Updates for all Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers (CPIP) and Trainees
Published: 23rd July 2026
Community Pharmacy Scotland is providing an update for Community Pharmacist Independent Prescribers (CPIPs) and trainees across Scotland. With more pharmacists becoming independent prescribers and further developments planned, this update outlines what different groups need to know and the actions required, if any.
Updates for all Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers (CPIP) and Trainees
CPS is pleased to have so many Community Pharmacist Employees becoming independent prescribers, with pharmacists either training or trained, experienced or new to the roles.
There are now a number of different groups of CPIPs and Trainees, and some changes and developments coming, so here is a current summary for all the different roles.
We are going to create an area on the NHS PFS Service area of the website, where all the up-to-date training information will be stored - look out for this in early August - and will add updates ongoing in the newsletter too.
There is a lot of detail here, so if you have any questions, contact us on enquiries@cps.scot.
Newly Qualified Community Pharmacist Employees with IP - registering from August 2026
Congratulations!
Next action for you is to get started on the next stage of your career; enjoy your new roles. Nothing more for now; arrangements for future training, including Post Registration Programme are in progress and more information will be shared as soon as it is available.
Post Registration Foundation CP Employee Pharmacists Registered for post-registration programme up to and including February 2026
Business as usual for you. Continue to complete your interim progress reports to be declared 'IP ready' and progress to the next available university IP course. For those already on an IP course - continue your courses which will include University CPIP Training, clinical skills and Teach & Treat.
Legacy CP Employee Pharmacists
We know this isn't everyone's favourite name, but we are using it here as it is recognised as a well understood group name!
This group is qualified pharmacists with experience and readiness to undertake an IP Course.
If you plan to undertake funded CPIP employee training, and have not yet started, get a DPP in place and then contact the NHS Board Team where you work (you can find the details at PSD Scotland IP pages) and let them know you want to be added to their list for nomination for a CPIP Funded training. They will arrange this and will get in touch when places come available.
If you do not plan to undertake funded CPIP employee training, then you don't have to do anything.
If you are already on PSD Scotland/CPS funded CPIP Employee training course, then it is business as usual for you; continue your course, which will include University CPIP Training, Clinical Skills and Teach and Treat.
If you are a qualified legacy CPIP employee and have not completed PSD Scotland/CPS funded CPIP employee training (you may have moved from another country or area of pharmacy, or have been self-funded or funded by your employer) the current requirements are to complete the Clinical Skills Days and Teach & Treat within two years of starting to deliver the NHS Pharmacy First Plus Service Scotland. You can apply to register for these courses by contacting enquiries@cps.scot Please be aware that the waiting list for these courses is currently 6-9 months.
That is it for now!
Look out for more details next week in the newsletter and on the new website area early next month.
There is a lot of detail here; if you have any questions, please get in touch on enquiries@cps.scot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Newly qualified Community Pharmacist Employees with IP, registering from August 2026, do not need to take any further action for now. The article says they should get started on the next stage of their career, with future training arrangements, including the Post Registration Programme, still in progress.
Source: Community Pharmacy Scotland
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Post Registration Foundation CP Employee Pharmacists registered for the post-registration programme up to and including February 2026 should continue completing interim progress reports to be declared “IP ready” and progress to the next available university IP course. Those already on an IP course should continue their course, including University CPIP Training, clinical skills and Teach & Treat.
Source: Community Pharmacy Scotland
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Legacy CP Employee Pharmacists who plan to undertake funded CPIP employee training, and have not yet started, should get a DPP in place and contact the NHS Board Team where they work to ask to be added to the list for nomination for CPIP funded training.
Source: Community Pharmacy Scotland
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Qualified legacy CPIP employees who have not completed PSD Scotland/CPS funded CPIP employee training must complete the Clinical Skills Days and Teach & Treat within two years of starting to deliver the NHS Pharmacy First Plus Service Scotland. The article also states that the waiting list for these courses is currently 6-9 months.
Source: Community Pharmacy Scotland
Latest update for Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers and trainees, including training pathways, next steps and upcoming support.