At national level there are a number of initiatives underway including:A new national framework for the pharmaceutical care of patients in the community has been initiated through model schemes of care for the frail elderly, patients with severe and enduring mental illness and provision of out-of-hours pharmaceutical palliative care.Developing a pilot project for the direct supply of medicines, which will allow pharmacists to supply to specific patients, direct and free of charge, certain "pharmacy only" and General Sales List medicines which would otherwise have been obtained on prescription from a GP.Exploring the potential for the electronic transmission of prescription information between GPs, community pharmacists and the Common Services Agency.We will continue to work with the pharmaceutical profession, health boards and Trusts to ensure that pharmacists are fully engaged in contributing to the agenda for improving the health of the people of Scotland.