PCA(P)(2025)20 - New PGDs for UTIs and Impetigo in NHS Pharmacy First Scotland
Published: 29/08/25
Introduction
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and impetigo under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
Background
The national PGDs for the treatment of UTIs and impetigo that have been in place since the launch of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland have been updated following a recent review and are now ready for release.
Detail
Changes to the existing PGDs have been reviewed by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) and signed off by NHS 24 for use in all Health Boards. The changes are listed in a summary table at the start of each PGD. Health Boards are responsible for local governance processes to approve, sign and publish these PGDs and have been asked to complete this as soon as they are able to do so.
Patient Group Directions
Updated PGDs have been developed nationally for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland to replace the existing PGDs for nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim (for the treatment of UTIs) and fusidic acid (for the treatment of impetigo). The Annex to this circular provides copies of the updated draft PGDs which have been approved by NHS 24 to allow pharmacists as much time as possible to familiarise themselves with the relevant details. In the meantime, as local governance procedures must be followed even when a PGD is agreed nationally, Health Boards will each approve, sign and publish these PGDs through the appropriate channels. Individual authorisation forms should be completed by pharmacists delivering NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and, where required, submitted to each Health Board area that they work in according to the usual process.
Training
Community pharmacy contractors should ensure that pharmacists complete the short updates to the e-learning modules for UTI and impetigo, now available on the NES TURAS Learn website at:
