New Courier Packs Arriving in Pharmacies

Published: 18/12/25

Your new allocation of courier bags will begin arriving from today. Please be on the lookout for delivery.

Once received, ensure the bags are stored securely and do not use them before the scheduled collection on Thursday, 22 January 2026.

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Please note that these courier bags will not include a Parcelforce/Royal Mail address label. Instead, each bag will display only the cipher code and a pre-printed scanning centre address label. At the point of collection, the driver will provide the Parcelforce/Royal Mail label showing the Gyle Square address and will stick this to the bag. Check the address on the Parcelforce/Royal Mail label against the address label on the courier bag. 

Reminder

The collection scheduled for 8th January 2026 will proceed exactly as usual, using the old courier bags. If you need more bags, please contact Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS). Please do not use any of your new allocation. The new process will take effect from the 22nd January 2026 collection onwards. 

Please ensure that your teams check that the correct labels have been applied at the time of collection. 

What should your team keep doing? 

If your team know in advance that they will be unable to have the bag ready on the scheduled date due to unforeseen circumstances, or if they find that they are not ready on the day, please contact us on 0131 467 7766 as quickly as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made. 

Please record the tracking number from the bag, as this assists us should we need to follow anything up with the depots.

Where possible, at the beginning of each month, please keep a note of the figures that go onto the GP34 (yellow) form. This will help if we need to contact you in the event of a delayed collection. 

As always, a valid Driver ID must be seen before handing over the Parcelforce bag to the driver. 

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0131 467 7766 or email pharmacy.services@cps.scot.

Prescription Collection Courier Service Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When will the new courier bags arrive?

  Deliveries start today (18th December 2025). Store them securely until the scheduled collection on 22 January 2026.

• Can we use the new bags before 22 January 2026?

  No, they must not be used before the scheduled collection date.

• What has changed with the labels?

  Bags now show only a cipher code and scanning centre address. The driver will attach the Parcelforce/Royal Mail label at collection.

• What if we can’t have the bag ready on time?

  Contact us on 0131 467 7766 immediately for alternative arrangements.

• Do we still need to check driver ID?

  Yes, always verify a valid Driver ID before handing over the Parcelforce bag.

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