Gear Has Changed Programme

Published: 27th August 2026

There is currently a public facing programme running across Scotland called  “Gear has changed”.

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The aim of the programme is to highlight the changes in illicit drugs available, the level of adulteration, and in particular the introduction of nitazenes. The project is funded and sponsored by Ethypharm.

There is an opportunity for community pharmacies to participate in this programme by displaying posters to widen the reach of the message to patients and the general public. There is a QR code on the posters which can be scanned, and leads to a landing page where the person making the scan can add a postcode and be directed to local services and support in that area.

For those pharmacies participating, posters will be distributed directly from Ethypharm to community pharmacies across Scotland for use as the pharmacy owners, superintendents and pharmacists deem appropriate within individual businesses. A communication explaining the details will accompany the posters. The posters will arrive from August 31st 2026.

Please note that this project does not form part of the NHS Contract, is not part of the PHS Public Health Poster Campaign, and the decision to participate sits with the pharmacy owner, superintendent and pharmacist in each business.

If you have any questions, please contact enquiries@cps.scot

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is this part of the NHS Contract or the PHS Public Health Poster Campaign?

  No. The Gear Has Changed programme is a separate public facing campaign funded and sponsored by Ethypharm. It does not form part of the NHS Contract and is not connected to the PHS Public Health Poster Campaign. There is no requirement to take part, and the decision sits with the pharmacy owner, superintendent and pharmacist in each business.

• What do I need to do to take part, and when will the posters arrive?

  Nothing needs to be ordered or arranged. Posters will be distributed directly from Ethypharm to community pharmacies across Scotland, arriving from 31 August 2026, along with a communication explaining the details. Where a pharmacy chooses to take part, the posters can be displayed as the owner, superintendent and pharmacist consider appropriate for that business. Pharmacies that would rather not display them do not need to do anything.

• What happens when a patient scans the QR code on the poster?

  The QR code takes the person to a landing page where they can enter their postcode and be directed to local services and support in their area. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of changes in the illicit drugs currently available, the level of adulteration, and in particular the introduction of nitazenes.

  If it would help, two other questions worth covering are why an industry sponsored campaign is being shared through CPS, and whether staff need any briefing before the posters go up.