CPS Snapshot - 6th August 2026
Published: 6th August 2026
A weekly snapshot of activity across CPS, highlighting recent work on policy, systems, and engagement across the network.
In the past week, the CPS team have:
Engaged this quarter's Scottish PMR liaison group meeting, where Government, NHS, contractors and PMR providers come together on shared interests.
Caught up with our colleagues in Public Services Delivery Scotland on plans for this year's post-registration pharmacist development programme
Fed into the National Pharmacy Workforce Forum advisory group, looking at future development pathways and experiential learning plans
Continued our involvement in the Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways work, working closely with the newly appointed officers for communications and information governance.
Gordon from the team joined BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime show to share our thoughts on GP Walk-in centres and how pharmacy could, with the right support and funding, contribute to the aims of the policy.
Pharmacy teams should use the CPS online PVG application process and securely destroy any outdated paper PVG forms.
Practical guidance to help pharmacy teams avoid courier collection issues and ensure prescription bags are collected correctly.
Scottish Government updates prescription stationery arrangements for non-medical prescribers using GP IT systems from August 2026.
Thanks to everyone who made it along to our recent "Ask Me Anything" event on NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, we hope you found it useful!
Our colleagues at Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS, formerly NES) have highlighted this resource as being of use to community pharmacy teams
There is currently a public facing programme running across Scotland called “Gear has changed”.
Last Thursday we held an Ask Me Anything session on PFS and PFS+, giving contractors and their teams the chance to put questions directly to the CPS team
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Congratulations again on your recent qualification, and the start of your career as a registered Pharmacist!
The SPPN newsletter is a useful way for pharmacy teams to keep up with what is happening across the pain network
Community Pharmacy Scotland is supporting to promote an upcoming webinar from colleagues at Public Services Delivery Scotland.
With just over three weeks to go, CPS thanks Charity Golf Day sponsors and encourages final team entries to support Blood Bikes Scotland.
A weekly snapshot of CPS activity including policy work, digital developments and stakeholder engagement across community pharmacy.
The Serious Shortage Protocol for Creon® 10000 has been extended until 2 October 2026. Review the updated SSP arrangements.
Community Pharmacy Scotland is keen to showcase examples of how pharmacy teams are helping to reduce medicines waste across Scotland as part of work we involved in nationally.
Disclosure Scotland has published its June 2026 newsletter, covering two important updates for PVG scheme members and customers.
A weekly snapshot of CPS activity including policy work, digital developments and stakeholder engagement across community pharmacy.
The Yellow Card Scheme in the UK is a system for collecting and monitoring information about suspected adverse drug reactions and safety concerns related to medicines and medical devices.
We have run a short series of articles on the NHS PFS Service over recent weeks, focussing on some specific aspects of the service.
One item has been removed from Part 7B of the Scottish Drug Tariff from 1st August 2026. Read the latest update.
An update on August 2026 Part 7 publishing timelines following early finalisation of February adjusted prices. Key dates explained.
Download the prescription collection dates for July to December 2026 and find guidance on courier collections, bags and support.
Five weeks to go until the CPS Charity Golf Day 2026. Enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a raffle prize or support Blood Bikes Scotland.
This week, CPS Policy and Development Pharmacist Gordon Winter joined BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme to discuss what the data means for community pharmacy and the wider primary care landscape.
Six years of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, with more than 1.9 million people using the service and continued expansion of independent prescribing.
A national workforce survey will take place in September 2026 to support community pharmacy workforce planning across Scotland.
Latest update for Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers and trainees, including training pathways, next steps and upcoming support.
Find patient information resources, Approved List and guidance for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The CPS Snapshot provides members with a regular overview of the work Community Pharmacy Scotland is undertaking on behalf of the sector. It highlights engagement with stakeholders, policy development, service improvement work and ongoing projects that support community pharmacy in Scotland.
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Updates include policy work, service development, system reviews, and engagement with partners across the pharmacy sector.
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- We have already had some informal conversations and some applications for our open Policy Officer (Pharmacist) role - take a look if you haven't already seen this!
- Graham presented the findings of his research on use of the CPS Shortage reporter to the team working on refreshing it, which has helped us really understand which improvements will best support our members. Maximising the use of this tool provides us with crucial evidence on medicines pricing that can inform price adjustments - so keep an eye out for some developments in the coming weeks (including a name change to something a bit more "Ronseal")!
- We took some new Scottish Government Pharmacy colleagues out to visit the team at Omnicare Tollcross in Edinburgh so that they could see all of the hard work that pharmacy teams put into supporting local communities, highlighting areas that our teams in turn need to be supported in.
- Adam and Gordon continued the work kicked off last week to review the PCR requirements for a supplier review.
- Digital Prescribing and Dispensing work continues to develop - this week's conversations were tackling the systems, processes and governance around prescription cancellations and our thoughts internally are very much turning to the support and resource that will be required for implementation.
- Adam met with Skills Development Scotland to understand what is changing in the world of skills and in particular apprenticeships - the entire system is being overhauled and we are keen that our members are able to benefit from this in the coming years.
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You can follow weekly snapshots and updates shared through CPS communications, including the website and newsletter.
Policy & Development Pharmacist

One week until the CPS Charity Golf Day. Help us raise more for Blood Bikes Scotland through raffle prizes and donations.