NHS England, along with the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) and the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm), has launched a pilot programme Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway to support this year’s newly qualified pharmacists as they begin their careers as independent prescribers (IPs).
Funded by NHS England, the pathway will provide newly qualified pharmacists a structured support during this crucial early stage of practice.
Pharmacists qualifying this year will join the register already annotated as IPs and their clinical responsibilities expand across different healthcare settings.
The new pathway is aligned to the RCPharm Enhanced curriculum, and it uses a blended learning approach including modular online learning, workshops, supervised learning events, use of an e-portfolio and support in the workplace from an educational supervisor.
It will help pharmacists grow confidence in prescribing, strengthen clinical decision‑making and develop the skills needed to manage increasingly complex patient care.
How to apply
Pharmacists annotated as IPs at the point of registration from any NHS‑providing sector will be eligible to apply.
The pilot will offer 1,200 places: 300 with CPPE-provided educational supervision and 900 with employer-provided educational supervision.
Places will be split across two cohorts, with around two-thirds in cohort 1 (September 2026) and one-third in cohort 2 (January 2027).
For the first cohort the applications will open on 1 September 2026; and for cohort 2 it will be 4 January 2027.
In addition to supporting learners, the pilot will help shape the future of pharmacist workforce development in England.
The feedback from participants, supervisors and employers will provide valuable insight into how best to support newly qualified early career pharmacist prescribers.
Training module
Pharmacists will be required to complete three modules, including Induction and ‘Getting ready to prescribe’ modules, and a choice of ‘Leadership and management’ or ‘Education’ modules.
A ‘Getting ready to prescribe’ core module supports building of confidence in prescribing practice, and consolidating consultation skills, clinical assessment skills, clinical reasoning and decision making.
The focus is on developing safe, confident and competent prescribing, consolidating on the skills developed during the foundation year. There will be a discussion forum to connect with peers and share practice.
The programme includes a choice of a leadership and management module or an education module.
This module focuses on leading teams, improving services and influencing practice. Participants will learn how to build personal resilience and strengthen skills such as communication.
The education module includes developing skills in supervision, feedback assessment and mentorship and designing and delivering effective learning activities.
