Overview

In 2006 legislation was passed that permitted appropriately qualified pharmacists to assume the role of Independent Prescriber. This was an extension of prescribing rights from the initial supplementary prescribing role that many pharmacists had been fulfilling since 2004.

Pharmacists who wish to take on the prescribing role must complete an education programme that fulfils the requirements stipulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Our preparatory course for pharmacist independent prescribers provides 60 Masters level academic credits. On successful completion of the course you will be eligible to register with the GPhC to carry out an Independent Prescribing and/or Supplementary Prescribing role; and will also be awarded the Certificate in Prescribing Studies (Independent Prescribing) postgraduate University award.

Choice and flexibility are key features of the School of Pharmacy Postgraduate programmes. The Independent Prescribing course may also be used towards a Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Practice or an Advanced Practitioner award.  

Why choose to study the Independent Pharmacist Prescribing course at Keele? 

The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning, part of the School of Pharmacy at Keele University, has a reputation for providing stimulating education programmes for general practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and other members of the health care team. We offer a multidisciplinary approach that ensures our courses encompass a broad range of skills and are responsive to the changing health care environment.

We are very proud that The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning in the School of Pharmacy was the first education provider in the UK to have its course for preparing pharmacists as supplementary prescribers accredited by the RPSGB in June 2003. We were also among the first to provide an Independent Prescribing (IP) Conversion Course and a Keele graduate was the first pharmacist to qualify as an independent pharmacist prescriber in the UK in January 2007.  Since 2007 in the region of 200 pharmacists have qualified as Independent Prescribers with Keele.

Our course is designed specifically for pharmacists and both the course manager and course tutors have extensive experience of working in a prescribing role. In addition our course has been approved by the GPhC to be delivered by a distance learning format requiring only seven days attendance at the University over a 6 month period. The distance learning format of the courses enables busy health professionals to study where and when it is most convenient to them. If you are still wondering whether the IP course is for you have a look at the Preparing to Prescribe toolkit that was developed by Surrey University with input from Keele.

Module aims

The aim is stipulated by the GPhC:

To enable pharmacists to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the learning outcomes set by the GPhC within the four domains of:
person-centred care;
professionalism;
professional knowledge and skills;
collaboration.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

• Recognise the psychological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people
• Understand and meet their legal responsibilities under equality and human rights legislation and respect diversity and cultural differences
• Take responsibility for ensuring that patient-centred care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs
• Demonstrate appropriate history-taking techniques through effective consultation skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the prescriber in working in partnership with people who may not be able to make fully informed decisions about their health needs
• Support individuals to make informed choices that respect people's preferences
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of their own role and the role of others in multi-professional teams
• Recognise their own role as a responsible and accountable prescriber who understands legal and ethical implications
• Apply relevant legislation and ethical frameworks related to prescribing, including remote prescribing and the handling and sharing of confidential information
• Recognise and manage factors that may influence prescribing decisions
• Apply local, regional and national guidelines, policies and legislation related to healthcare
• Reflect on and develop their own prescribing practice to ensure it represents current best practice
• Apply an understanding of health economics when making prescribing decisions
• Understand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to peopleUnderstand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to people
• Understand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to peopleUnderstand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to peopleUnderstand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to people
• Recognise other professionals' practice and raise concerns related to inappropriate or unsafe prescribing by other prescribers
• Apply evidence-based decision-making in all aspects of prescribing
• Manage the risks and benefits associated with prescribing decisions
• Demonstrate the application of pharmacology in relation to their own prescribing practice
• Demonstrate clinical and diagnostic skills in clinical settings appropriate to their scope of practice
• Create and maintain appropriate records which ensure safe and effective care and align with relevant legislation
• Identify relevant investigations and interpret results and data in their prescribing practice
• Utilise current and emerging systems and technologies in safe prescribing
• Identify and respond to people's needs when prescribing remotely
• Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve patient outcomes
• Recognise and manage prescribing and medication errors
• Recognise the public health issues in promoting health as part of their prescribing practice
• Work collaboratively with others to optimise individuals' care, understanding their roles in the prescribing process
• Recognise their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
• Recognise when and where to refer people appropriately
• Collaborate with people to encourage them to take responsibility for managing care
• Demonstrate appropriate consultation skills to get information from individuals who are either unaware of or guarded about their health needs, to inform safe prescribing
• Recognise when to seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team or appropriate authority

Entry requirements

Only pharmacists with 2 years post-registration experience in a UK pharmacy setting are eligible to apply for a place on this course.

The entrance requirements are stipulated by the GPhC and the University. All entrants to the Keele University Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course must meet the following requirements:

• Current registration with GPhC &/or PSNI as a practising pharmacist
• Have at least two years appropriate patient orientated experience practising in a hospital, community or primary care setting following their pre-registration year;
• Identify an area of clinical practice and need in which to develop their prescribing skills;
• Have up-to-date clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to their intended area of prescribing practice;
• Able to provide written endorsement from an appropriate medical practitioner (the 'designated medical practitioner' - DMP) that s/he will supervise the 'learning in practice' element of the Course, in the clinical area in which the pharmacist intends to prescribe independently immediately on qualification;
• Demonstrate how they reflect on their own performance and take responsibility for their own CPD;
• Demonstrate how they will develop their own networks for support, reflection and learning, including prescribers from other professions.

Module content

The course content is dictated by the General Pharmaceutical Council and may be viewed from the following link:

http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/education/pharmacist-independent-prescriber

Teaching and assessment

This is a distance learning programme that includes six compulsory days (one day per month) face to face teaching at the University.  Learning materials are delivered by distance learning technologies based on structured and interactive learning resources and may include on line group discussions, webinars and screencasts.

A variety of assessment methods are used to enable you to meet the learning outcomes. These include:

• Case presentation - oral presentation.
• Case discussion - conducted and assessed by Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP).
• 2,500 word practice-based audit - written.
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
• Reflective portfolio, including a Learning Outcomes/Prescribing Competencies Workbook.