Programme for Government 2025-2026
Published: 08/05/25

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. Hope because we are making the most of Scotland’s vast resources to deliver higher standards of living and an improved quality of life for people in all corners of this land."
The programme details health care commitments such as reducing the time people wait for treatment by ensuring people can see their GP and get cared for in their community. Expanding on this the programme states the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service will be expanded further, enabling community pharmacists to treat a greater number of clinical conditions and preventing the need for a GP appointment.
The preventative health agenda also highlighted the commitment to fully implement the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards with the development of a national service specification to help tackle drug and alcohol related deaths across Scotland.
Both of these commitments are areas Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) shares strategic ambition with. We have seen in the recent Scottish Government NHS Operational Improvement Plan that the community pharmacy network has been recognised for its invaluable delivery of care in the community. The aim is to build on this further as we see the balance of care shifting into the community setting where community pharmacies are already well established and relied upon by the public. CPS look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government to explore the untapped potential within the community pharmacy network and sustainably develop services on behalf of our members.
Keep an eye out for the launch of the newly developed CPS strategy in summer 2025, where you will find our strategic proposals for the community pharmacy network detailed.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
The Scottish Government are funding training for Primary Care teams to more quickly identify the symptoms of a stroke.
Our local store in Lenzie is looking for a Pharmacy Technician to join their very knowledgeable team. The store offer a ranges of services and Pharmacy 1st plus
Community Pharmacy Scotland calls for the community pharmacy network to be commissioned to deliver a national NHS weight loss service, focussing on the direct use of medicines.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
Boots are currently looking for an experienced pharmacist to join our Pharmacy team at Boots in North Lanarkshire.
Our pharmacy in Braehead is looking for a pharmacy technician to join their team on a full time basis.
Boots Galashiels store is looking for a pharmacy technician to join their well established team.
Join Houston Pharmacy in Dundee as a Pharmacist Manager. Lead services, support your community, and grow your clinical career. Apply by 03/10/25.
Join Lindsay & Gilmour Inverkeithing as a Non-Pharmacist Pharmacy Manager. Lead a dedicated team and deliver exceptional community pharmacy care.
Join Boots Campbeltown as a Pharmacist. Deliver expert care, support your community, and make a difference in a trusted local pharmacy.
Join Boots North Lanarkshire as a Relief Pharmacist. Work across multiple stores, deliver expert care, and make a real impact in your community.
Join Boots Thornhill as a Pharmacist. Work with great support, DSP automation, and make a difference delivering expert care to your community.
Join Boots St Andrews as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber. Deliver expert care, lead a great team, and support your local community.
Join Boots in Portree, Isle of Skye as a full-time Pharmacist. Great team, IP support, benefits & career growth. Apply by 28 October 2025.
At Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), our Community Pharmacy Health Board (CPHB) committees are at the forefront of local service negotiation.
Can all Community Pharmacy Independent Prescriberss and Trainees who undertook or are undertaking a Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) / NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Funded Training, please keep us up to date with any changes to your information.
This week Adam from the Policy team headed to the RPS Offices in London to take part in a national discussion on early years career development for pharmacists.
Pharmacist Support is a charity dedicated to championing the wellbeing of those studying and working in pharmacy. We run three ACTNow wellbeing campaigns annually which support students, trainees and pharmacists at key points throughout the year.
Support World AMR Week 2025 by sharing key actions to fight antibiotic resistance. Discover resources to promote safe, sustainable antibiotic use.
Join Lindsay & Gilmour as a Base Pharmacist in Niddrie, Edinburgh. £60–70k salary, strong team, and career development. Apply by 30 November 2025.
Join Boots Dunoon as a Pharmacist. 32–40 hrs/week, IP support, great team and local store. Apply by 31 October 2025.
Join Boots Dundee as a Pharmacist. Out-of-hours service, automation, great team, and community links. Apply by 31 October 2025.
Join Boots Hamilton as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. 32–40 hrs/week, great team, clinical growth. Apply by 31 October 2025.
Join Boots Stranraer as a full-time pharmacist. Supportive team, coastal location, great benefits. Apply by 31 October 2025.
SSPs for Estradot HRT patches extended to 5 Dec 2025. Pharmacists may substitute with Evorel or Estraderm MX. Review updated guidance.
Review updated adjusted prices for October 2025. Several lines stabilised. Continue reporting shortages via Shortages Reporter. Contact CPS for queries.
Serious Shortage Protocols for cefalexin oral suspension sugar free products extended to 24 Oct 2025. Applies to SSP077 and SSP078. Review updated guidance.
Join Bucksburn Pharmacy in Aberdeen as a Pharmacist Manager. Full-time, flexible rota, IP support, and excellent salary. Apply by 28 October 2025.
Last week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) welcomed a visitor from Norway to Edinburgh. Birgitte Lloyd, President of the Norwegian Association of Pharmacists was in Scotland to learn more about the Scottish Community Pharmacy contract and services, as well as build on her own knowledge of Scottish culture.