Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

All study days must be attended and confirmation that you are able to attend is required prior to course starting. You will be required to undertake the equivalent of 26 days learning in addition to a minimum of 90 hours patient contact overseen by your designated prescribing practitioner in practice.

The course will broadly cover the following main themes:

• Consultation, decision making, assessment and review
• Influences on and psychology of prescribing
• Prescribing in a team context
• Applying knowledge of therapeutics into a prescribing context
• Evidence based practice and clinical governance
• Legal, policy, professional and ethical aspects of prescribing
• Prescribing in the public health context
• Clinical examinations to aid in diagnosing and prescribing

The course is at master’s level 7 and you will be assessed by compiling a portfolio of evidence and an OSCE to test your clinical skill competencies. Passing of all required assessments will enable you to apply for annotation as a prescriber with the GPhC.

Please note: Successful completion of an accredited course is not a guarantee of annotation or of future employment as an independent prescriber.

While we understand that there may be times where you may need to interrupt studies please note there is a requirement to have completed the course within two years of start date.

• Have a pharmacy degree and be currently registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Be in good standing with the regulator and have an enhanced DBS disclosure within three years of the course start date.
• Be working in, or able to access, a practice environment that enables you to meet and achieve the course learning outcomes.
• A minimum level of English language proficiency equal to IELTS 7.0 (with no component less than 7.0) or equivalent.
• Have a minimum of two years post-registration patient-facing experience.
• Be able to identify the clinical or therapeutic area in which you intend to develop your prescribing practice.
• Demonstrate sufficient expertise and competence in your chosen area through the application form and/or interview.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Provide two references, at least one from your current employer.
• Include the Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) Screening form with your application.

You must also be able to identify and nominate a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) or Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) to supervise and support your learning.

• The DPP must be suitably experienced, have relevant continuous professional development or revalidation, and have no conflict of interest with you.
• The DPP should follow the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) DPP competency framework, and they must not receive payment for supervising your practice.