THE REFORMS ARE EXPECTED TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL PHARMACY IN SCOTLAND


UK, Pharmaceutical Society NI (which regulates pharmacists in Northern Ireland) and the Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the standards and guidance they need to understand how to safely implement these changes in practice.


“We want to reassure everyone that we think it is vitally important that patients and the public can have access to a pharmacist when visiting a community pharmacy and will make this clear in the Standards and Rules. The requirement for a Responsible Pharmacist to be signed in when the pharmacy premises is open for business will also remain.


“We are committed to making sure that the changes are implemented responsibly and are done in a way that protects patient safety. We will also make sure that the changes are proportionate, so any burdens for businesses and their employees introduced by the new rules and standards are the minimum necessary to secure the benefits expected to result from them.


“Our public consultation on our new standards and rules will give everyone the chance to give feedback and help inform the final versions.”


RPS (Scotland) offers clear guidance The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has supported these changes through its work in the Supervision Practice Group. They emphasise that delegation must be properly authorised, documented and auditable. RPS Scotland has called for strong collaboration between pharmacists and technicians, with a focus on patient safety and professional autonomy.


RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said, "We support the overall direction of travel set out in this legislation. It reflects a more collaborative, team-based approach to pharmacy that will help pharmacists focus on patient-facing clinical care while ensuring safety remains paramount. We will continue to work with the regulator and partners across the pharmacy professions to shape a future where all members of the pharmacy team are empowered to contribute fully to patient care."


RPS will be developing guidance in partnership for the pharmacy professions and pharmacy team on: • Handing out checked and bagged prescriptions • Safe and effective models of authorisation of pharmacy technicians


RPS has also started working in partnership with NHS Quality Assurance committee, APTUK and regulators of aseptic services to update its 2016 standards for the quality assurance of aseptic preparation services, to be ready by the end of 2026.


Why this matters for Scottish pharmacy teams The reforms are expected to transform community and hospital pharmacy in Scotland. By removing unnecessary limits on delegation, pharmacies can operate more efficiently. Pharmacists can use their clinical training to its full potential, while pharmacy technicians step into expanded roles with clear legal backing.


What happens next? 1. Legislation lands later in 2025 – The UK Government has committed to introducing the legal changes this year.


2. GPHC consultation begins – New standards for Responsible Pharmacists and Superintendent Pharmacists will be developed, with input from across the profession.


3. RPS continues supporting practitioners – RPS will provide guidance and resources to help teams across GB adapt to the new framework.


What this means for everyday practice Pharmacists can shift focus to services like minor ailments, contraception, prescribing and long- term condition support. Pharmacy technicians will step into clearer, expanded roles, improving efficiency and career development. Patients are likely to benefit from quicker access, more time with pharmacists and a more responsive pharmacy service.


As Scotland embraces this next chapter in pharmacy practice, the focus must remain on collaboration, patient safety and professional growth. With well-designed standards, clear guidance and continued leadership from GPhC and RPS, pharmacy teams across Scotland are well placed to thrive - and to deliver smarter, more accessible care for their communities.


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