In 2021, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) published the new Initial Education and Training Standards for pharmacists, requiring prescribing skills to be included in the undergraduate MPharm degree and foundation training year. From September 2026, newly qualified pharmacists will automatically become independent prescribers upon passing their registration exam. This change equips pharmacists to better meet growing patient care demands and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
Our progress
The Prescribing Integration Project explores innovative approaches to prescribing training for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists (FTPs), focusing on collaborative prescribing. This concept highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in prescribing.
Key developments include a steering group of 45 pharmacists from across south east London, including educational and clinical leads from hospitals, mental health Trusts, GP practices, and community pharmacies.
The project also included working groups that created resources such as:
- Workbooks.
- An FTP induction programme.
- A Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) training package, which prepares pharmacist prescribers to supervise trainees effectively.
Pilot programme
Between November 2023 and March 2024, over 50 DPP/FTP pairs were trained and inducted. This cross-system pilot included participants from hospitals and primary care, allowing DPPs to test various supervision models.
Key outcomes:
- A shift towards broader prescribing scopes, aligning with foundation-level training.
- Reduced barriers to DPP participation, fostering collaboration across settings.
Next steps
The project will undergo an evaluation to assess the success of different supervision models and the impact of the collaborative prescribing model. These findings will guide further improvements in prescribing training for foundation pharmacists.
