Non-medical prescribing

There are now over 2500 pharmacists qualified as prescribers in the UK. Once qualified, pharmacist prescribers need to ensure that they undertake effective continuing professional development (CPD) in order to maintain and improve their skills.

Following a survey of pharmacist supplementary and independent prescribers in April 2009 CPPE we have developed programmes specifically for non-medical prescribers.

Support for non-medical prescribers

In 2009 we carried out a survey of non-medical prescribers. Some of our findings included:

Over 48 percent of respondants were prescribing
Almost 60 percent of GP-practice-based pharmacists are using their pharmacy qualification, whereas only 25 percent of community pharmacists are using theirs
Most pharmacists want to extend their scope of practice and to find good resources for CPD

View a PDF document of Survey of the continuing professional development needs of pharmacist prescribers.

As a result of this survey we have developed a number of programmes to support non-medical prescribers.

CPD newsletters for non-medical prescribers

We have developed some CPD newsletters to support non-medical prescribers which are sent to you by email. If you are a pharmacist prescriber and you haven't had a copy a CPD newsletter, then make sure we have your up-to-date email address log on to this website and update your details page.

Once we have this information we can keep you in touch with all these new developments.

If you require further information then email your questions via: info@cppe.ac.uk

Programmes available to non-medical prescribers

Our current resources suitable for non-medical prescribers include:

Screening populations, monitoring people, examining patients – an open learning programme that provides prescribers with a key set of relevant skills.

Patient-centred care - an open learning programme dealing with issues relating to adherence to medicines, as well as consultation and communication skills. This programme will be particularly useful for anyone currently undertaking the prescribing course

Non-medical prescribing - an online e-assessment, which assesses your current general knowledge about practice. Please note this is not linked to any specific programmes, and can be accessed from the prescribers portfolio in the left hand menu.

Coming soon

We are developing a series of CPD modules which will provide information and guidance on the legal and ethical aspects of prescribing, clinical governance, and evidence-based practice.

Look in the prescribers portfolio for these programmes.