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Latest News
The content below contains the latest news affecting community pharmacy owners and their teams throughout Scotland. If you can’t find something or you have a question please get in touch with us at webteam@cps.scot
Concerns Grow After A Sudden Increase In Overdoses In Scotland
Recent reports have highlighted an increase in sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin. This appears linked to a rapid onset into overdose and multiple repeat doses of naloxone being required to reverse overdose.
GPhC Virtual Listening Event: Wednesday 9th April 2025
Our colleagues at the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will be hosting a virtual event to engage with pharmacy professionals on the key issues shaping the future of pharmacy.
Sponsorship Opportunities At The CPS Charity Golf Day
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) is delighted to host its 11th Annual Charity Golf Day at the stunning Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort. To help raise essential funds for this remarkable charity, we have expanded our sponsorship opportunities, allowing more businesses to contribute and gain valuable exposure.
Pharmacy In Practice Conference
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) attended the annual Pharmacy in Practice Conference on the 12th March 2025 in Edinburgh. The day consisted of a breadth of panel discussion sessions focusing on innovation in, and the future of pharmacy practice.
Prescription Collection Courier Service: 20th March 2025
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
NEW ‘Be the Early Bird’ Campaign
The Detect Cancer Earlier campaign ‘Be the Early Bird’ is LIVE throughout March 2025 but with a difference! A new Early Bird, ‘Bonnie’, has been introduced to raise awareness of lesser known head and neck cancer symptoms. We are delighted to share NEW campaign material and would welcome your support in helping us spread this important #BeTheEarlyBird message once again.
Endometriosis Awareness Month
Endometriosis Awareness Month is taking place throughout March and is dedicated to raising awareness about endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition affecting many women across the UK. This month provides an opportunity to increase public understanding of the condition and encourage those who are suffering to seek medical advice from their GP practice.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Changes
From 1st April 2025, it will be a legal requirement for individuals to be a member of the PVG Scheme when carrying out a regulated role with children, protected adults, or both.
Medicines Care and Review (MCR) Ready Reckoner: 10th March 2025
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Vitamin D3 Supplement Product Recall
There have been some clinical incidents as a result of higher than expected levels of Vit D3 being in the product.
Support Student Pharmacist Experiential Learning in 2025-26
Pharmacies across Scotland have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the future pharmacy workforce by supporting student pharmacist experiential learning (EL) in the 2025-26 academic year.
PCA(P)(2025)02 - Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot Patches
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch, a hormone replacement therapy product has been extended.
National Insurance Contributions For Community Pharmacy - House of Lords Vote
We are pleased to see that the House of Lords recently held a debate which used community pharmacy as a central talking point, eventually voting overwhelmingly in favour of granting an exemption to this rise in business costs.
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Update
The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st March 2025.
March 2025 Part 7 Publishing
Due to the day on which the 1st March falls this year, we will publish the March edition of Part 7 on the website slightly later than usual, early next week.
New Teach & Treat Hubs Coming Soon
We are pleased to let you know that there are two new Teach and Treat Hubs coming in April. The new hubs will be in Saracen Pharmacy and Garscadden Pharmacy, and will support the delivery of the Teach & Treat sessions.
Details for CPIP Employee Pharmacists on CPS/NES Courses, Qualifying February 2025
Congratulations to everyone who has recently passed their Independent Prescribing Courses. Well done! Once you have had the chance to celebrate, here are some details for next steps.
NES Foundation Training Year (FTY) Recruitment for 2026/27: Opportunity to Participate Now!
As part of the preparations for the recruitment process for the summer 2026 intake of Foundation Training Year (FTY) trainee pharmacists,
Prescription Collection Courier Service: 6th March 2025
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, March 6th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
Safe Spaces Scheme
From 4th November 2024, the Ask for ANI scheme has no longer been available in pharmacies. However, the Safe Spaces scheme has continued in over 6,000 Pharmacies, Banks and Building Societies across the UK. The Safe Spaces scheme is overseen by Scottish Women’s Aid/Hestia.