The new updated version of Part 7 is now available for December 2024. In this month there are several deletions to Part 7 of the drug tariff we wanted to make you aware of.

On today's episode… Our Policy and Development team bring you the latest news for community pharmacy in Scotland. Topics include: Pharmacy Technician And Pharmacy Support Staff Development Pathways, Considering Becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) and CPS Presents at Norwegian Pharmacy Conference.

A new e-learning module on the management of tick bites is now available from NES. This learning resource helps support healthcare practitioners gain the evidence-based knowledge required to discuss prevention of tick bites with the public and how to recognise Lyme disease.

CPS were delighted to be invited to the drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament hosted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to showcase their recently published UK Medicine Shortages Report.

We have taken a stand along with our primary care colleagues in Scotland to address the looming financial burden that is the hike in employers' National Insurance (NI) contributions announced by the UK Government last month.

This is a friendly reminder about your next courier collection. The collection will take place on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. With the busiest time of year approaching in community pharmacy, we thought it might be useful to remind you of some information around your prescription bag submissions.

In September 2021, the four UK Governments announced the intention to mandate the fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid on a UK-wide basis to reduce the number of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) in foetuses.  Legislation is now being laid and the food industry has until December 2026 to fully implement these changes.

Our colleagues at the National Pharmacy Technicians Group Scotland (NPTGS) have been working on a proposed development pathway for Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Support workers in Scotland. This work will eventually form the foundation on which education and training and professional development frameworks are built.

Following on from the withdrawal of varenicline (Champix) tablets from the UK in 2021, a generic version of varenicline has been launched by Teva and is now available for supply through wholesalers. This includes initiation packs, 0.5mg and 1mg packs.

Another day, another media piece. With the upcoming Scottish budget, STV News wanted to revisit community pharmacy as part of the broader discussion around primary care providers and the implications of the National Insurance increase.

The following are the Top Three items currently under discussion and review by your CPS Board. There is no specific detail, yet, as these are currently “works in progress”. Further detail will follow as available.

We want to make you aware of a joint letter that Community Pharmacy Scotland, along with our colleagues in general practice, dentistry, and optometry, has sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance.

We want to make you aware of a joint letter that Community Pharmacy Scotland, along with our colleagues in general practice, dentistry, and optometry, has sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance.

Our colleagues at NES are keen to support individuals develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to undertake the role of designated prescribing practitioner. In doing so, NES have recently developed a DPP Competency Framework Self-Assessment Tool which may be useful to those considering their suitability for the role.

Our Policy and PR Pharmacist attended the Norsk Farmasoytisk Selskap Pharmacy Conference in Oslo last Thursday where she gave a presentation on NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Ramipril 2.5mg tablets due to expire on 15 November 2024 has been extended until Friday 29 November 2024.

This consultation seeks views on eight identified outcomes which describe what good looks like with respect to palliative care services in Scotland. Below is a short explanation of the strategy, and Community Pharmacy Scotland’s submitted response to this consultation.

The 'Keep Antibiotics Working' Campaign aims to promote safe and sustainable antibiotics use ahead of this year's World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2024 (18-24 November 2024).

Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing. To view our latest Newsletter through your browser, please click on the link.

This is a friendly reminder about your next courier collection. The collection will take place on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024. In the article below we have some important information about the next collection.