Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists GPHC Level 7 (Health CPD)
Key details
- Module Cost
- £2,490
- Further Information
- hsc.prescribing@uea.ac.uk
- Application Guidance
- How To Apply for CPD Courses - Health Sciences - About (uea.ac.uk)
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Module Overview / Introduction
PLEASE NOTE: This programme is currently undergoing approval by the GPhC, with the intention that full approval will be in place by the time of enrolment.
Independent prescribing is an established and integral component of contemporary healthcare delivery in the United Kingdom (UK). Pharmacists, nurses, paramedics and other Allied Health Professionals prescribe for a wide range of acute and long-term conditions, contributing to safe, effective and timely access to medicines and improved patient care.
This module is designed to meet the General Pharmaceutical Councils (GPhC) Standards for prescribing (GPhC 2022) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2021). On successful completion, pharmacist independent prescribers in training will be able to demonstrate that they meet the required standards and may apply to have their entry on the professional register annotated as an Independent Prescriber.
Participants will develop enhanced consultation skills to support your decision making based on sound history taking, consideration of complex differential diagnoses and development of an evidence-based and holistic management plan agreed with their patient to support shared decision making and adherence.
Throughout the module, participants will develop a robust understanding of clinical pharmacology and application to prescribing practice to ensure patient safety and public protection. They will also consider wider influences on prescribing decisions, including cost-effectiveness, clinical governance, and professional accountability.
On successful completion of the module, participants will be able to prescribe safely and effectively within their defined scope of practice, contributing to timely access to medicines. They will also be equipped to engage in continuing professional development through clinical audit, evaluation of care, and other strategies to support ongoing improvement in prescribing practice and lifelong learning.
Learners must meet the GPhC specified criteria for admission to the course. Pre-requisites, learners must:
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Be an GPhC registered pharmacist
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Have the support of their line manager and a suitably qualified and prepared Practice Assessor, referred to as the Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP), who can commit to facilitating a minimum of 90 hours of supervision practice. The DPP must meet the competencies set out in the Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners (RPS 2019). Other appropriately qualified practitioners may contribute to supervision under the oversight of the DPP.
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It is recommended that learners have prior experience of physical assessment and clinical history-taking relevant to their intended scope of prescribing practice. Learners who have completed prior study in this area may find they are better prepared for the clinical demands of the programme; however, completion of a physical assessment module is not a mandatory entry requirement. The programme provides structured support and targeted skills development to enable all learners to safely develop and apply these skills within their prescribing scope.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically consider and apply effective communication and clinical reasoning skills in the systematic and comprehensive assessment of an individual (patient) through the age ranges using a person-centred approach
- Critically reflect on the use of a holistic approach and current knowledge to design an appropriate evidence-based treatment plan utilising pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches
- Critically evaluate relevant data, information, and personal factors in order to enable an individual (patient) to make an informed choice about their treatment and support adherence
- Plan implementation, recording and monitoring of safe, evidence-based, clinically appropriate & effective prescribing practice adapting the management plan appropriately in complex situations
- Critically appraise own practice through a reflective approach to evaluate own knowledge & skills and develop a plan for own learning needs in order to minimise risk and ensure safe practice
- Critically appraise and apply current legal, regulatory, & professional frameworks to prescribing practice demonstrating an awareness of ethical issues and influences on prescribing decisions
- Critically analyse the contribution of teamwork to safe prescribing practice and appraise the importance of reviewing own and others prescribing practice through appropriate measures
Learning outcomes map to: Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers.
Teaching & Assessment
The course is delivered in a tailored blended approach of predominantly online asynchronous self-directed learning, with a weekly live webinar (synchronous) and face to face taught sessions that can be accessed remotely.
In total around 400 hours of student effort is required
• Numeracy assessment
• Pharmacology examination
• Practice assessment document
• Critical Analysis of a Prescribing Encounter
Practice-based supervision and assessment is required by a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner who has completed UEA Practice Assessor Training or equivalent.
Minimum time for practice-based supervision and assessment: 90 hours
Course Dates
September 2026
Online Learning Block Release Dates: Every week on a Friday commencing 18/09/2026
Face to Face or Hybrid sessions: 22/09/2026, 10/11/2026 10:00-16:00
In Person Skills: 13/10/2026 10:00-16:00
Live Online Sessions: Every Tuesday commencing 29/09/26 13:00-15:00
Numeracy Assessment and Pharmacology Exam: 19/01/2027
Application Deadline: 28/05/2026
January 2027
Online Learning Block Release Dates: Every week on a Friday commencing 08/01/2027
Face to Face or Hybrid sessions: 13/01/27, 03/03/27, 10:00-16:00
Clinical Skills In Person: 03/02/27, 10:00-16:00
Live Online Sessions: Every Wednesday commencing 20/01/27 13.00-15.00
Numeracy Assessment and Pharmacology Exam: 12/05/2027
April 2027
Online Learning Block Release Dates: Every week on a Friday commencing 16/04/2027
Face to Face or Hybrid sessions: 20/04/27, 08/06/27 10.00-16.00
Clinical Skills Workshop: 11/05/27 10.00-16.00
Live Online Sessions: Every Tuesday commencing 27/04/27 13.00-15.00
Numeracy Assessment and Pharmacology Exam: 31/08/2027
How to Apply / Disclaimer
To apply for this as a single module as part of your Continuing Professional Development please enter the application system via our Professional Development section.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.
Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. Nevertheless, inadvertent errors in information may occur. The information contained in this webpage has been supplied from a variety of sources, and is subject to change. Please ensure you check all module information and timetable provided through the official student information systems.