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NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland allows community pharmacies to give people expert help in treating common clinical conditions.

Pharmacy teams offer advice, treatment, or referral to other healthcare teams if required.

What is Pharmacy First Scotland?

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is a service that allows community pharmacies to provide expert assistance in treating conditions such as sore throats, earaches and cold sores, as well as common clinical conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Pharmacy teams offer advice, treatment, or referral to other healthcare professionals if necessary.

This service helps people access the appropriate care in the right location, eliminating the need to visit their GP practice or local Accident and Emergency Department for non-urgent treatment.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Resources
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated January 2026
NHS Pharmacy First Approved List Updated January 2026

The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland approved product list has been updated for January 2026. Key changes include eczema treatments and cough remedies.

Pharmacy First Changes: Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Pharmacy First Changes: Questions and Answers (FAQs)

We have put together the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the circularPCA P(2025)24.

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland - Resources & Flow Chart
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland - Resources & Flow Chart

The attached document below is a series of key facts, guidance and information relating to the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) (PF(S)), the Scottish Community Pharmacy service for the pharmaceutical care of acute common clinical conditions.

Pharmacy First SG Circulars
PCA(P)(2025)24: NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Remuneration Update
PCA(P)(2025)24: NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Remuneration Update

The Scottish Government has released circular PCA(P)(2025)24 which details changes to the remuneration of all components of the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) service.

PCA(P)(2025)16 - Pharmacy First Scotland Service Requirements
PCA(P)(2025)16 - Pharmacy First Scotland Service Requirements

This circular reminds community pharmacy contractors of the key service requirements for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, highlighting the importance of face-to-face consultations, correct use of NHS branding, and adherence to national service guidelines.

PCA(P)(2024)02 - Additional Pharmaceutical Services NHS PFS - Updated PGDs
PCA(P)(2024)02 - Additional Pharmaceutical Services NHS PFS - Updated PGDs

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of shingles and skin infections under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

PCA(P)(2023)45 - Updated Guidance and Referral Form for Treatment of Minor Eye Conditions
PCA(P)(2023)45 - Updated Guidance and Referral Form for Treatment of Minor Eye Conditions

This Circular provides updated guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams and an updated referral form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions.

PCA(P)(2023)27 - Addition of Hay Fever PGD to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland
PCA(P)(2023)27 - Addition of Hay Fever PGD to NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

PCA(P)(2022)26 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland - Updated PGDs
PCA(P)(2022)26 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland - Updated PGDs

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) and impetigo under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.

PCA(P)(2021)20 - Amendments to the Base Payment for Pharmacy First
PCA(P)(2021)20 - Amendments to the Base Payment for Pharmacy First

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.

PCA(P)(2021)16 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland: Service Requirements
PCA(P)(2021)16 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland: Service Requirements

This Circular reminds community pharmacy contractors of the requirements of delivering the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service

PCA(P)(2021)14 - Revised Approved List of Products
PCA(P)(2021)14 - Revised Approved List of Products

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.

PCA(P)(2021)09 - Dispensing Pool
PCA(P)(2021)09 - Dispensing Pool

The Scottish Government have released circular PCA(P)(2021)09 which advises of changes to the Drug Tariff with respect to remuneration arrangements to regulate the delivery of the remuneration Global Sum for 2020/21.

PCA(P)(2021)07 - Additional PGDs
PCA(P)(2021)07 - Additional PGDs

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.

PCA(P)(2020)24 - Guidance for Treatment of Minor Eye Conditions
PCA(P)(2020)24 - Guidance for Treatment of Minor Eye Conditions

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.

PCA(P)(2020)16 - Independent Prescribing Service
PCA(P)(2020)16 - Independent Prescribing Service

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.

PCA(P)(2020)06 - Updated MAS Arrangements from 1st April 2020
PCA(P)(2020)06 - Updated MAS Arrangements from 1st April 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

PCA(P)(2020)03 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland: eLearning Payment for Contractors
PCA(P)(2020)03 - NHS Pharmacy First Scotland: eLearning Payment for Contractors

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.

⬅️ National Service

Whilst core services must be delivered by all community pharmacies on the pharmaceutical list, the National suite of services is optional. That said, the vast majority of pharmacies in Scotland offer all of these services.