As the pharmacy profession prepares for the first cohort of independent prescribers to qualify, we speak to Noma Al-Ahmad, CEO of ProPharmace.
In this interview, Noma shares her insight into this landmark moment for the profession, ProPharmace’s role in supporting future pharmacists, and the Future Pharmacist Conference 2026 (8 July), created to celebrate and guide trainees as they step into the next stage of their professional journey.
Interview with Noma Al-Ahmad, CEO of ProPharmace
Q: Noma, 2026 is being described as a landmark year for pharmacy. Why is this moment so important?
Noma Al-Ahmad: This is a truly significant moment for the pharmacy profession. For the first time, we will see foundation trainee pharmacists qualifying not only as pharmacists, but also as independent prescribers.
Pharmacy education has evolved significantly. It is more clinically focused, more ambitious, and better aligned with the future needs of healthcare. There has been a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of pharmacists for prescribing roles.
This cohort represents an important milestone in that journey. Their progression reflects years of work by pharmacy schools, education providers, supervisors and employers to support a more clinically focused future for the profession. They are entering practice with new skills, and new expectations.
Q: What role has ProPharmace played in supporting this cohort?
Noma Al-Ahmad In addition to our leading foundation programme, which supports trainees to prepare for and pass the registration assessment, ProPharmace was awarded the NHSE contract to deliver the core training offer for the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Programme from the 2025 academic year onwards across London, the South East and the East of England.
Through this programme, we supported around 1,200 foundation trainee pharmacists across all sectors of practice to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for modern pharmacy practice. It also supported the development of prescribing skills and capabilities.
Q: What makes ProPharmace’s approach to foundation training different?
Noma Al-Ahmad: Foundation training has changed considerably over the past few years, and placement providers have had to adapt. The introduction of national recruitment through Oriel, introduction of a new assessment strategy and e-portfolio and the need to embed prescribing placements have all made hosting a foundation trainee more complex. There is also a greater need for multidisciplinary collaboration, particularly when it comes to arranging multi-sector placements, prescribing placements and Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs).
As a result, placement providers and supervisors are facing a much heavier administrative burden, while still being expected to deliver high-quality placements and supervision.
Trainees’ expectations have changed too, and rightly so. They expect structured support, meaningful learning opportunities, and access to training that helps them build confidence throughout the year, With prescribing now forming a key part of the foundation year, trainees also need placements that help them develop both their clinical skills and their readiness for practice.
What makes ProPharmace different is that we understand the full journey for both trainees and supervisors. We have built in support that considers all these requirements for both trainees and supervisors. We have also successfully certified over 1,000 Designated Supervisors and DPPs through our supervisor training programmes, helping supervisors feel equipped in their role, while ensuring trainees receive high-quality training that supports their development and prepares them for the registration assessment with confidence.
Q: Considering the challenges you mentioned, would you still encourage employers to host a foundation trainee? What message would you give to employers who are thinking about it?
Noma Al-Ahmad: Absolutely. I would strongly encourage employers to host a foundation trainee. Although the landscape has become more complex, hosting a trainee remains one of the most rewarding ways to support someone at the start of their professional journey, contribute to workforce development, and give organisations the opportunity to grow their own talent.
The number of foundation training places within the national foundation trainee pharmacist recruitment scheme continues to exceed supply, That means employers need to think carefully about how they make their placement attractive, supportive and meaningful.
With harmonised funding of £27,295 per site, and greater flexibility in how placements can be designed, employers have a real opportunity to create exciting, innovative and high-quality training experiences.
So, my message to employers would be: go for it. Make it work for your organisation, think creatively about the placement you can offer, and use the support available. It is a valuable investment in the trainee, your organisation, and the wider pharmacy workforce.
Q: You are organising a big conference: the Future Pharmacist Conference 2026. Can you tell us more?
Noma Al-Ahmad: We felt this milestone deserved to be recognised properly. The Future Pharmacist Conference 2026 on 8 July marks a landmark moment for the pharmacy profession, bringing together the first cohort of foundation trainee pharmacists set to qualify as both pharmacists and independent prescribers.
It celebrates their achievement, recognises the opportunities ahead, and creates a space to inspire, connect, and empower trainees as they step confidently into the next stage of their professional journey.
We want trainees to feel proud of what they have achieved, but also excited about what comes next. The event will focus on career development, clinical learning, leadership, prescribing, and professional growth. Trainees will be able to explore career pathways and connect with employers, organisations, and sector partners.
There will also be opportunities for networking, alongside a poster area showcasing trainee research, innovation, and service improvement. We want the day to feel inspiring, practical, and forward-looking.
Q: Finally, what message would you like to give trainees?
Noma Al-Ahmad: My message is to recognise the importance of this moment and to be proud of your achievement. You are part of a landmark cohort, entering the profession at a time of real change and opportunity. Pharmacy needs professionals who are clinically capable, compassionate, adaptable, and ready to lead.
Be curious, be ambitious, and keep learning.
