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.
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.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
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.
Applications are open until 30 September 2026 for the Post-Registration Programme for Pharmacists (Scotland).
A reminder for contractors to review PVG Scheme membership records and ensure relevant pharmacy staff are correctly linked to their employer.
A new Video Remote Interpreting pilot will launch in community pharmacies on 5 October 2026 to support BSL users accessing services.
Guidance on the 2026/27 winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme, including eligibility, timings, vaccine products and delivery arrangements.
The opportunities and risks for community pharmacy as Scotland considers major NHS structural reform.
New GPhC advice highlights key considerations for newly qualified prescribing pharmacists, employers and managers.
The opportunities and risks for community pharmacy as Scotland considers major NHS structural reform.
Please find below the NHS Circulars PCA(P)(2026)14 and PCA(P)(2026)15, advising that Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are in place to help mitigate supply issues affecting lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets.
Our colleagues at the British Society of Pharmacy Sleep Services have spent some time with us to highlight and explain their participation in AWAKE Check study and tool.
The Community Pharmacy Network included in the Scottish Government Health and Care Improving Flow Plan.
NHS 24 is promoting student health resources covering NHS services, vaccinations, mental health, sexual health and primary care.
The programme (Supporting documents - Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 - gov.scot) proposes radical reshaping of Scotland’s public services, focusing on structural reform rather than just new spending or isolated policy pledges.
Community Pharmacy Scotland’s response to the UK-wide consultation on Tobacco and Vapes: Packaging, Appearance and Display.
The GPhC is reviewing the route to registration in Great Britain for pharmacists who qualified outside the EEA, the EFTA countries and Switzerland.
The CPS Charity Golf Day 2026 raised a record-breaking £10,063.32 for Blood Bikes Scotland.
Over recent weeks we have seen a growing number of enquiries from members of the public asking us to provide the NHS PFS service, with the pattern most pronounced in the evenings and at weekends.
Our colleagues at PSDS have shared with us the link to their latest podcast, where the guests speak through early careers development for Pharmacists in Scotland
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

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.