PHARMACY
Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways
Following the confirmation of multiyear funding from Scottish Government, as part of the wider investment in GP Practice, the DPDP Programme has now completed a re-baselined programme plan, capturing new milestones and updated timelines.
The programme is now aiming towards a DPDP go-live for the initial pilot site in Q3 of 2028 in line with the agreed business case and subject to continued delivery progress, supplier engagement, assurance and implementation readiness.
With the technical delivery partner now fully onboard, the build of DPDP has commenced. In addition to proofs of concept being progressed with potential suppliers for the Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), a wireframe of the DPDP “right to prescribe” register has been developed and demonstrated to the DPDP.
Resources continue to collaborate with the Developer Platform Service (DPS) team to progress the platform service work on the National Digital Platform (NDP) required for DPDP. This will continue to ensure it meets the needs of DPDP and establishes the technical infrastructure to facilitate build of bespoke DPDP services.
The team is beginning to build out the implementation activities that will be required for the programme and wider stakeholders.
NEWS
In case you missed it on the Scottish Pharmacy website, here is a round-up of what has been happening within the Scottish pharmacy sector as well as what’s coming up.
Update on Government Engagement and Negotiations
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) provided an update to Scotland’s community pharmacy network, highlighting developments in both its ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government and the changing political landscape following the recent Scottish Parliament election.
In a message to contractors, CPS Chief Executive Matt Barclay outlined the organisation’s priorities as it continued to advocate on behalf of the network and prepare for the next phase of discussions with Government.
Matt explained that establishing relationships with new ministers and ensuring they understand the vital role community pharmacy plays in delivering healthcare services across Scotland will be an important part of CPS’s work moving forward.
Matt also provided an update on negotiations saying they expect formal negotiations to restart shortly and they will continue to make the case for community pharmacy during the intervening period. While direct discussions were paused, the CPS team has been actively engaging with Scottish Government officials, resubmitting proposals and reinforcing the network’s priorities and requirements.
Weight Loss Injections Offered to Prevent Cardiovascular Events
NHS Scotland will offer semaglutide injections to eligible patients to help reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, following recommendations from the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).
It follows the decision earlier this year by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make the injections available in England and Wales for the same purpose.
Patients in Scotland who have cardiovascular disease and are overweight, a BMI of 27 or more, will be offered the weight loss injections alongside diet and exercise to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.
Chair of the SMC, Dr Rob Peel said that the committee was pleased to be able to accept this new medicine for use by NHS Scotland.
‘Semaglutide will provide a useful treatment option to help reduce major cardiovascular events in patients who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease,” he said.
GPhC Publishes Guidance on IP
The first pharmacists to qualify as independent prescribers from the point of registration are preparing to enter practice this summer, with the GPhC publishing new guidance designed to help them navigate one of the biggest changes to the profession in decades.
Recognising the significance of that change, the regulator has published Advice for Newly Qualified Prescribing Pharmacists, outlining the principles it believes will help new registrants develop safe, confident and effective prescribing practice as they transition from university into the workplace.
The GPhC is keen to stress that qualification alone does not mean pharmacists should immediately prescribe in every situation. Instead, the guidance repeatedly emphasises the importance of working within individual competence, recognising personal limitations and developing prescribing practice gradually as experience grows.
Newly qualified pharmacists are encouraged to reflect carefully on their knowledge and skills before making prescribing decisions, seek advice whenever necessary and continue building their confidence through supervision, mentoring and professional development. The regulator also reminds pharmacists of their ongoing professional responsibilities around revalidation, indemnity arrangements and maintaining safe prescribing practice throughout their careers.
One of the strongest messages within the guidance is that successfully embedding prescribing at registration is not solely the responsibility of newly qualified pharmacists. The GPhC places considerable emphasis on the role of employers, managers and experienced colleagues in creating supportive environments where newly qualified prescribers can continue developing safely.
Keep up to date with all the latest news at
scotpharm.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
