Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

You'll need to attend all study days. We'll need confirmation of this before you start the course. You will be required to complete the equivalent of 26 days of learning, as well as a minimum of 90 hours of patient contact. This will be overseen by your designated prescribing practitioner.

The course will cover the following 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. You will be assessed by a portfolio of evidence and an OSCE to test your clinical skill competencies. If you pass all required assessments, you will be able 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 need to interrupt studies, please note that you must complete the course within two years of the 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.

• Taught in dedicated clinical skills suites
• Taught by practising pharmacists and academics
• Emphasis on professional development reflected in portfolio building
• OSCE support

You will be assessed by compiling a portfolio of evidence and an OSCE to test your clinical skill competencies.

Please register on our online application system then search and select Advanced Certificate in Independent Prescribing.

As well as completing the online application form you'll need to send us:

1. V300 application form for non-medical prescribing courses
2. Evidence of your qualification (copy of MPharm degree certificate or equivalent)
3. Evidence of CPD in your chosen area of prescribing practice
4. Appropriate relevant references (please see guidance below)

These should be submitted via email to our Pharmacy CPD Team. Please also email us if you have any queries.

In order to select those students who will benefit from their chosen programme of study, we require a supporting statement from a referee. The reference should include the following:

• Name of applicant
• Your name
• Your post/occupation
• Your relationship to the applicant
• Your contact details
• If you are happy for the reference to be discussed with the applicant (yes/no)
• If you are happy for the reference to be revealed to the applicant (yes/no)

Your reference about the applicant should, if possible, cover the following:

• Suitability for the course/research course
• Intellectual qualities including previous academic performance and any relevant subject experience through work or study
• Personal characteristics including evidence of ability to sustain study at level of their chosen course/research course
• Career aspirations
• How long have you known the applicant

Please send your reference via email to the CPD Team. Please email us if you have any questions.