Community pharmacy prescribing services
Community pharmacy prescribing services are developing, providing more choice for patients, improving access to care and supporting a more efficient healthcare system. Upcoming changes mean roles for community pharmacists are being expanded further, and CPPE is here to support you in your preparation for these evolving roles.
Explore information about our prescribing courses and training – resources include the following:
- Prescribing learning gateway
- Preparing to train as an independent prescriber programme
- Extending your scope of prescribing practice programme
- Return to prescribing course
Background
In May 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced that they had reached agreement with NHS England and Community Pharmacy England (CPE) to introduce community pharmacy prescribing services through the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2026/27. This will enable approved pharmacist independent prescribers to provide a broader range of clinical services and improve patients’ access to medicines.
What will the community pharmacy prescribing services cover?
Approved prescribing pharmacies will be able to:
- prescribe for the seven conditions currently covered by the NHS Pharmacy First clinical pathways
- prescribe for five additional conditions under new NHS Pharmacy First prescribing pathways:
- low-frequency episodic migraine in adults aged 18–64 years
- seasonal allergic rhinitis in children aged 4–11 years
- acute otitis externa in adults
- mild-to-moderate acne in young people
- mild skin and soft tissue infections and scabies
- prescribe within the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, including supplying alternative contraceptive products where appropriate.
- provide Prescription Management when a prescription cannot safely or practically be supplied as written. This will allow an approved pharmacist independent prescriber to intervene when a prescription-related issue cannot be resolved through normal dispensing processes. This may include:
- medicine availability problems
- prescribing errors or omissions
- medicines that are no longer required
- prescription synchronisation.
NHS England have published the Professional assurance framework for delivering NHS community pharmacy clinical services which outlines best practice guidance and responsibilities for contractors and pharmacy professionals.
Community Pharmacy England have published further information and guidance on Prescribing within the CPCF, and its requirements.
This page will be updated as service specifications, clinical guardrails and clinical guidance become available. Pharmacists should always refer to the latest NHS England information before providing the services.