Non Medical Prescribers

Non-medical prescribers (NMPs) or independent prescribers (IPs) are healthcare professionals who are qualified to prescribe medications but are not doctors. This group typically includes advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs), nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals who have undergone additional training and certification. NMPs/IPs play a vital role in enhancing patient care by improving access to medications, reducing delays in treatment, and streamlining the patient journey. Their ability to prescribe independently or in collaboration with doctors helps to alleviate pressure on general practitioners (GPs) and hospital doctors, promoting more efficient use of healthcare resources. NMPs also contribute to holistic, patient-centred care by utilising their specialist knowledge to make informed prescribing decisions, often in areas where they have specific expertise, such as chronic disease management, pain relief, or minor illness. This not only enhances patient safety and satisfaction but also fosters continuity of care and supports better health outcomes.

The NHS and wider healthcare system is increasingly being delivered through a multi-professional workforce, reflecting a shift towards more collaborative, team-based models of care, which from a primary care perspective this aligned closely with the NHS England modern general practice model. This approach brings together a range of healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, and other allied health practitioners—who work together to provide comprehensive, patient-centred care. The move towards a multi-professional workforce has been driven by several factors, including growing patient demand, workforce shortages, and the need to manage chronic conditions more effectively. By enabling a wider range of healthcare professionals to take on expanded roles, such as prescribing, triaging, and managing long-term conditions, healthcare services can become more efficient and accessible. This model also promotes continuity of care and allows patients to benefit from the diverse expertise of different professionals.

Furthermore, educational reforms, such as the new standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists (IETP) are preparing the future pharmacist workforce for prescribing responsibilities, as from August 2026 onwards, all newly qualified pharmacists will be IPs at the point of registration.

Please click on this link to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for all Prescribers for a comprehensive competency framework.

Supplementary prescribing

Supplementary prescribing is a voluntary partnership between an independent prescriber (usually a doctor or dentist) and a supplementary prescriber (a qualified non-medical professional), who together manage a patient’s care through a Clinical Management Plan (CMP). It was introduced to increase patient access to medicines and make better use of the skills of healthcare professionals.

Supplementary prescribing was seen as a transitional model, providing a safe, collaborative framework to expand prescribing beyond doctors. It helped:

Establish regulatory frameworks
Build confidence in non-medical prescribers
Demonstrate safe and effective prescribing practices by non-medics

Based on positive outcomes, many professions were later granted independent prescribing rights, allowing them to assess, diagnose, and prescribe autonomously.

Please see timeline below of the development of independent prescribing for non-medical professions:

The Department of Health specify which registered professionals can become non-medical prescribers. At present the eligible professionals included are:

Independent and supplementary prescribers

- Nurses/Midwives

- Pharmacists

- Physiotherapists

- Podiatrist

- Paramedics

- Optometrists

- Therapeutic Radiographers (secondary care)

Supplementary prescribers only

- Diagnostic Radiographers (secondary care)

- Dieticians

Eligibility Criteria for all multiprofessionals applying for independent prescribing or non-medical prescribing courses

· Registered with appropriate regulatory body (NMC, HCPC, GPhC)

· In good standing with regulatory body and any other healthcare regulator

· Have a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) with legal independent prescribing rights

· Provide evidence of a DBS check within the last 3 years

· Demonstrate employer/sponsor support and appropriate supervised practice arrangements; the support must include time to attend scheduled study days at the University, access to appropriate learning opportunities in practice and protected time to engage in practice development activities with an identified practice supervisor and practice assessor.

· Medicines and clinical governance arrangements must be in place

· Must have appropriate supervised practice in clinical area

Please see additional eligibility criteria for professional groups

AHPs:

· Must be registered with the HCPC

· Practising in an environment with identified need to prescribe independently

· Normally at least 3 years relevant post-qualification experience in prescribing area

· Working at First Contact Practitioner (FCP) or Advanced Practice level

· Qualified FCPs must have completed stage 1 and 2 of the roadmaps, either through a HEI/taught or verified portfolio pathway, as recommended by GP mythbuster 106: Staff not directly employed by a GP practice. Must be able to reflect on performance and demonstrate ongoing CPD

Nurses:

· Registered Nurse (Level 1)

· Registered with NMC for at least 1 year prior to application; under the new NMC standards, readiness for entry onto a prescribing programme is now determined by whether you can evidence the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to undertake the prescribing. See NMC Guidance from 2019: Becoming a prescriber

· Proficient in clinical assessment, diagnostics, care planning/management, and evaluation

· Must meet Future Nurse Proficiencies (NMC 2018); newly qualified nurses will have a higher level of proficiency in skills such as assessment, diagnostics, care planning and management, pharmacology and leadership

· Practice level should align with enhanced or advanced nursing practice as per national frameworks. See the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework

Post-registration Pharmacists:

• Applicants are registered as a pharmacist with the GPhC.

• Applicants must have relevant experience in a UK pharmacy setting and be able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills and attributes required by a prescriber to act as the foundation of their prescribing practice whilst training.

• For the purposes of developing their independent prescribing practice, applicants must identify an area of clinical or therapeutic practice on which to base their learning.

• The new guidance and standards mean that pharmacists will no longer need to have two years of practice and relevant experience in a specific clinical or therapeutic area to enrol in an independent prescribing course.

In addition to the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP), pharmacists supported with the PCN additional role reimbursement scheme (ARRS) are expected to undertake independent prescribing training if they have not already completed this. NHS England commissions Independent Prescribing training places at specific universities for pharmacists who have completed the pathway.

NHS England will only fund the course fees for eligible pharmacists at the universities outlined on the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing NHS England website.

Designated Prescribing Practitioners

Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPP) are multi-professionals who are responsible for supervising and assessing trainee NMPs and IPs, ensuring they develop the competencies needed for safe and effective prescribing. As prescribing across non-medical professions evolves and develops to meet the challenging needs of the multi-morbid and aging population, the need to upskill and increase the network of DPPs across primary care has become critical. DPPs are essential to the future of our primary care non-medical multi-professional workforce.

Benefits of being a DPP:

Enhances supervision skills
Develops mentoring skills
Opportunity for inter-professional learning
Reflection on own practice
Encourages CPD
Professional satisfaction
Inter-professional networking
CV inclusion

Please see the DPP competency framework to better understand the requirements and competencies of a DPP.

For Active Multiprofessional Prescribers and Medical Prescribers:

We invite you to join as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) in the NCL Teach and Treat Programme, supervising community pharmacists through their training journey to become independent prescribers. Participating host organisations will receive funding to develop a structured, supportive training plan. Once your trainee has completed their training and received annotation on their registration, they will commit to providing 90 hours of prescribing to support your practice/PCN, e.g. delivery of NCL LTC LCS and/or supporting QOF targets.

Express your interest by clinking this link: NCL Teach & Treat 2026 DPP EOI Form

NCL DPP/IP Forum

The NCL DPP/IP Forum is a dedicated space for Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs) across NCL to connect, share experiences, and support each other in their vital role of supervising and assessing trainee prescribers. Being a DPP comes with unique challenges, from ensuring safe and effective prescribing practice to balancing educational responsibilities with clinical workloads. Our aim is to provide a collaborative environment for peer support, continuous learning, and best practice sharing. Through discussions, case studies, and expert insights, we will explore key aspects of mentorship, competency assessment, and the evolving landscape of prescribing education—helping DPPs feel confident and well-supported in their role and ensuring IPs are feeling supported to prescribe safely and effectively.

The DPP/IP Forum is open to:

Multiprofessional DPPs or Pharmacist Educational Supervisors (ES)

Newly qualified prescribers

Trainee IPs

Foundation Trainee Pharmacists

Sessions run monthly, alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. You can join the meeting by registering using this link: NCL DPP/IP Forum registration link.

NCL DPP/IP Forum Values and Shared Commitments:

Respect
We value the unique experiences and insights each person brings. Let’s listen actively and honour differing viewpoints with kindness and respect.

Protect Confidentiality
To maintain trust, we agree that what’s shared in the Forum stays in the Forum. This ensures a safe space for open and honest discussions. Whilst we will endeavour to record the sessions, in particular direct teaching, any sensitive discussions will be removed from the recording before it becomes available.

Be Supportive and Encouraging
We’re here to uplift one another. Offer constructive feedback, celebrate progress, and avoid judgment—everyone is here to learn and grow. This is a space for teamwork and shared problem-solving. Let’s work together to find solutions and support each other’s professional growth.

Active Participation
While there’s no pressure to speak, active participation is a must. So, whether you’re sharing a thought, asking a question, or simply listening, your presence matters. Don’t hesitate to contribute—your voice is important. There’s no such thing as a silly question! Asking helps us all learn and creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue. If possible, keep your cameras on to foster connection and engagement.

Celebrate Each Other’s Successes
Share your achievements and cheer on others. Let’s build a pharmacy workforce that celebrates progress and positivity.

Share Feedback
Your suggestions help us improve. If there’s something we can do better, let us know—we’re committed to making this space valuable for everyone.

Suggestion for topics/discussions for future DPP/IP forum Survey

DPP Resource Hub

Please see links below for further information and useful resources for DPPs.

Competency Frameworks:

DPP competency framework | RPS

RPS Competency Framework for all Prescribers

Useful resources:

Understanding scope of practice and accountability when prescribing - The Pharmaceutical Journal

NHS England: Prescribing Supervision and Assessment in the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Programme from 2025/26

NHS England practice-based assessment strategy for 2025/26

DPP Training:

I want to be a Designated Prescribing Practitioner: Prescribing : CPPE