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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
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.
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.
PCA(P)(2025)03 - 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 (SSP079), a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 21 March 2025 has been extended until Friday 4 April 2025.
Women’s Health Resources
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.
Spring COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 2025
The Chief Medical Officer along with the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and the Interim Chief Nursing Officer has writing to provide members with important details regarding the 2025 Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme, which will run from 31st March to 30th June 2025.
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.
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.
PCA(P)(2025)01 - Extension to SSP for Cefalexin 125mg/5ml Oral Suspension
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free due to expire on 31 January 2025 has been extended until Friday 2 May 2025.
Mind to Mind Mental Health Campaign
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have launched he Mind to Mind campaign which encourage people to look after their mental wellbeing. In this article you will find campaign resources that will help you spread the word within your community.
PCA(P)(2024)38 - 39: Serious Shortage Protocol for Cefalexin
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) in place for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml & 250mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free, from 10 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.
PCA(P)(2024)35 - 37: Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot®
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are now in place for Estradot® (estradiol) 50 mcg, 75 mcg & 100 mcg / 24 hour transdermal patch, from 19 December 2024 to 28 January 2025.
PCA(P)(2024)34 - Pharmacy Champions Funding 2024/25
This Circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to continue funding for Community Pharmacist Practitioner Champions in 2024-25.
PCA(P)(2024)33 - Extension to Serious Shortage Protocols for Ramipril 2.5mg Tablets and Creon® Gastro-resistant Capsules
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.
PCA(P)(2024)32 - New Universal Claim Framework (UCF) Module For Pharmacy First Plus
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of a new Universal Claim Framework (UCF) module that will be available for use by providers of Pharmacy First Plus from 1 February 2025.
PCA(P)(2024) 31 – Extension to SSP for Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monomax XL 60mg) Modified-Release Tablet
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomax® XL) 60mg modified release tablet due to expire on 18 October 2024 has been extended until Friday 15 November 2024.
PCA(P)(2024)30 - Updated Documentation for Emergency and Bridging Contraception
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for the provision of desogestrel as bridging contraception.
PCA(P)(2024)29: Update to CP4/3 Forms
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of changes to NHS prescription stationery for the CP4/3 prescription form.
PCA(P)(2024)28 - Financial Package 2024-25 for Community Pharmacy
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors the details of the community pharmacy funding arrangement for 2024/25.