Please find attached NHS circular PCA(P)(2025) 04 - Extension to Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot (estradiol) 50, 75 and 100mcg patches, advising that the SSPs for the noted Estradot (estradiol) products have been extended until Friday 2 May 2025.

We are pleased to announce that following the close of the nominations on Thursday 3rd of April 2025, Martin Green, who stood unopposed for the position of Chair of Community Pharmacy Scotland and James Semple, who also stood unopposed for the position of Vice Chair, have both accepted these appointments for the 2025-2028 term.

The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st April 2025.

It is important that we have an up to date record of our CPIPs and Trainees. If there are any changes to your circumstances, please let us know by completing the attached form and sending it to us on  enquiries@cps.scot.

As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these. We also work with them regularly to review lines which have now stabilised and remove these as appropriate.

NES are now in the process of gathering expressions of interest for FTY facilitators to support online and in-person training sessions for the next cohorts of NES FTY students in 2025/26. 

When submitting your bundle of prescriptions to P&CFS, one of the things that should always be included is your yellow GP34 form, as it is a legal requirement. You will need to have counted your prescription submission before completing, which involves totalling your number of forms and items.

Late last week, the UK Government confirmed that they will soon make the necessary changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to enable 'hub and spoke' dispensing between different legal entities (businesses), which is not currently permitted.

Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.