This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that five of the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Phenoxymethylpenicillin products that were issued on 16 December (SSPs 043-047) have been amended to allow pharmacists to supply azithromycin as a further alternative antibiotic. The expiry date for the amended SSPs still remains the 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg tablets, from 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free, from 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution, from 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free, from 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution, from 15 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution, from 15 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free, from 15 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free, from 15 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.

This Circular advises and community pharmacy contractors of the next Public Health Service (PHS) poster campaign topics which will be distributed to pharmacies.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 75 microgram patch, from 15 November 2022 to 13 January 2023.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 50 microgram patch, from 15 November 2022 to 13 January 2023.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the 12 UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for HRT products due to expire on 28 October 2022, have now been extended.

This circular advises of changes to the Drug Tariff with respect to remuneration arrangements for the dispensing pool month of September 2022.

The Scottish Government have released Circular PAC(P)(2022)29 which advises of an extension to the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 100 microgram patch, in place from 8 September, extended to 30 September 2022.

To advise of an extension to the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 25 microgram patch, in place from 8 September, extended to 30 September 2022.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that patient signatures are no longer required on the majority of prescription forms. It also provides an updated privacy notice for display in all community pharmacies.

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) and impetigo under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an extension on 12 Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) issued recently for Hormone Replacement Therapies.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the next Public Health Service (PHS) poster campaign topics which will start to be distributed to pharmacies from 12 July 2022.