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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
Full-Time Base Pharmacist, Inverkeithing Cross
Lindsay and Gilmour are looking for a Full-Time Base Pharmacist to join their team at Lindsay and Gilmour Pharmacy in Inverkeithing Cross, Fife. Click to find out more and apply…
Gathering Views Valproate Experience
Healthcare Improvement Scotland are gathering views and experiences from people currently taking Valproate, or those who have recently stopped.
An Incredible NHS Pharmacy First Plus Intervention: Spot Leukaemia
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.
Ask Me Anything (AMA): Smoking Cessation Varenicline Service
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
FAST Stroke Identification Training
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland are running online training sessions on the FAST tool for identifying stroke, and community pharmacy team members are invited to join.
Rapid Action Drug Alerts & Response (RADAR)
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.
PCA(P)(2025)06 - Updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) For Varenicline
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for smoking cessation under the community pharmacy Public Health Service.
Sarah Scott Talks Hay Fever on BBC Radio Scotland
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.
PCA(P)(2025)05 - SSPs for Estradot® (Estradiol) 25 Micrograms / 24 Hours Transdermal Patch
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.
PCA(P)(2025)04 - Extension to SSPs for Estradot (estradiol) 50, 75 and 100mcg Patches
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.
Community Pharmacy Scotland Chair and Vice–Chair Announcement
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.
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated April 2025
The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st April 2025.
Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers and Trainees - Please Keep Us Informed
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.
Adjusted Prices Review and Part 7 Changes
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 Pharmacy Foundation Training Year Facilitator Recruitment for 2025/26
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.
Importance of GP34s
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.
Hub and Spoke Dispensing - UK Government Confirms Approach
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.
GP Records Access in NHS England
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.
NHS Operational Improvement Plan: NHS Pharmacy First Expansion
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.
Launch of NHS Education for Scotland eLearning Module on Menopause
NHS Education for Scotland have launched a new eLearning module on menopause, and it is available now on Turas Learn: Menopause Module.