Details for CPIP Employee Pharmacists on CPS/NES Courses, Qualifying February 2025
Published: 27/02/25
Congratulations to everyone who has recently passed their IP Courses. Well done!
Once you have had the chance to celebrate, here are some details for next steps.
The Universities will confirm your qualification with the GPhC
You need to contact the GPhC to arrange to pay the relevant fees.
Contact the Community Pharmacy Lead at your NHS Board. Details can be found at Community Pharmacy – A hub for all information relating to community pharmacy
They will order your Rx Pads; these are printed on a 6-week cycle for all new prescribers (one week CP, one optom etc) so depending on where the cycle is, the Rx can take up to 8 weeks to arrive. Please be patient - we know you want your Rx asap. Ways to speed this up have been investigated, but there is no immediate, faster solution.
They will also let you know of local arrangements and requirements for sign off; these are Board specific and form part of the Board Governance of the service. This has to be completed before you can start delivering the service.
Let the relevant people in the pharmacy where you work know, so any specific arrangements they have can get underway. If your pharmacy does not already offer the service, once you are ready to start delivering, the sign up to the service needs to be completed. The details can be found in this circular -Primary and Community Care Directorate
For Clinical Skills and Teach & Treat Courses
You do not need to take any action currently.
As per the NHS Pharmacy First Plus service specification, pharmacists undertaking independent prescribing training courses are offered a one-day consultation skills course, two days clinical assessment skills course and a common clinical conditions application to practice module. Invitations to attend are based on university course cohorts and pharmacists should wait to be invited to attend. Many of you will have already completed some or all of these courses.
Teach & Treat Session are completed after the Clinical Skills days, and details will be sent directly to you from NES in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please contact us on enquiries@cps.scot.
SSP 086 for Latanoprost/Timolol eye drops is active 19 Dec 2025–6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.
SSP 085 for Nifedipine 60mg tablets is active from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.
Serious Shortage Protocol for nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 30mg MR tablets in effect from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Full guidance for pharmacists.
Join Market Street Pharmacy in Haddington as a Pharmacy Technician. Competitive pay, benefits, and flexible hours. Apply by 1 Feb 2026.
Update on December 2025 adjusted prices and January 2026 Scottish Drug Tariff Part 7 publishing. Key dates and contact details included.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Check CPS festive holiday opening times for December 2025 and January 2026. Contact us via enquiries@cps.scot for urgent queries.
With rising demand, expanded prescribing services, and ambitious plans for the 2030s, the network needs resources to deliver enhanced care.
Join NES’s free Return to Practice course for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on 23 January 2026. Refresh skills and build confidence.
UK pharmacy law changes are coming. Learn about new RP and SP roles and key dates, including a major update starting 7 January 2026.
New courier bags are arriving in pharmacies. Store securely and follow updated label process starting 22 January 2026.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
An exciting opportunity has arisen, we now require a commercially focused and patient orientated relief pharmacist.
T&K Brown Pharmacy are looking for a Dispensary Assistant / Pharmacy Technician
Our colleagues at Strathclyde University are undertaking the following research project
We are currently reviewing future budgets and training capacity requirements for CPS/NES Funded Employee CPIP Training. To do this, we need a clear picture of how many CP employees in the network have not yet completed their training.
Cases of flu are rising at a higher rate than in previous years, with hospitals across Scotland reporting increasing numbers of patients with symptoms of flu.
CEO Matt Barclay reflects on how community pharmacies support Scotland through the busiest month of the year.
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches,
Pharmacy professionals in NHS Scotland are encouraged to explore an exciting research development opportunity from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO).
CP IP trainees on June 25, Sept 25, and Jan 26 courses, return your CPS funding form ASAP. No action needed if already submitted. Contact enquiries@cps.scot.
CPS is reviewing budgets and training needs. Complete and return the CP IP Training form by January 5, 2026. Contact enquiries@cps.scot for help.
Discover CPS’s 2026 vision to expand pharmacy consultations, boost prescriber access, and improve women’s health services across Scotland.
Support NHS 24’s ‘Powered by People’ campaign this winter. Share resources promoting digital health services as the first point of care.
The community pharmacy network in Scotland already offers up consultations for minor illnesses, usually without the need for an appointment, across all 1,200+ sites as part of the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
Four new items added to Part 7 of the drug tariff for December 2025. Check the latest updates and contact CPS for more information.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
Last Thursday the CPS team held a webinar which covered the recent changes to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland remuneration, and gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions of the team.

Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, 8th January 2026. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.