Public Health Scotland: Drug Tariff Pages
Published: 07/02/24

You may have noticed changes to the Public Health Scotland Drug tariff pages (Introduction and Contents - Scottish Drug Tariff - Services - Public Health Scotland).
There’s a 10 minute survey where you can give your views on ways to improve the production, organisation and delivery of the information (CPS will also be respond). There’s also an opportunity to express interest in taking part in a (compensated) 90 minute interview on the changes.
Below is the information Public Health Scotland have shared with us:
Public Health Scotland extend an invitation to community pharmacists and pharmacy staff across Scotland to actively participate in shaping the future of the Scottish Drug Tariff service through a survey and/or interviews (compensated).
As part of Public Health Scotland’s broader digital transformation initiative, they aspire to introduce innovative platforms and channels for effective communication with key audiences. These efforts aim to empower individuals to access and utilise the agency’s data, resources, and information, thereby fostering health improvements and reducing inequalities.
In alignment with this objective, Public Health Scotland's research partner, User Vision, invites you to contribute to the research aimed at shaping the future SDT service. The research comprises two components:
Survey: We kindly request your insights via a brief survey designed to gather perspectives from Scottish Drug Tariff users across the country. It will require less than 10 minutes of your time and can be accessed through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGM3J6M.
Interviews: User Vision are conducting 90-minute interviews during the week commencing February 19th. These sessions will be held online via Zoom (on laptop/desktop), and participants will receive compensation for their time (£120). To express your interest in participating in one of these sessions, please contact User Vision's Kirsty Simpson at: kirsty@uservision.co.uk, indicating your availability for that week.
Your valuable input will help shape the future direction of the Scottish Drug Tariff service. Thank you for your consideration and contribution to this important initiative.
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We can now confirm that Pharmacy Technicians will be included under the updated definition of ‘regulated roles’ and will therefore require PVG Scheme membership from 1st April 2025.
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Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, announced this week the Programme for Government for 2025/26. He stated that "this programme is focused on delivery and hope. Delivery in response to the challenges we know people are facing in their everyday lives.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.
The current Public Health Scotland poster campaign topic is Lyme Disease. The campaign aims to increase awareness of Lyme disease; how it is transmitted (via ticks) and vital signs and symptoms to look out for. Posters should be displayed within your pharmacy.
This article includes guidance around the process of submitting claims for the generic version of Varenicline. This applies to dispensing against prescriptions and the use of the newly re-launched PGD.
As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
The NHS circular PCA(P)(2025)08 informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of new arrangements in place for the procurement and reimbursement of Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage insect bites and associated symptoms and how to access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced draft legislation has been laid out, with a view to the legislation coming into force for Hub and Spoke dispensing between different community pharmacy legal entities in October 2025 (The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025).
The Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Board has accepted the Scottish Government’s financial offer detailing the initial focus on the reimbursement arrangements within the community pharmacy funding envelope for the financial year 2025/26.
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards the details of the reimbursement arrangements as part of the community pharmacy funding settlement for 2025/26.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is consulting on proposals to increase registration fees for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy premises over a two year period.
Due to ongoing discussions with PHS the final round of Adjusted Prices for April are likely to be agreed and published on Thursday 1st May 2025. This will result in the May Part 7 file being agreed and published slightly later than the 1st of May.
The CPS 2025 Election has now concluded. We’d like to thank everyone who got involved. We have some new faces and some familiar ones. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new CPS Board for 2025 - 2028.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
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Our colleagues at NSS have asked us to pass on the following message:
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Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked us to share the following update regarding the COVID-19 spring vaccine poster for people with a weakened immune system.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest events, webinars and Independent Prescribing news within Community Pharmacy for the 17th April 2025.
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Robert Gordon University (RGU) have developed a qualification aimed at post-registration pharmacy technicians across the UK entitled: BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.
You will play a key part in leading the pharmacy team, working across the healthcare area and dispensary, to meet patients’ needs. Your focus each day will be to look after your team, deliver a great service to our patients, through managing the workload and people to deliver on the operational requirements of the position.

Head of Services
The Chief Medical Officer has asked us to share the following advice with the network: Community pharmacists should not supply antiviral medicines in primary care on presentation of a GP10 prescription form.