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.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
APTUK members can join a live webinar exploring community pharmacy technician roles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our Chief Executive Matt Barclay and Policy & Public Relations Pharmacist Sarah Staddon are at #SNPConference in Aberdeen today
Scottish Government has officially launched a pilot for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in community pharmacy settings.
This year’s two-week Pharmacist campaign focuses on personal and workplace wellbeing and takes place Monday 2nd – Sunday 15th November.
CPS recently wrote to you all, inviting you to join some WhatsApp groups, and asking for details of the person who looks after the finance in your pharmacy/organisation.
Updated SDCEP guidance helps pharmacists and other healthcare professionals assess and manage patients presenting with acute dental problems.
Matt spent some time at the Pharmacy Show in Birmingham this week and, as ever, it was a useful opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and spend time talking to people from across community pharmacy.
Sarah Staddon is back at CPS!! Read her blog on Motherhood, Media Interviews and Everything In Between.
The Drug Tariff Part 11 discount clawback rate has been reset to 6.31%, effective from 1st September 2026.
Community pharmacy teams are asked to display the Be the Early Bird poster and support the Scottish Government’s cancer awareness campaign.
Locum pharmacists in Scotland must meet new legal requirements under the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
Correction to Creon® SSP information: SSP061 is extended until 8th January 2027, while SSP060 expired on 2nd October 2026.
Today, I represented Community Pharmacy Scotland on BBC Scotland television and BBC Radio Scotland, discussing the availability of private flu vaccinations in community pharmacy and how people can prepare for winter
Check out our Monthly Planner: key dates, deadlines and events for community pharmacy in Scotland, all in one place and updated throughout the month.
Newly qualified Pharmacist Independent Prescribers are invited to share their experiences as part of a University of Strathclyde study.
The latest Scottish Pain Pharmacy Network newsletter highlights pain management developments, CPD opportunities and prescribing resources.
Our colleagues at the GPhC Inspectorate have asked us to pass on a friendly reminder as to the procedures required for Community Pharmacies to appropriately deal with Private Prescriptions for Controlled Drugs.
If you have completed your Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Training on the Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) / PSD Scotland (formerly NES) Programme, a Teach & Treat (T&T) session at one of the hubs is included as part of your programme.
Seriouse Shortage Protocols for selected Estradot® patches and Creon® capsules have been extended until 8th January 2027.
Practical guidance to help pharmacy teams avoid courier collection issues and ensure prescription bags are collected correctly.
October 2026 Scottish Drug Tariff changes including Part 7 additions, deletions and updates to adjusted price arrangements.
The Sustainable Prescribing and Therapeutics Programme, are seeking examples of best practice in effective medicines use and approaches on reducing medicines waste within different healthcare settings
New drug death figures reinforce the need for a nationally commissioned substance use service and a stronger role for community pharmacy.
Updates to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List from October 2026, including new formulary entries and eczema products.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has agreed a funding settlement with the Scottish Government for 2026/27, providing increased funding certainty for Scotland's community pharmacy network.
Details of the 2026/27 community pharmacy funding package, including Global Sum, guaranteed funding and remuneration arrangements.
The Scottish Parliament recently debated the growing challenge of health misinformation, including its impact on public confidence in healthcare and vaccination programmes.
Important information on Post Registration Foundation Training and Community Pharmacist Independent Prescriber training opportunities.
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

CP Independent Prescribers and trainees should tell CPS about employment or other changes to keep their contact records up to date.