Independent prescribing: from policy to practice in community pharmacy

Independent prescribing has been on community pharmacy’s horizon for some time. In 2026, however, some of the changes the sector has spent years preparing for are becoming a reality. 

This summer saw the first newly qualified pharmacists reach registration with independent prescribing incorporated into their initial education and training. At the same time, the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework has set out plans to introduce a national NHS independent prescribing offer from this autumn, giving community pharmacists new opportunities to put those skills into practice. 

With the workforce and service model now beginning to change together, the focus is increasingly on implementation: how prescribing will fit into day-to-day community pharmacy, what support pharmacists will need, and how pharmacies can prepare. 

 

Progress so far 

This year has brought several important developments. The first cohort of pharmacists trained under the new standards are reaching registration with independent prescribing incorporated into their initial education and training. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has also published advice for newly qualified prescribing pharmacists, with a clear emphasis on working within individual scope of practice, recognising the limits of competence and having appropriate support in place. 

At the same time, the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) has provided greater clarity on how those prescribing skills could begin to practice within NHS community pharmacy services. 

From autumn 2026, a national NHS IP offer is set to be introduced as an extension of Pharmacy First and the Pharmacy Contraception Service. Pharmacist independent prescribers will be able to prescribe within existing pathways, while up to five new prescribing-only pathways are also planned, subject to clinical approval. 

For participating pharmacies, the initial funding model includes a one-off £500 set-up payment, a £525 monthly infrastructure payment and consultation fees, with an approved electronic prescribing system also forming part of the requirements. Community Pharmacy England currently expects the service to begin in the autumn, likely in October, subject to the necessary preparatory work. 

 

Beyond the qualification 

These developments mark significant progress, but gaining an IP qualification is only one part of the picture. 

Throughout our research for the Pharmacy Show this year, questions around confidence, governance and implementation have repeatedly emerged. Earlier this year, pharmacists raised questions about what newly qualified prescribers could reasonably be expected to do, how employers should support them and how prescribing can be incorporated safely into already busy community pharmacy environments. 

These questions are even more important as policy has now arrived at everyday practice. 

Independent prescribers must still work within their own scope of practice, meaning that holding the qualification does not automatically mean being ready to prescribe across every clinical area. For newly qualified pharmacists in particular, access to supervision, peer support and opportunities to build experience will therefore be important. 

For employers and pharmacy owners, there are practical considerations too. Prescribing requires time for consultations, appropriate governance and digital infrastructure, alongside a workforce model that allows pharmacists to take on greater clinical responsibility while the pharmacy continues to deliver its existing services and medicines supply function. 

There is also the question of the existing workforce. As newly qualified pharmacists enter practice as prescribers, community pharmacy will need to consider how experienced pharmacists without the qualification are supported alongside them. This was another issue raised during our research, with concern around how the changing skills mix could affect confidence, roles and professional development across the workforce. 

 

Sessions not to miss at Pharmacy Show 

Independent prescribing will run throughout this year’s conference programme, with sessions looking beyond the policy to explore what successful implementation could mean for pharmacy teams. 

 

Making independent prescribing profitable 

Keynote Theatre – Sunday 11 October – 14:15 – 15:00 

Henry Gregg, CEO, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) 

Olivier Picard, Chair, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Managing Director, Newdays Pharmacy Ltd 

 

Supporting confidence in newly qualified IPs 

Leadership, Workforce & Careers Theatre – Sunday 11 October – 15:45 – 16:15 

Alison Butt, Lead Pharmacist, General Practice Education, Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) 

David Gibson, Regional Lead, North East and Yorkshire School of Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation 

 

National Independent Prescribing Pathfinder: the community impact 

Primary Care Pharmacy Theatre – Sunday 11 October – 16:00-16:30 

Yinka Kuye, Head of Pharmacy, Primary Care Transformation, Thames Valley ICB 

Caroline Martinez, Community Pharmacy Integration Project Manager, Thames Valley ICB 

 

Managing menopause through independent prescribing 

Clinical Theatre – Sunday 11 October – 16:30 – 17:00 

Dina Thakker, Head of Medicines Optimisation, SWL ICS 

Sehar Shahid, Board Member, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Superintendent Pharmacist, 24 HR Pharmacy 

 

Masterclass: independent prescribing 

Clinical Theatre – Monday 12 October – 09:45 – 10:15 

Janice Oman, Scotland Manager, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) 

Sehar Shahid,  Board Member, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Superintendent Pharmacist, 24 HR Pharmacy 

Nick Kaye, Board Member, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and UK Delegate, World Pharmacy Council  

 

Ensuring clinical governance and regulatory frameworks with new IPs 

Pharmacy Owners’ Forum – Monday 12 October – 10:30 – 11:00 

Ishaq Goga, Advanced Clinical Practitioner & Lead Pharmacist, The Brooke Surgery 

 

Delivering independent prescribing with confidence 

Pharmacy Owners’ Forum – Monday 12 October – 11:10 – 11:40 

Sangeeta Singh, Policy and Programmes Manager, Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) 

 

As community pharmacy continues to take on a greater clinical role, independent prescribing represents a significant opportunity to make fuller use of pharmacists’ skills and expand the care available to patients closer to home. 

The challenge is turning ambition into a model that works safely and sustainably in practice.