The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the supervision of prescribing pharmacists in training.

At present, pharmacists are required to undertake additional education and training, including being supervised by a designated medical practitioner, in order to become independent prescribers.

However, a discussion paper published by the GPhC proposes that in the future, pharmacist prescribers and other independent prescribers will also be permitted to supervise pharmacist independent prescribers in training.

The GPhC believes that giving this responsibility to practising pharmacist independent prescribers would give them the opportunity to train the next generation and share their experience in the workplace. The new supervision requirements would also, if approved, remove a potential barrier to the expansion of the number of pharmacist independent prescribers and alleviate pressure on both course providers and services.

Commenting on the consultation launch GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said: “The evidence is that the pharmacist’s role as a prescriber is developing rapidly and so this is an important topic to address. We welcome feedback on our proposals which will inform a wider review next year of the standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers.”

The consultation closes on 1 February 2017. The discussion paper can be accessed here.