Published: 18th June 2026
Thank you for your feedback on the Shortage Reporter
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the recent survey on the Shortage Reporter and share their feedback.
We had a strong response from across pharmacy teams, and the comments were really helpful. It’s clear that people understand the purpose of the tool and want it to work well, but it also highlighted a number of areas where it could be improved.
A lot of the feedback focused on the time it takes to complete a report, the number of steps involved, and the effort required to gather pricing information. There were also comments around how the tool fits into a busy day, and whether reporting always leads to clear outcomes.
This is exactly the kind of feedback we were looking for.
What happens next
Based on what you’ve told us, we’re making a series of changes to the tool over the coming weeks.
This will include:
A clearer name for the tool
Changes to the reporting process to make it quicker and simpler to use
Improvements to reduce the amount of manual input required
Our aim is to make the tool easier to use in practice, and to better reflect the realities of working in community pharmacy.
Your feedback has shaped this
These changes are directly informed by what you’ve told us. The comments around time, complexity, and workflow came through strongly, and they’ve played a key role in shaping the direction we’re taking. We know that reporting issues takes time, and if the process is too difficult or too slow, it’s less likely to be used. The updates we’re making are intended to address that.
We’ll share further updates as the changes go live, including what’s been updated and what it means for you. In the meantime, thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback.
Community Pharmacy Scotland is supporting Know Before You Go, the new Scottish Government and NHS Scotland campaign
Radek is swapping spreadsheets for snow to climb North Africa’s highest peak for the Butterfly Trust. Donate today and help him reach the top.
Community pharmacies should display the current Be the Early Bird poster and request a replacement if it has not arrived.
Ask Your Pharmacist Week highlights the advice, treatment and support available through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
CPS is promoting NHS Pharmacy First Scotland this winter as new figures show almost two million people used the service in 2025/26.
Check out our Monthly Planner: key dates, deadlines and events for community pharmacy in Scotland, all in one place and updated throughout the month.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
CP Independent Prescribers and trainees should tell CPS about employment or other changes to keep their contact records up to date.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
Feedback highlighted the time it takes to complete a report, the number of steps involved, the effort required to gather pricing information, and how the tool fits into a busy working day.
-
Planned changes include a clearer name, a quicker and simpler reporting process, and reducing the amount of manual input required.
-
The changes are based directly on feedback from pharmacy teams, particularly around time, complexity and workflow.
-
Changes will be introduced over the coming weeks, with further updates shared as they go live.

We would like to signpost everyone to this part of the Scottish Drug Tariff.