Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has agreed a 2026/27 funding settlement with the Scottish Government that increases the Global Sum and raises the guaranteed minimum reimbursement level. The agreement offers contractors greater certainty, but contains no additional investment in service development, leaving the long-term funding of Scotland’s expanding community pharmacy role firmly on the agenda.
CPS says the transfer from the Scottish Drug Tariff into the dispensing pool will support demand and distribute funding more equitably through existing remuneration arrangements. As a transfer between funding mechanisms, it should be distinguished from new investment in the network.
Demand continues to grow
The agreement comes at a time when community pharmacy is being asked to deliver more as part of Scotland’s wider primary care system. The latest Public Health Scotland figures show the reach of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and Community Pharmacy Unscheduled Supply alongside the network’s continuing dispensing work.
Independent prescribing offers further scope to treat patients in community settings, while CPS has called for pharmacy to play a greater part in prevention and earlier detection of illness. Delivering that ambition will depend on investment in workforce capacity, services and the systems that connect pharmacy with the rest of the NHS.
The next funding conversation
A joint commitment by CPS and the Scottish Government to examine the community pharmacy contractor cost base is therefore a significant part of the settlement. It should provide a clearer basis for future negotiations about what it takes to sustain the existing network and develop its clinical role.
“Within the parameters set by the Scottish Government, CPS worked hard to secure the best deal possible for contractors,” said Matt Barclay, CPS Chief Executive Officer. “While the agreement provides increased funding certainty and a fairer distribution of newly secured funding across the network, further investment will be needed to support the long-term sustainability and development of community pharmacy.”
CPS also welcomed constructive engagement with civil servants and Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport and Drugs. It said early discussions with the Minister had established a positive foundation for future collaboration.
For contractors, the 2026/27 agreement brings an uplift and greater clarity over funding. For the sector, the unresolved question is how future settlements will reflect the cost of maintaining accessible pharmacy services while supporting the wider role Scotland increasingly expects community pharmacy to play.
Further details of the settlement are expected in due course.
