CEO Insights: Community Pharmacy: Scotland’s Frontline in December

Published: 09/12/25

December is the busiest month of the year for Scotland’s community pharmacy network. While many people are winding down for the festive season, pharmacy teams are stepping up, dispensing more prescriptions than any other month and delivering vital NHS services like Pharmacy First when the health system is under immense pressure. 

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Community pharmacies process over 5–6 million prescriptions every 21 working days across Scotland, from more than 1,200 pharmacies. December consistently tops the charts for prescription volume, reflecting seasonal illness, repeat medication needs, and the additional complexity of holiday periods. In 2023/24, 114.4 million prescription items were dispensed in Scotland, a 3.7% increase on the previous year and part of a decade-long upward trend.  

This increase isn’t just about numbers, it’s about impact. Every prescription filled, every consultation delivered, every piece of advice given helps keep patients well and reduces strain on GP practices and hospitals. 

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland has become a cornerstone of primary care, and its value is crystal clear in winter. In 2024/25, 36% of Scotland’s population - almost 1.94 million people - used Pharmacy First at least once, a 56% increase since 2021/22. Consultations under the service have soared, with 4.2 million consultations in 2023, up 60% in three years. 

These consultations aren’t just advice, they often include treatment or onward referral, preventing escalation and easing pressure on GPs and A&E and the wider health system. Community Pharmacy Unscheduled Supply (CPUS) also plays a vital role, supporting 11% of the population when prescriptions can’t be obtained, such as over weekends and public holidays. 

Winter pressures are real. Emergency departments see surges, GP appointments are sought-after, and hospital beds are under strain. Community pharmacy absorbs demand, protects capacity elsewhere, and does so with professionalism and resilience.  

This accessibility is critical. Pharmacies are Scotland’s most convenient walk-in health service (a model curiously being mooted not in community pharmacy, but that is for another blog): trusted, local, and increasingly equipped with independent prescribers. They deliver care closer to home, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and supporting wider health and social care goals. 

Behind every counter is a team making a difference - quietly, consistently, and at scale. In December, they are not just dispensing medicines; they are delivering care, safeguarding access, and underpinning the health of Scotland. 

As we head into the festive season, let’s recognise this contribution. Community pharmacy is not an optional extra, it is an essential part of the NHS, a lifeline for patients, and a pressure valve for the system. With the right investment and support, it can do even more. 

It just remains for me to give my thanks to our Community Pharmacy teams for their support and for going above and beyond for the public in Scotland, not just at Christmas but all year round. 

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