NHS Services
Core Services
These pharmaceutical care services are described as Core because each and every community pharmacy delivering NHS services in Scotland must offer and participate in them, ensuring all communities have equity of access to care through our network.
- Core services
- 5, offered by all
- National services
- 3, almost everywhere
- Delivered by
- Every NHS pharmacy
Equity of access
Wherever you live in Scotland, your local pharmacy offers the same standard of core pharmaceutical care.
8 services
Core Services
Must be provided by every community pharmacy delivering NHS services in Scotland
Acute Medication Service
Provides NHS prescriptions for acute (short-term) conditions. Pharmacies dispense, endorse and claim reimbursement for all acute prescriptions presented by patients.
Service type: CoreQuality Improvement
Supports pharmacies to continuously review and improve the quality of the services they deliver, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety across the network.
Service type: CorePublic Health Service
Supports national public health priorities through health promotion, smoking cessation, sexual health services (EHC and Bridging Contraception) and prophylactic paracetamol supply.
Service type: CoreMedicines Care and Review
A structured review of a patient's medicines by a pharmacist, helping to optimise therapy, identify problems, improve adherence and ensure patients get the best outcomes from their medication.
Service type: CoreNHS Pharmacy First
Allows patients to access treatment for a range of common conditions directly from their community pharmacist without needing a GP appointment, helping to reduce pressure on primary care.
Service type: CoreWhy Core Services Matter
Community pharmacies are the most accessible part of the NHS. Core services ensure that no matter where you live in Scotland, you can walk into your local pharmacy and receive the same standard of pharmaceutical care.
National Services
Optional but delivered by the vast majority of community pharmacies across Scotland
Stoma Services
Specialist dispensing service for patients requiring stoma appliances and associated products, providing clinical support and advice alongside their prescriptions.
Service type: NationalUnscheduled Care
Enables pharmacies to supply urgent medication to patients who need it outside of normal GP hours, supporting continuity of care and reducing unnecessary A&E attendances.
Service type: NationalGluten Free Food Service
Allows patients with coeliac disease who have a valid prescription to obtain gluten-free food products from their community pharmacy as part of their dietary management.
Service type: NationalNational Services, Available Almost Everywhere
Whilst national services are technically optional, the vast majority of community pharmacies in Scotland choose to offer all of them. This means patients can typically access these services at their local pharmacy without needing to travel.
Key Documents
Contracts, regulations and guidance for core services
- RegulationsPharmacy regulations and legal frameworks
- Drug Tariff & ReimbursementPricing, fees and reimbursement guidance
- RemunerationPayment structures for NHS services
- Financial FrameworkContractor financial framework 2024
- Stationery ContactsHealth Board stationery and forms
- NHS ContactsKey NHS contacts across Scotland