The annual reset of the Drug Tariff has now been undertaken by Public Health Scotland. This is where they balance the value of the tariff by modulating molecules up or down with a view to delivering the same overall value against volume and having outlier prices brought in line as part of the process.

Based on evidence, there are several lines that have stabilised which you can view here with their revised price for April 2024. These are no longer treated as Adjusted Prices; however, we will continue to monitor these lines, so we ask you to please continue to use our Shortages Reporter to report any that are of concern.

Yesterday Audrey Nichol MSP, our Head of Policy and Development, Amanda Rae, and our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott visited the team at Garthee Pharmacy in Aberdeen.

We are delighted to hear the recent joint consultation led by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department of Health Northern Ireland (DHNI), has been approved. This will enable pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines using Patient Group Directions (PGDs) once the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 have been amended.

Above is a roundup of the latest news affecting community pharmacy owners and their teams in Scotland.

Due to continued discussions with Public Health Scotland Part 7 of the Scottish drug tariff for April 2024 will not likely be published until early next week once all work is complete and agreed.

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As the delivery of our strategy to have CP IPs in all community pharmacies in Scotland, continues we have an ever growing number of CP IP Employee trainees across the network. Thanks to everyone who supporting this, and to the trainees for their hard work in gaining their IP qualification.

The Smoking Cessation Support Assessment Tool in the Pharmacy Care Record (PCR) has undergone a refresh to improve the user experience. The newly refreshed tool will launch on Monday, 8th April 2024.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomil® XL) 60mg modified release tablet, from 26 March 2024 to 3 May 2024.

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The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service approved list of products has been updated as of 1st of April 2024.

Please note, due to the day on which the 1st April falls this year, we will publish the April edition of Part 7 on the website slightly later than usual, early next week.

As part of tick bite prevention week our colleague and pharmacist Arlene Bailey from the Lyme Resource Centre has put together the following article to inform community pharmacists on Lyme Disease.

With your next Parcelforce prescription collection coming up on Thursday, 4th April 2024.

We will be closed for the the bank holiday on Monday the 1st April 2024. We will be open as normal on Tuesday the 2nd April 2024.

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

Our colleagues at LDUK have put together the following information to help raise awareness of Lyme Disease amongst community pharmacy health professionals.

NSS have asked us to remind you of the requirement to renew the verification certificate which need to be completed before the 24th March 2024.