CPS Elections 2025 Are Live
Published: 15/01/25

The Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Elections 2025 are now live. If you are one of our eligible members (see below for the definition of eligible) nominations are now open for Community Pharmacy Health Board Committee (CP(HB)).
Background: CPS serves as a voice of community pharmacy owners and their teams across Scotland. Our mission: is to support these essential community pharmacy healthcare providers in delivering pharmaceutical care services on behalf of NHS Scotland, ensuring their contributions align with national and local priorities. A crucial part of this mission is our elected committees, ranging from local groups to the CPS Board, all of which play an important role in shaping the future of community pharmacy.
If you’re reading this and you are an eligible member, now is the time to consider standing for election and actively contributing to the advancement of our profession. As of the 13th January 2025, we are now inviting our eligible independent pharmacy, owner members to seek nomination for their local Community Pharmacy Health Board Committee (CP(HB)).
Eligible member definition:
Independent eligible member = pharmacist who is a: director, superintendent or pharmacy owner.
Company Chemists Association (CCA) eligible members: The Scottish Management Group decide who will represent on each of the committees for CCA members.
Why do the CPS Elections matter?
Local committees are the backbone of CPS. These groups ensure that community pharmacy remains innovative, responsive, and collaborative across 14 health boards in Scotland. By joining a committee, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Collaborate with fellow pharmacists, share ideas, and shape services in partnership with local Health Boards.
Drive change in your community by developing and delivering impactful services, such as vaccination programmes and needle exchange initiatives.
For many members, being part of a committee provides invaluable networking opportunities. It encourages collaboration, bridges gaps between professionals, and offers a platform to share experiences. The work done at the local level doesn’t just benefit patients and communities - it influences the future of community pharmacy on a national scale.
The upcoming CPS 2025 Elections present an exciting opportunity for greater involvement and representation within the profession. As we begin 2025, key priorities like negotiation for the 25/26 contractual framework will take centre stage. At the same time, the elections will offer members a chance to contribute directly to shaping the future of community pharmacy in Scotland.
This year’s elections include opportunities for newly formed committees and associate members. We encourage all eligible members to consider how they can bring their unique perspectives to these discussions. Your voice matters, and your participation can drive meaningful change.
Why should you get involved????
If you’re passionate about community pharmacy and want to make a difference, joining a CPS committee is a great way to contribute. Here’s what you’ll gain:
A deeper understanding of how pharmacy services function at local and national levels.
A platform to influence change, from negotiating new services to enhancing existing ones.
A supportive network of peers to share knowledge, collaborate, and grow with.
A wide range of perspectives ensures that decisions are well-rounded and beneficial for the entire network. Your participation helps secure professional and financial progress for community pharmacy.
The CPS 2025 elections are more than just a formality, they’re a chance to actively shape the future of community pharmacy in Scotland. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or new to the profession, your voice and perspective are invaluable.
Consider standing for election and playing your part in ensuring that community pharmacy continues to thrive and deliver essential services to patients across Scotland.
For more information about the elections and how to get involved, visit our website here, or contact us on 0131 467 7766 or at elections@cps.scot.

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This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link
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Read Victoria’s incredible real-world story of how a routine consultation through the NHS Pharmacy First Plus service led to the urgent referral of a patient who was later diagnosed with leukaemia.
Do you have questions about the updated Smoking Cessation Varenicline Service? Join us on Wednesday 7th May at 19:30 to 21:00 on Microsoft Teams - Click here to Register
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Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked that we disseminate the latest RADAR update to community pharmacy teams to inform you of concerns related to ongoing localised clusters of drug harms in multiple areas in Scotland.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland are gathering views and experiences from people currently taking Valproate, or those who have recently stopped.
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage their hay fever symptoms and access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
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.
We are pleased to announce that following the close of the nominations on Thursday 3rd of April 2025, Martin Green, who stood unopposed for the position of Chair of Community Pharmacy Scotland and James Semple, who also stood unopposed for the position of Vice Chair, have both accepted these appointments for the 2025-2028 term.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and Community Pharmacy vacancies within the network.
Deans Pharmacy in Wishaw seeks a manager for one of Scotland's busiest pharmacies, offering robotic dispensing and a 24-hour collection point. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential. Competitive salary offered. Apply Now!
The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st April 2025.
It is important that we have an up to date record of our CPIPs and Trainees. If there are any changes to your circumstances, please let us know by completing the attached form and sending it to us on enquiries@cps.scot.
As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these. We also work with them regularly to review lines which have now stabilised and remove these as appropriate.
NES are now in the process of gathering expressions of interest for FTY facilitators to support online and in-person training sessions for the next cohorts of NES FTY students in 2025/26.
When submitting your bundle of prescriptions to P&CFS, one of the things that should always be included is your yellow GP34 form, as it is a legal requirement. You will need to have counted your prescription submission before completing, which involves totalling your number of forms and items.
Late last week, the UK Government confirmed that they will soon make the necessary changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to enable 'hub and spoke' dispensing between different legal entities (businesses), which is not currently permitted.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) welcomes the recent development in England of community pharmacist access to patient GP record data on medications, investigations and observations. Whilst positive developments have been made in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has published its NHS Operational Improvement Plan, which describes how the commitments outlined in the First Minister’s January speech will be delivered. In his speech, First Minister John Swinney announced plans to make it easier for people to see a first point of contact with the NHS, for example a community pharmacist. The Operational Improvement Plan states that the Scottish Government will further expand the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, enabling community pharmacists to treat a greater number of clinical conditions.
NHS Education for Scotland have launched a new eLearning module on menopause, and it is available now on Turas Learn: Menopause Module.
Please note: Due to ongoing discussions with Public Health Scotland (PHS) the final round of Adjusted Prices for March are likely to be agreed and published on Tuesday 1st April 2025.

Digital Communications Officer
Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked us to share the following update regarding the COVID-19 spring vaccine poster for people with a weakened immune system.