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.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch (SSP079), a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 21 March 2025 has been extended until Friday 4 April 2025.

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.

NHS Inform offers Women’s Health pages with advice and support. Resources for promoting these pages and raising awareness about endometriosis are available from the SG Campaign Resource Centre. Community pharmacies in Scotland provide support for women’s health issues through Pharmacy First.

Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.

Community pharmacists who completed the CPS/NES Independent Prescribing Training can attend a Teach & Treat (T&T) session after qualifying and completing four Clinical Skills days. These sessions, led by experienced prescribers, offer valuable support. New hubs are now open in Saracen Pharmacy and Garscadden. For details, check your TURAS account.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is seeking volunteers to help develop the Pharmacy Foundation Training assessment for 2025. Subject matter experts are needed for 45-minute interviews via phone or Microsoft Teams to create scenarios for Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs). Interested individuals should contact Jo at Work Psychology Group to schedule an interview. No financial compensation is provided.

Our colleagues at NSS have let us know that there is planned downtime of the patient registration service from 6pm on Friday April 4th to 8am on Monday the 7th of April.

FT/ PT Pharmacist role days negotiable for local community Pharmacy in Lochgilphead. Would suit experienced or newly qualified pharmacist looking for a stable work/learning environment. Potential to support Independent Prescribing course should this be desirable. Possible live in accommodation due to location.

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.

As a Senior Dispenser, you will be a key player in the smooth operation of our luxurious, high-end pharmacy, where we pride ourselves on delivering premium service in a spacious and elegant environment.