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The content below contains the latest news affecting community pharmacy owners and their teams throughout Scotland. If you can’t find something or you have a question please get in touch with us at webteam@cps.scot
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Update – 1st April 2026
Summary of the 1st April 2026 updates to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List, including changes to oral thrush, allergy/itch and previous cough removals.
PCA(P)(2026)05 - New PGD for Treating Oral Candidiasis in Pharmacy First
A new national PGD for oral candidiasis is being added to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Guidance for Health Boards and community pharmacy teams.
Independent Prescribers’ Meeting Dates
We are pleased to confirm the Independent Prescribers’ meetings will take place at 19:30 - 20:30 on the following date: Thursday 30th April
PCA(P)(2026)04 - New Patient Group Direction for Skin Inflammation
Scottish Government circular announcing a new Patient Group Direction for skin inflammation within NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
New UCF Modules - Important Notice
Pharmacy teams will start to notice two new UCF modules appearing in their PMRs from next week - one each for the previously-announced Nystatin and Hydrocortisone PGDs.
Pharmacy First Rejected Items
Understand the top 25 Pharmacy First rejected items, why claims fail, and how to ensure compliance with NHS Scotland requirements.
Approved List Reporter
On behalf of NHS Health Boards, we are collecting suggestions for amendments to the Approved List from our members and their pharmacy teams, which can be for additions to the list, replacements or deletions.
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated January 2026
The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland approved product list has been updated for January 2026. Key changes include eczema treatments and cough remedies.
CP IP Training Courses - Jan 2026 RGU and STR
If you are a CP Employee starting your CPS/NES Funded IP Course in Jan 2026 at RGU or Strathclyde University, please make sure you have completed and returned the form sent to you by CPS during December.
Important Message for Community Pharmacy Owners, Contractors and Employees
We are currently reviewing future budgets and training capacity requirements for CPS/NES Funded Employee CPIP Training. To do this, we need a clear picture of how many CP employees in the network have not yet completed their training.
Pharmacy First Changes: Questions and Answers (FAQs)
We have put together the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the circularPCA P(2025)24.
Pharmacy First Changes: Webinar Output
Last Thursday the CPS team held a webinar which covered the recent changes to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland remuneration, and gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions of the team.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland - Resources & Flow Chart
The attached document below is a series of key facts, guidance and information relating to the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) (PF(S)), the Scottish Community Pharmacy service for the pharmaceutical care of acute common clinical conditions.
NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland): Webinar - 20th November
Community Pharmacy Scotland will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 20 November at 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams, this webinar is for CPS contractor members and their teams.
PCA(P)(2025)24: NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Remuneration Update
The Scottish Government has released circular PCA(P)(2025)24 which details changes to the remuneration of all components of the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) service.
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated September 2025
Pharmacy First Scotland product list updates on 1 September 2025. QV Skin Lotion removed from NHS Borders, Fife & Lothian emollient options.
PCA(P)(2025)16 - Pharmacy First Scotland Service Requirements
This circular reminds community pharmacy contractors of the key service requirements for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, highlighting the importance of face-to-face consultations, correct use of NHS branding, and adherence to national service guidelines.
An Incredible NHS Pharmacy First Plus Intervention: Spot Leukaemia
Read Victoria’s incredible real-world story of how a routine consultation through the NHS Pharmacy First Plus service led to the urgent referral of a patient who was later diagnosed with leukaemia.
Sarah Scott Talks Hay Fever on BBC Radio Scotland
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage their hay fever symptoms and access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated April 2025
The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st April 2025.
