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.

A Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP 083) is in effect from 23 June to 1 August 2025 for venlafaxine 37.5mg MR tablets, allowing substitution with capsules. Learn how pharmacists should manage this temporary supply issue.

SSPs for Estradot® HRT patches extended to 10 Oct 2025. Community pharmacy contractors are advised to note the updated expiry date.

This circular advises community pharmacy contractors on the amendments to the Drug Tariff Part 11 clawback scale.

New naloxone product added to emergency supply service. Updated service specification now available for community pharmacy teams.

SSPs for Estradot® and Creon® extended. Pharmacists advised of new expiry dates: 6 June 2025 for Estradot®, 21 Nov 2025 for Creon® capsules.

Updated guidance for pharmacy provision of prophylactic paracetamol after MenB and other childhood vaccines, plus supporting clinical info.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.

The NHS circular PCA(P)(2025)08 informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of new arrangements in place for the procurement and reimbursement of Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).

This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards the details of the reimbursement arrangements as part of the community pharmacy funding settlement for 2025/26.

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for smoking cessation under the community pharmacy Public Health Service.

Please find attached NHS PCA(P)(2025)05 circular advising of a new Serious Shortage Protocol in place for Estradot^® (Estradiol) 25 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch until Friday 2 May 2025.

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.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch (SSP079), a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 21 March 2025 has been extended until Friday 4 April 2025.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch, a hormone replacement therapy product has been extended.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free due to expire on 31 January 2025 has been extended until Friday 2 May 2025.

Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) in place for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml & 250mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free, from 10 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.

Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are now in place for Estradot® (estradiol) 50 mcg, 75 mcg & 100 mcg / 24 hour transdermal patch, from 19 December 2024 to 28 January 2025.

This Circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to continue funding for Community Pharmacist Practitioner Champions in 2024-25.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Ramipril 2.5mg tablets due to expire on 15 November 2024 has been extended until Friday 29 November 2024.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of a new Universal Claim Framework (UCF) module that will be available for use by providers of Pharmacy First Plus from 1 February 2025.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomax® XL) 60mg modified release tablet due to expire on 18 October 2024 has been extended until Friday 15 November 2024. 

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for the provision of desogestrel as bridging contraception.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of changes to NHS prescription stationery for the CP4/3 prescription form.

This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors the details of the community pharmacy funding arrangement for 2024/25.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for isosorbide mononitrate (Chemydur® 60XL) modified release tablet, from 6 September 2024 to 27 September 2024. 

This Circular advises contractors of a balancing payment relating to the 2023/24 global sum, which will be made along with September’s payments.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for cefalexin 500mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 27 September 2024.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for ramipril 2.5mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 15 November 2024.

The Scottish Government have released Circulars PCA(2024)12 through to 20 advising of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) that are in place in relation to supply issues with Quetiapine 150mg, 200mg and 300mg tablets.