Update on Community Optometry Prescribing and Implications for Pharmacy
Published: 01/08/25

Community pharmacists are being advised of upcoming changes to prescribing arrangements under General Ophthalmic Services, which may affect the volume and nature of prescriptions they receive.
In a joint letter, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and Chief Optometric Advisor outlined that independent prescribing optometrists will now be able to issue Stage 2 treatment prescriptions, which can be dispensed in community pharmacies. This change is expected to result in an increase in such prescriptions being presented for dispensing.
There are no changes to Stage 1 treatments or the current NHS Pharmacy First Scotland arrangements, which remain as set out in Circular PCA(P)(2023)45.
Pharmacy teams are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated processes and prepare for possible changes in patient interactions relating to eye care.
For further information, please refer to the attached letter or contact: enquiries@cps.scot
-
Independent prescribing optometrists will now be able to issue Stage 2 treatment prescriptions, which can be dispensed in community pharmacies.
-
The changes are upcoming but no specific date is provided in the notice. Pharmacy teams should begin familiarising themselves with the updated processes immediately.
-
You may notice:
An increase in the volume of eye-related prescriptions.
New types of prescriptions being presented (Stage 2 treatments).
More clinical interactions with patients related to eye care.
-
Stage 2 treatments refer to a higher level of clinical management for eye conditions, now prescribable by independent prescribing optometrists. These prescriptions were not previously dispensed in community pharmacies.
-
No. There are no changes to Stage 1 treatments, which continue as usual.
-
No. The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service continues as set out in Circular PCA(P)(2023)45. There are no changes to its arrangements.
-
Read the official letter outlining the changes.
Prepare for increased prescriptions related to eye care.
Stay informed on the scope of optometrist prescribing.
Update internal processes as necessary to manage the expected changes.
-
You can [Download the Letter Here]
-
Please email: enquiries@cps.scot
Please note, due to ongoing discussions with Public Health Scotland (PHS) & Scottish Government the final round of Adjusted Prices for September 2025 are likely to be agreed and published later today, Wednesday 1st October or tomorrow Thursday 2nd October.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Bonar Bridge Pharmacy is seeking a pharmacist to complete our team, working part-time on a relief or managerial basis.
SARCS offers 24/7 NHS support after rape or sexual assault. Learn how to access care and share the campaign.
Pharmacist Support offers free, confidential wellbeing services for pharmacy teams. Learn how to access counselling, advice, and more.
Today on World Pharmacists Day we celebrate the incredible contribution that community pharmacists and their teams make to the health and wellbeing of people across Scotland.
Join Lindsay & Gilmour as a Relief Pharmacist across Lothian & Borders. Competitive salary, training, and career development. Apply by 17 October 2025.
Join Lindsay & Gilmour as a Relief Pharmacist across 16 branches. Competitive salary, training, and career development. Apply now.
Join Lindsay & Gilmour in Stirling as a Non-Pharmacist Pharmacy Manager. Lead a busy team, deliver care, and grow your career. Apply now.
Lead a community pharmacy in Juniper Green with Lindsay & Gilmour. Competitive salary, bonus, and training. Apply now to join a trusted healthcare team.
Lead a long-established community pharmacy in Sauchie with Lindsay & Gilmour. Competitive salary, training, and development. Apply now.
Join Houston Pharmacy in Dundee as a Pharmacist Manager. Lead services, support your community, and grow your clinical career. Apply by 03/10/25.
On the 7th and 8th of September, our Policy & Development Officer, Gordon Winter visited Oslo to deliver a lecture to their Chief Pharmacists as part of Norway’s Apoteker-dagen or “Pharmacists Day”.
We’re inviting employers and executive-level stakeholders involved with pharmacist independent prescribers (PIPs) to complete a short research questionnaire.
The Scottish Respiratory Pharmacy Specialist Interest Group (SIG) is currently seeking a practising community pharmacist to join its membership.
From Wednesday the 1st October our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have decided to rerun the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign.
Join Battlefield Pharmacy in Glasgow as a Pharmacist IP. Deliver clinical services in a modern, patient-focused setting. Apply now.
This Sunday (07/09/25), NES Pharmacy, in partnership with Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), will be coordinating the next national community pharmacy workforce survey. This is the week to capture your staffing data for the Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2025.
Join GAM Stuart Ltd’s team of seven Edinburgh pharmacies as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. Enjoy tech-driven support, service innovation, and career growth.
Late August saw Gill and Gordon from our Policy Team attend the Scottish Drugs Forum in Glasgow. The two-day conference highlighted the importance of lived-in experience influencing future strategy, with updates on recent developments across Scotland as well as other parts of the UK.
Around the globe, decades of social and healthcare sector progress have driven life expectancy higher than ever, but not all of these years gained are lived in good health, particularly in areas of higher deprivation.
Our colleagues at NES are running a webinar looking at Cancer Care for Pharmacy Teams on Tuesday 28th October at 19:30 to 21:00.
Community Pharmacy Scotland reviews adjusted prices with Public Health Scotland. View stabilised lines and continue reporting shortages to support price negotiations.
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.
Please note, due to ongoing discussions with PHS & Scottish Government the final round of Adjusted Prices for August 2025 are likely to be agreed and published tomorrow Tuesday 2nd of September.
Join St Clair Pharmacy in Kirkcaldy as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. Enjoy a supportive team, flexible hours, and opportunities to grow clinical services.
Updated PGDs for UTIs and impetigo approved for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Health Boards to implement locally.
Royal Mail has made changes to how prescriptions are collected. Scanning now happens at the depot, not at pickup but your schedule stays the same.

Head of Policy & Development.
Our Manifesto makes clear our ambitions for community pharmacy in Scotland and the practical actions required to make our vision a reality.