PCA(P)(2026)04 - New Patient Group Direction for Skin Inflammation

Published: 11th March 2026

Introduction

The Scottish Government has released Circular PCA(P)(2026)04 to advise Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of a new Patient Group Direction (PGD) being added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.

Background

NHS Circular PCA (P)(2020) 13, issued on 1 July 2020, enclosed Directions for the Health Board Additional Pharmaceutical Services (NHS Pharmacy First Scotland) Directions 2020 which came into force as of 29 July 2020.

Five common clinical conditions, supported by PGDs, are currently included in the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service: uncomplicated UTIs, impetigo, shingles, skin conditions and hay fever.

Details

The new skin inflammation PGD has been signed off by NHS 24 for use in all Health Boards.

Health Boards are responsible for local governance processes to approve, sign and publish this PGD. Boards are asked to complete this as soon as they can do so and by 31 March 2026 at the latest.

Community pharmacy contractors and pharmacy teams should ensure they are familiar with the new arrangements detailed as follows:

Patient Group Direction (PGD)

A PGD has been developed nationally for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland for the treatment of skin inflammation using hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment. This PGD allows community pharmacists to treat additional individuals who are not currently eligible for the standard treatment due to over the counter (OTC) licensing restrictions.

Annex A to this circular provides a copy of the specimen PGD, assessment form and GP notification form which has been approved by NHS 24. Community pharmacists are encouraged 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 this PGD through the appropriate channels.

An ‘Individual Authorisation Form’ should be completed by pharmacists delivering NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and submitted, where required, to each Health Board area that they work in according to the usual process.

Training

Community pharmacy contractors should ensure that their pharmacists complete the e‑learning module “Inflammatory skin conditions for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland”, now available on the NES TURAS Learn website.

IT roll‑out

All Patient Medication Record (PMR) suppliers have confirmed that pharmacy IT software will support pharmacy teams to deliver this additional common clinical condition from 1 March 2026, but pharmacists should not use the ‘Skin Inflammation’ Universal Claim Framework (UCF) module until the Individual Authorisation Form for this PGD has been completed.

Community Pharmacy Scotland has been consulted on the contents of this Circular and the Scottish Drug Tariff is being amended.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - New PGD for Skin Inlammation (NHS Pharmacy First Scotland)

• What is circular PCA(P)(2026)04 advising?

  This circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of a new Patient Group Direction (PGD) being added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service for the treatment of skin inflammation.

• What is the new NHS Pharmacy First Scotland PGD for?

  The PGD is for the treatment of skin inflammation using hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. The PGD allows community pharmacists to treat additional individuals who are not currently eligible for standard treatment due to over‑the‑counter (OTC) licensing restrictions.

• Who has approved the new PGD?

  The new skin inflammation PGD has been approved on behalf of NHS Scotland by NHS 24

• Does the PGD apply automatically across Scotland?

  No. Although the PGD has been agreed nationally, each Health Board must approve, sign and publish the PGD locally.

• By when must Health Boards approve the PGD?

  Health Boards are asked to complete approval, signing and publication as soon as they can and by 31 March 2026 at the latest.

• What does the PGD allow pharmacists to do?

  The PGD allows community pharmacists to treat additional individuals who are not currently eligible for standard treatment due to over‑the‑counter (OTC) licensing restrictions.

• Do pharmacists need to complete any authorisation before using the PGD?

  Yes. An Individual Authorisation Form must be completed by pharmacists delivering NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and submitted, where required, to each Health Board area they work in.

• Is training required for this PGD?

  Yes. Community pharmacy contractors should ensure pharmacists complete the e‑learning module “Inflammatory skin conditions for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland”, available on the NES TURAS Learn website.