CPS Elections 2025 Are Live
Published: 15/01/25

The Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Elections 2025 are now live. If you are one of our eligible members (see below for the definition of eligible) nominations are now open for Community Pharmacy Health Board Committee (CP(HB)).
Background: CPS serves as a voice of community pharmacy owners and their teams across Scotland. Our mission: is to support these essential community pharmacy healthcare providers in delivering pharmaceutical care services on behalf of NHS Scotland, ensuring their contributions align with national and local priorities. A crucial part of this mission is our elected committees, ranging from local groups to the CPS Board, all of which play an important role in shaping the future of community pharmacy.
If you’re reading this and you are an eligible member, now is the time to consider standing for election and actively contributing to the advancement of our profession. As of the 13th January 2025, we are now inviting our eligible independent pharmacy, owner members to seek nomination for their local Community Pharmacy Health Board Committee (CP(HB)).
Eligible member definition:
Independent eligible member = pharmacist who is a: director, superintendent or pharmacy owner.
Company Chemists Association (CCA) eligible members: The Scottish Management Group decide who will represent on each of the committees for CCA members.
Why do the CPS Elections matter?
Local committees are the backbone of CPS. These groups ensure that community pharmacy remains innovative, responsive, and collaborative across 14 health boards in Scotland. By joining a committee, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Collaborate with fellow pharmacists, share ideas, and shape services in partnership with local Health Boards.
Drive change in your community by developing and delivering impactful services, such as vaccination programmes and needle exchange initiatives.
For many members, being part of a committee provides invaluable networking opportunities. It encourages collaboration, bridges gaps between professionals, and offers a platform to share experiences. The work done at the local level doesn’t just benefit patients and communities - it influences the future of community pharmacy on a national scale.
The upcoming CPS 2025 Elections present an exciting opportunity for greater involvement and representation within the profession. As we begin 2025, key priorities like negotiation for the 25/26 contractual framework will take centre stage. At the same time, the elections will offer members a chance to contribute directly to shaping the future of community pharmacy in Scotland.
This year’s elections include opportunities for newly formed committees and associate members. We encourage all eligible members to consider how they can bring their unique perspectives to these discussions. Your voice matters, and your participation can drive meaningful change.
Why should you get involved????
If you’re passionate about community pharmacy and want to make a difference, joining a CPS committee is a great way to contribute. Here’s what you’ll gain:
A deeper understanding of how pharmacy services function at local and national levels.
A platform to influence change, from negotiating new services to enhancing existing ones.
A supportive network of peers to share knowledge, collaborate, and grow with.
A wide range of perspectives ensures that decisions are well-rounded and beneficial for the entire network. Your participation helps secure professional and financial progress for community pharmacy.
The CPS 2025 elections are more than just a formality, they’re a chance to actively shape the future of community pharmacy in Scotland. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or new to the profession, your voice and perspective are invaluable.
Consider standing for election and playing your part in ensuring that community pharmacy continues to thrive and deliver essential services to patients across Scotland.
For more information about the elections and how to get involved, visit our website here, or contact us on 0131 467 7766 or at elections@cps.scot.

This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
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Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, announced this week the Programme for Government for 2025/26. He stated that "this programme is focused on delivery and hope. Delivery in response to the challenges we know people are facing in their everyday lives.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.
The current Public Health Scotland poster campaign topic is Lyme Disease. The campaign aims to increase awareness of Lyme disease; how it is transmitted (via ticks) and vital signs and symptoms to look out for. Posters should be displayed within your pharmacy.
This article includes guidance around the process of submitting claims for the generic version of Varenicline. This applies to dispensing against prescriptions and the use of the newly re-launched PGD.
As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these.
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The NHS circular PCA(P)(2025)08 informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of new arrangements in place for the procurement and reimbursement of Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage insect bites and associated symptoms and how to access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced draft legislation has been laid out, with a view to the legislation coming into force for Hub and Spoke dispensing between different community pharmacy legal entities in October 2025 (The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025).
The Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Board has accepted the Scottish Government’s financial offer detailing the initial focus on the reimbursement arrangements within the community pharmacy funding envelope for the financial year 2025/26.
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards the details of the reimbursement arrangements as part of the community pharmacy funding settlement for 2025/26.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is consulting on proposals to increase registration fees for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy premises over a two year period.
Due to ongoing discussions with PHS the final round of Adjusted Prices for April are likely to be agreed and published on Thursday 1st May 2025. This will result in the May Part 7 file being agreed and published slightly later than the 1st of May.
The CPS 2025 Election has now concluded. We’d like to thank everyone who got involved. We have some new faces and some familiar ones. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new CPS Board for 2025 - 2028.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
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Our colleagues at NSS have asked us to pass on the following message:
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Robert Gordon University (RGU) have developed a qualification aimed at post-registration pharmacy technicians across the UK entitled: BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.
You will play a key part in leading the pharmacy team, working across the healthcare area and dispensary, to meet patients’ needs. Your focus each day will be to look after your team, deliver a great service to our patients, through managing the workload and people to deliver on the operational requirements of the position.

Digital Communications Officer
The Chief Medical Officer has asked us to share the following advice with the network: Community pharmacists should not supply antiviral medicines in primary care on presentation of a GP10 prescription form.