SG Circulars

UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols for Estradot® patches and Creon® capsules extended to 10 July 2026. Guidance for community pharmacies.

A new national PGD for oral candidiasis is being added to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Guidance for Health Boards and community pharmacy teams.

Scottish Government circular announcing a new Patient Group Direction for skin inflammation within NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

UK‑wide Serious Shortage Protocols for Estradot patches and Creon 10000 capsules extended to 17 April 2026. Details for pharmacists included.

SSP withdrawal for Adipine® XL modified-release tablets, and Fixapost® preservative-free eye drops, originally due to expire on 6 February 2026, will now be withdrawn early 

SSP extensions for Creon 10000 and 25000 have been issued. Pharmacists must review new end dates and continue limiting supply to one month.

SSP 086 for Latanoprost/Timolol eye drops is active 19 Dec 2025–6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.

SSP 085 for Nifedipine 60mg tablets is active from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.

Serious Shortage Protocol for nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 30mg MR tablets in effect from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Full guidance for pharmacists.

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, 

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that two UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Creon® gastro-resistant capsules both due to expire on 21 November 2025 have been extended until Friday 16 January 2026. 

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.

SSP for cefalexin oral suspension sugar free products extended to 28 November 2025. Pharmacists should review updated guidance.

SSPs for Estradot HRT patches extended to 5 Dec 2025. Pharmacists may substitute with Evorel or Estraderm MX. Review updated guidance.

Serious Shortage Protocols for cefalexin oral suspension sugar free products extended to 24 Oct 2025. Applies to SSP077 and SSP078. Review updated guidance.

Updated PGDs for UTIs and impetigo approved for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Health Boards to implement locally.

The Part 11 clawback rate has been reset to 0% from 1 July 2025. Future reviews will follow 2026/27 survey results. Full details in PCA(P)(2025)13.

Scottish pharmacy funding for 2025/26 confirmed at £343.3m, with a 4% uplift to the Global Sum and increased guaranteed income for key services.

SSPs for Estradot® HRT patches now end 10 Oct 2025. Pharmacists may substitute with Evorel® or Estraderm MX® to manage supply issues.

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.