Key Summary
- PSNI has opened a 12-week consultation running till 11 June.
- The draft standards replace the 2013 version to reflect major legislative and educational changes, including the new ability for pharmacists to register as prescribers immediately upon qualifying.
- The standards aim to protect the public, support professional judgment in diverse settings, and address modern care models like remote and digital prescribing.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a 12-week public consultation on its Draft Standards for Pharmacist Prescribers in Northern Ireland (2026).
Open from 19 March until 5pm on 11 June 2026, the consultation represents a critical step in updating the regulatory framework for the profession.
It will replace the 2013 Standards and Guidance for Pharmacist Prescribers and they have been developed to reflect the developments in legislation, education and pharmacy practice in Northern Ireland. It will also take into account the independent prescribing eligibility for pharmacists.
The draft standards are structured around seven core principles, covering person-centred care, scope of practice and competence, clinical judgement, communication and collaboration, safety and accountability, reflective practice, and professional and ethical standards.
Beyond establishing baseline expectations for all prescribers on the Register, the standards are designed to support professional judgment across increasingly diverse practice settings—including remote and digital prescribing environments.
The PSNI is inviting broad feedback from pharmacists, trainees, employers, education providers, and patients.
