The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) released its competency framework for designated prescribing practitioners last month (December 19), which Ms Gidley told C+D would “benefit community pharmacy in particular”.

It comes after regulations were changed in 2019 to allow designated prescribing practitioners, such as pharmacists, to supervise trainee independent prescribers.

“In the past, some community pharmacists have struggled to find a suitable designated medical practitioner to supervise their training in practice, making it difficult to succeed in the course,” Ms Gidley explained.

The framework aims to help universities and training providers check that designated prescribing practitioners have “the right competencies” for the role and will “underpin the quality of training in practice”, the RPS said.

The document outlines the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours needed in a designated prescribing practitioner, and is designed to “ensure consistency in the competencies required of all healthcare professionals carrying out the role”. It also offers support to “experienced independent prescribers” in supervising trainees.

Having more community pharmacists train as prescribers is “important”, as it will mean that “services are more likely to be commissioned”, Ms Gidley stressed.

“We believe NHS England should give greater consideration to how community pharmacist prescribers can be best used in order to free up GPs’ time,” she added.

More information about the competency framework can be found on the RPS website.