The GPhC has today published advice to support newly qualified prescribing pharmacists.
The majority of the pharmacists joining the GPhC register from summer 2026 will be independent prescribers from the point of registration. They have made fundamental changes to the initial education and training standards which are set to ensure pharmacists are ready to join the register as prescribers.
This includes embedding and developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for independent prescribing across the four-year pharmacy degree and the supervised foundation training year that all trainee pharmacists need to complete.
The advice covers areas including:
- GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers
- Scope of prescribing practice
- Support and mentorship
- Prescribing decisions
- Private prescribing
- Indemnity
- Revalidation
- What employers and managers should do to support newly qualified prescribers
The advice emphasises the importance of practising within individual scope, seeking appropriate support and mentorship, and making prescribing decisions in the best interests of the patient. It underlines the need to keep up to date, maintain appropriate indemnity cover, and engage in revalidation to support ongoing professional development.
The new guidance can be found here:
It should be applied alongside the GPhC’s standards for pharmacy professionals, guidance for pharmacist prescribers and other relevant standards and guidance. If there is anything that Pharmacy Consulting Limited can assist with regarding these new guidelines, please contact us.