1. The prescriber’s role: purpose, scope and accountability
What prescribing is; independent/supplementary models; competence; accountability; deciding not to prescribe.
Learning programme · #P14
Foundations of Prescribing - Pharmacist Prescribing Preparation Pathway
A 15-module pathway combining the 12 prescribing-foundation modules with three pharmacist-specific modules on the GPhC prescribing architecture, formal IP development where required, and transition into a safe prescribing role. It does not create GPhC annotation, replace an approved IP route or confer employer authorisation.
Who this programme is for
Registered pharmacists preparing for a separate independent-prescribing route, consolidating prescribing foundations or transitioning into a prescribing role, including awareness of the 2026 cohort transition. This ClinicalEdu pathway is preparatory education only.
Certificate process: Integrated final assessment + optional private reflection + course completion certificate
Sign in to record progress and qualify for a programme certificate.
2. Clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning
History, examination principles, red flags, investigations, differential diagnosis, uncertainty and escalation.
3. Applied pharmacology for prescribers
Mechanisms, dose-response, therapeutic index, adverse effects, tolerance/dependence and class reasoning.
4. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and individual variation
ADME, half-life, steady state, dose adjustment, age/frailty/genetics/physiology.
5. Safe prescribing, calculations and medicines information
Prescription components, numeracy, formulations/routes, BNF/formularies, evidence and decision support.
6. Interactions, contraindications and high-risk medicines
Drug interactions, allergies, high-risk medicines, monitoring and escalation.
7. Medicines optimisation, polypharmacy and deprescribing
Reconciliation, structured review, burden, adherence, deprescribing and shared decisions.
8. Prescribing in special situations
Renal/hepatic impairment, frailty, pregnancy/breastfeeding, children, weight, multimorbidity and route issues.
9. Monitoring, adverse reactions and pharmacovigilance
Baseline/follow-up monitoring, ADRs, Yellow Card, toxicity, safety-netting and incident learning.
10. Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship
Diagnosis, microbiology, local guidance, spectrum, dose/duration, review/de-escalation and resistance.
11. Patient partnership and complex prescribing decisions
Consent, capacity, communication, adherence, remote prescribing, self/family prescribing and complex judgement.
12. Governance, errors and transition to formal prescribing education
Professional standards, documentation, scope, legal/employer governance, incidents, portfolios and next steps.
13. The pharmacist independent prescriber role
Current GPhC architecture, 2026 transition, legacy routes, accountability and multidisciplinary prescribing.
14. Preparing for formal IP development and prescribing practice
Approved routes where required, assessment/diagnostic development, supervised practice and evidence.
15. Governance, scope and transition into an IP role
Employer governance, service scope, controlled drugs, remote prescribing, supervision and maintaining competence.
Course completion
Sign in to complete the integrated final assessment and receive the course certificate.
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