Introduction & module overview

Community pharmacists will have already gained underpinning skills and knowledge in preparation for prescribing through their work in Pharmacy First and equivalent schemes, using patient group directions (PGDs) and treating acute symptoms with OTC medicines.

Prescribing is an extension of these skills after completing an accredited course, being annotated as an independent prescriber, and then using that qualification depending on area of expertise and competences, CPD and patient need.

After completing this module, you will know how to build on your experience with Pharmacy First to extend your practice and take responsibility for your clinical decisions. The module will look at overcoming personal barriers and taking account of patients’ social circumstances in your prescribing.

It will also cover practicalities such as who to contact to find a prescribing course, how to get funding and finding a supervising designated prescribing practitioner (DPP).

Finally, the module will explore the changes that will happen when pharmacist trainees, who will qualify as independent prescribers on day one of registration, start practising in 2026.