Home > Core Services > NHS Pharmacy First > Pharmacy First PlusPharmacy First Plus
Pharmacy First Plus (PFP+) is an enhancement to the national NHS Pharmacy First service. It enables community pharmacists who are Independent Prescribers (IPs) to provide extended clinical assessment and prescribe medicines for a broader range of conditions within the community pharmacy setting.
What is Pharmacy First Plus?
It builds directly on the core Pharmacy First service, which already allows all community pharmacists to provide advice, treatment and, where appropriate, supply medicines for common clinical conditions under nationally agreed Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
Independent Prescribing Pharmacist role at Capsule Pharmacy, Stirling. Shape services, work clinically and grow with a progressive pharmacy group.
Congratulations to everyone who has recently started the Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) /NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Funded Community Pharmacy IP Employee training
Senior Pharmacy Manager and Independent Prescriber role in Stevenston. Lead a busy community pharmacy with strong clinical focus.
Join Boots Hamilton as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. Shape pharmacy practice with strong team support and great benefits.
Join Boots in Oban as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. Build your clinical career on Scotland’s west coast with great benefits.
Understand the top 25 Pharmacy First rejected items, why claims fail, and how to ensure compliance with NHS Scotland requirements.
Join Healthful Pharmacy Cardonald as an Independent Prescriber Pharmacist and support community health in Glasgow. Competitive salary and supportive team.
Community Pharmacy Scotland will host the next Independent Prescribers meeting on Thursday 5th February 2026. If any independent prescribers in Scotland are planning to attend and have any items you would like to add to the agenda please email us.
The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland approved product list has been updated for January 2026. Key changes include eczema treatments and cough remedies.
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.
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.
CP IP trainees on June 25, Sept 25, and Jan 26 courses, return your CPS funding form ASAP. No action needed if already submitted. Contact enquiries@cps.scot.
CPS is reviewing budgets and training needs. Complete and return the CP IP Training form by January 5, 2026. Contact enquiries@cps.scot for help.
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.
Join Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy West End Glasgow as a Part-Time Pharmacist IP. Flexible hours and clinical focus.
Lead a service-led pharmacy in Paisley as a Pharmacist IP Manager. Competitive salary and leadership opportunities.
Join Dears Pharmacy Fife as a Pharmacist IP. Competitive salary and clinical autonomy.
Join Dears Pharmacy Edinburgh as a Full-Time Pharmacist Independent Prescriber. Competitive salary and clinical autonomy.
CPS/NES CP IP trainees starting January 2026: Look out for an email with payment and support group details. Complete and return ASAP.
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CP IP trainees on June & Sept 2025 courses must return payment and support group forms. Complete now to avoid delays.
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.
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.
Community Pharmacy Scotland / NHS Education for Scotland Independent Prescribing trainees for June and September 2025 must return forms confirming details. Contact us with any questions.
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.
Join Boots Hamilton as an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist. 32–40 hrs/week, great team, clinical growth. Apply by 31 October 2025.
Join Boots Bathgate as a full-time prescribing pharmacist. Great team, benefits & career growth. Apply by 10 October 2025.
CPS-funded IP trainees: check your inbox for course payment details and support group invitations.
Pharmacy First Plus: Frequently Asked Questions
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Pharmacy First Plus is an enhancement to Scotland’s NHS Pharmacy First service. It enables community pharmacists who are qualified Independent Prescribers to clinically assess patients, diagnose within their competence, and prescribe appropriate medicines directly from the pharmacy.
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Pharmacy First is delivered by all community pharmacies in Scotland and provides treatment and advice for a defined list of common clinical conditions, often using Patient Group Directions.
Pharmacy First Plus is delivered by pharmacist Independent Prescribers and allows prescribing based on individual clinical assessment rather than relying solely on national protocols. It expands the range and complexity of care that can be provided within the community pharmacy setting.
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The service is delivered by community pharmacists who hold an Independent Prescribing qualification and are practising within their clinical competence.

Congratulations to everyone who has recently passed their IP Courses. Well done! Once you have had the chance to celebrate, here are some details for your next steps: