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Independent & Supplementary Prescribing for Pharmacists - HEA00121M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 30 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Professional requirements

Due to Professional, Regulatory Statutory Bodies (PRSB), different admissions criteria are used to achieve ensure the student is compliant with the relevant PRSB. Students will:

  • Be registered on the relevant professional register (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) , General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)) 
  • Provide evidence of academic ability (previous study at level 6 or 7 or assessed written piece) 
  • Have at least 2 years appropriate patient orientated experience in a hospital, community or primary care setting following their pre-registration year (pharmacists) 
  • Have at least 3 years’ post qualification experience (AHP’s) and working as an advanced practitioner (or equivalent)
  • Have an approved Practice Assessor (Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) who is a registered healthcare professional and meets the Royal Pharmaceutical Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners (2019)
  • Have identified an area of clinical practice in which to develop their prescribing skills and have up to date clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to their intended area of prescribing practice (pharmacists).
  • Have written confirmation of employer support

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The programme aims to support registered pharmacists to acquire the competencies for Independent and/or Supplementary Prescribing as set out in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2016) A competency framework for all prescribers and enabled by legislation.

There is an emphasis on teaching the generic principles of safe and effective prescribing practice. The curriculum provides a balance of theory and practice, using a range of teaching and learning strategies.

Module learning outcomes

On completion of the programme, prescribers will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in undertaking person-centred consultations, using diagnostic skills as required, leading to a prescribing decision.

  2. Apply a deep and systematic understanding of pharmacology and medicines optimisation to prescribing practice.

  3. Critically review and synthesise the local, national and global influences on prescribing practice.

  4. Plan safe and effective management, informed by a systematic understanding of the evidence base underpinning prescribing practice.

  5. Synthesis and apply evidence  which informs and empowers the individual within shared decision making.

  6. Critically appraises the ethical, legal and professional frameworks which underpin prescribing practice.

  7. Analyse complex data from appropriate quality assurance tools, including audit, to improve prescribing practice.

  8. Critically reflect on the skills of self and colleagues to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to enhance prescribing practice.

Module content

Consultation, medicines optimisation, pharmacology, numeracy, antimicrobial stewardship, prescribing across the lifespan, polypharmacy, deprescribing, adverse drug reactions, legal, ethical and professional considerations, influences on prescribing practice, consent and capacity, tools and resources to support prescribing practice.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 0
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 0
Essay/coursework 100
Practical 0

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 0
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 0
Essay/coursework 100
Practical 0

Module feedback

Written feedback for the oral presentation is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Students are provided with collective exam feedback relating to their cohort, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) (2018) The code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.  London. Nursing & Midwifery Council.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) Standards for Prescribing Programmes. London. Nursing and Midwifery Council

Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) (2016) A competency framework for all prescribers. London. Royal Pharmaceutical Society.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.