We are asking for your feedback on our proposal to remove the requirements for registered pharmacists to have two years of clinical practice, and to have relevant experience in a specific clinical or therapeutic area, before they can enrol on an accredited independent prescribing course.
We’re also asking for feedback on retaining the requirement for course participants to identify an area of clinical or therapeutic practice as the basis of their learning and in which to develop their practice.
These changes would help meet the demand for more pharmacist independent prescribers from health services and patients. Current registered pharmacists and newly-qualified pharmacists joining the register over the next few years would be able to begin an independent prescriber course as soon as they have the relevant experience, rather than waiting for two years.
Course providers would still be required to assess the quality of the applicant’s previous experience, to make sure that pharmacists have the necessary skills and experience before starting the course.
At the same time, we are continuing to work with pharmacy schools, the statutory education bodies in each country and employers to implement new standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists. The new standards include independent prescribing within the first five years of training. Once these standards are fully implemented, pharmacists joining the register from Summer 2026 will be independent prescribers at the point of registration.
To find out more about the proposals and give your feedback via our online questionnaire, see the dedicated web page.