ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election
Published: 02/09/25
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Today, Tuesday 2nd September 2025 Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) launched its 2026 Manifesto which focuses on delivering healthier communities across Scotland, setting out CPS’s ambitions for how Scotland’s 1,200 plus community pharmacies can help transform the nation’s health, as close to home as possible.
The manifesto calls on policymakers to recognise the role that community pharmacy teams can play in preventing, detecting, and treating ill health. With 90% of adults visiting a pharmacy at least once last year, and over 1.9 million people accessing NHS Pharmacy First Scotland in the last year alone, community pharmacy is uniquely positioned to tackle some of Scotland’s most urgent health challenges, taking pressure on an already stained National Healthcare Service.
CPS has identified four policy priorities where investment and commitment from the Scottish Government are needed:
Preventing ill health: commissioning pharmacies to deliver a national NHS weight loss service, and establishing a national substance use service with centralised funding.
Detecting conditions earlier: establishing community pharmacy led diabetes and cardiovascular screening programmes to identify at-risk individuals sooner.
Treating more patients in the community: increasing investment in NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, extending prescribing capability, and commissioning a suite of women’s health services.
Building the right infrastructure: investing in digital systems/ IT infrastructure, connectivity, and paperless dispensing to enable seamless integration with the wider NHS.
Commenting on the launch, Chief Executive Matt Barclay said:
“Pharmacies are at the heart of their communities, trusted by patients and proven to deliver accessible healthcare without the need for an appointment. With the right investment, pharmacy teams can take on roles in tackling obesity, reducing drug deaths, preventing long-term conditions, and supporting women’s health. This manifesto is our call to action for all political parties to recognise the power of community pharmacy and work with us to delivering a healthier Scotland.”
By prioritising these areas, the Scottish Government can unlock the full potential of community pharmacy whilst relieving pressure on the NHS and improving health outcomes across Scotland.
The full manifesto can be accessed online at: www.cps.scot/manifesto
For further information, please contact:
Community Pharmacy Scotland
📧 enquiries@cps.scot
📞 0131 467 7766
🏢 42 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3NH
Ask Your Pharmacist Week highlights the advice, treatment and support available through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.