Public Health Service

Financial Framework · 2025-26

Global Sum

Community pharmacy plays a central role in delivering public health services across Scotland — from smoking cessation to sexual health and national campaign support.

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Overview

What Is the Public Health Service?

The Public Health Service (PHS) element of the community pharmacy contract covers a range of national health improvement services delivered by community pharmacies on behalf of the NHS. These are provided and funded as national NHS services, complying with policies and standards set by NHS Scotland.

The core PHS services are Smoking Cessation and Sexual Health (including Emergency Hormonal Contraception). In addition, Scottish Government campaign activity may allocate further public health work to community pharmacies throughout the year.

Scottish Government campaign activity for 2025-26 is currently being finalised. A more detailed list of campaigns for the year will be issued in due course via circular.

Core Services

Public Health Services Delivered by Community Pharmacy

Smoking Cessation
Community pharmacy delivers around 70% of all NHS stop smoking attempts in Scotland. The service supports patients through structured quit attempts using approved products, including a PGD for Varenicline adapted for local use by each Health Board. Pharmacists must complete NES eLearning to a satisfactory standard to deliver the service.
Per quit attempt activity
Sexual Health — Emergency Hormonal Contraception
Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) is supplied under a PGD. Contractors must prescribe Levonorgestrel 1500mcg, Levonelle 1500 or Ulipristal Acetate 30mg to ensure payment. A pharmacist who cannot supply on ethical grounds must advise the patient of an alternative local source.
Per supply
Needle Exchange & Harm Reduction
Supporting people who inject drugs through needle exchange and harm reduction services, delivered in line with national service specifications and local Health Board arrangements.
Scottish Government Campaign Activity
Scottish Government commissions community pharmacy to support national health improvement campaigns throughout the year. The full list of campaigns for 2025-26 will be issued by circular in due course.

Service Requirements

Key Obligations for Contractors

Record Keeping
Appropriate records including patient medication records must be kept and maintained to enable verification of service provision, training requirements, and for internal and external audit and evaluation purposes.
Training Requirements
NES multi-choice questions must be completed to a satisfactory standard. Distance learning packages are available from NES Pharmacy. eLearning for smoking cessation is available on Public Health Scotland's Virtual Learning Environment.
Service Specifications
The pharmacist providing the service must be aware of and operate within the national service specifications. Each service has a specification covering required processes and clinical standards.
Payment Reporting
Contractors should consult their Public Health Service Payment report sent by PSD to ensure they are receiving the correct payment for each service delivered.