Circular PCA(P)(2021)5 set out the arrangements for the settlement for pharmaceutical services for the period 2020-21, including for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

Since its launch in the midst of the pandemic, you and your teams have supported the people of Scotland with their minor health conditions over 2 million times!

With the Revised List of Approved List Products (PCA (P) (2021) 14) Circular, from 1st October 2021

This Circular encloses a revised Approved List of Products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, which will come into force from 1st October 2021.

Circular PCA(P)(2021)07 advises that Patient Group Directions (PGDs) supporting two further common clinical conditions will be added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.

This Circular provides information for community optometry teams about the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland (NHS PFS) service. It also provides guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams and a referral form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions.

This circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to establish a combined National Foundation Programme and Independent Prescriber (IP) Career Pathway for community pharmacists.

On 24 March 2020, Scottish Government announced support to self-isolate to those at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes providing help to access medicines and food supplies. An extension to this shielding period to at least 31 July 2020 was further announced on 8 June 2020.

This circular encloses amendments to the Health Board Additional Pharmaceutical Services (Minor Ailment Service (Scotland) Directions 2016 for the Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in respect of eligibility for the service, which come into effect on 1 April 2020

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards of a one-off payment available to community pharmacy contractors to cover the completion of e-learning modules for the roll-out of the new NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.

Community Pharmacy Scotland is delighted to highlight this report into the ART (Advice, Referral and Treatment) of pharmacy within the community setting.