If you are interested opening a new pharmacy please familiarise yourself with the current regulations and associated documents on this page.
If you want further information on the processes involved please call 0141 201 6047.
Pharmacy Application Process
The process for application to open a new community pharmacy is detailed below. Interested Applicants (IAs) should check the “Current Position” tile before going any further. Information contained in this tile will show IAs the indicative timeline for processing declarations of interest received.
Current Position
Please click Indicative Timeline to see the current indicative timeline for processing expressions of interest received (correct at 28th August 2025).
Please note these are indicative timelines only and they are subject to change. Timelines will be updated on a quarterly basis as Expressions of Interest move through the process.
Changes to timeline from previous version: None
The following new expressions of interest have been added: None
The next update will take place on December 2026.
If you require further information on the processes involved, please contact the Community Pharmacy Development Team at cpdt@ggc.scot.nhs.uk, or call Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm 0141 201 6041 / 0141 201 6054.
Timeline for processing Pharmacy Application
Expression of Interest is received,
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Pre application meeting arranged
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Joint Consultation meeting arranged, commencement date of Joint Consultation is agreed
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Joint consultation runs for a continuous period of not less than 90 working days
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Following completion of the Joint Consultation the Applicant has 90 days in which to submit their application
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Upon receipt, the Board must check whether the application is complete and as such constitutes a valid application. If it is not, the missing information must be provided by the applicant within 5 working days
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Within 10 working days of receipt of a complete and valid application the Board must invite representations from the APC, GP Sub Committee, other pharmacy contractors in the area and any neighbouring Health Board if boundary is within 2km of the proposed premises. They have 30 days from notification in which to respond.
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PPC Hearing is then arranged
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Decision of the PPC is notified to the Board within 10 working days of the Hearing
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Within 5 working days of being notified by the PPC,the Board must in turn notify the applicant and interested parties of the full decision, and advise them of any right of appeal. Boards are also required to publish the full decision on its website within 5 working days of this notification.
Timescale for an application moving through the full process at the Health Board is therefore minimum 12 months from the pre application meeting until the PPC hearing.
Should the decision on an application be appealed then the process will be extended
Forms to download:
- Form A(1) – Application for Inclusion in the Pharmaceutical List
- Form A(2) – Application for Inclusion in the Pharmaceutical List – change of provider
- Form B – Notification of Information not given on Form A(1) / Form A(2)