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 communitypharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions(PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment ofacute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) andimpetigo under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
Background
The national PGDs for the treatment of UTIs andimpetigo that have been in place since the launch of NHSPharmacy First Scotland have been updated following arecent review and are now ready for release.
Detail
Changes to the existing PGDs have been reviewedby the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) andsigned off by NHS 24 for use in all Health Boards. Thechanges are listed in a summary table at the start of eachPGD.
Health Boards are responsible for local governanceprocesses to approve, sign and publish these PGDs andhave been asked to complete this as soon as they are ableto do so.
Patient Group Directions
Updated PGDs have been developed nationally forNHS Pharmacy First Scotland to replace the existing PGDsfor nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim (for the treatment ofUTIs) and fusidic acid (for the treatment of impetigo).
The Annex to this circular provides copies of the updated draft PGDs whichhave been approved by NHS 24 to allow pharmacists as much time as possible tofamiliarise themselves with the relevant details. In the meantime, as local governanceprocedures must be followed even when a PGD is agreed nationally, Health Boardswill each approve, sign and publish these PGDs through the appropriate channels.
Individual authorisation forms should be completed by pharmacists deliveringNHS Pharmacy First Scotland and, where required, submitted to each Health Boardarea that they work in according to the usual process.
Training
Community pharmacy contractors should ensure that pharmacists complete theshort updates to the e-learning modules for shingles and skin infections, now availableon the NES TURAS Learn website at:
UTIs:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland | Turas | Learn
Impetigo:
