The independent prescribing (IP) in community pharmacy pathfinder programme has “saved” many pharmacists from abandoning the profession, an evaluation of the programme has revealed.
Researchers from the University of Manchester and ICF International, who conducted the evaluation, said “many” participating pharmacists “felt the programme ‘saved’ them from leaving the sector by allowing them to use their full clinical skills”.
The evaluation also found that pharmacists involved in the programme “reported significant increases in job satisfaction” and felt it was a “crucial opportunity to utilise the skills [they] had gained over many years”.
Read more: NHSE to pilot ‘early career pathway’ for newly registered IPs
NHS England (NHSE) launched the pathfinder programme in around 200 pharmacies across England in August 2023, and said it would test “different prescribing models” with a view to creating a commissioning “framework” for independent prescribing in community pharmacy.
It comes ahead of September 2026, when all newly qualified pharmacists will become independent prescribers on the day of their registration.
Read more: NHSE to ‘consult’ with CPE on national prescribing service
The participating sites tested how pharmacist prescribing can be incorporated into three clinical models:
- Existing services, including acute minor illnesses and contraception
- Long-term conditions, including prescribing for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and women’s health
- Novel services, including reducing overprescribing, reviewing antidepressants and menopause
Findings
The researchers found that a “joint partner approach” between the pharmacist prescriber and the local GP practice was “fundamental” for the long-term condition models, to “ensure joined-up collaboration for improved patient access and care”.
And they said the “implementation and long-term viability of an IP service” were “dependent” on five key areas: clinical governance, clinical supervision, optimal skill mix, digital infrastructure and a financially viable funding model.
Read more: Sector ‘not ready’ for IP revolution, IPA board member warns
The evaluation also noted that integrated care boards (ICBs) were “instrumental in guiding sites through assurance processes, developing clinical governance and fostering stronger relationships between GPs, community pharmacy and other stakeholders”.
But it said “securing clear indemnity” for community pharmacists to deliver prescribing models was “challenging” as insurance companies were unfamiliar with the new model.
It added that clinical supervision - something it said “is traditionally scarce in community pharmacy” - was “usually provided by a GP through regular one-to-one sessions” and “was highly valued by pharmacist prescribers as it helped to build their confidence and GP’s trust”.
Read more: ‘Game-changer’: Boots sets out ‘ambition’ for IP in every store
The researchers said they also found:
- Commissioning strategies were necessary to “generate predictable patient volumes to ensure a financially viable service”
- Holistic patient care was made “more challenging” by having limited, read-only access to patients’ records - and the IP pharmacists who had read/write access “found it easier to collaborate in a timely fashion with GPs and other GP practice-based healthcare professionals”
- The wider pharmacy team requires a “good skill mix” to “ensure pharmacist prescribers have the capacity to deliver the service”
Read more: DH ‘committed’ to pharmacy prescribing services
It comes after NHSE revealed in November that it will pilot an early careers pathway this year to onboard newly registered pharmacists as they join the workforce with prescribing qualifications.
NHSE confirmed to C+D that it is planning to test a cross-sector onboarding pathway for newly registered pharmacist prescribers from 2026, and that this will include all sectors of pharmacist practice including community pharmacy.
And in October, NHSE’s new planning framework for 2026/27 to 2028/29 revealed that it has instructed ICBs to introduce prescribing services in pharmacies this year.
