A new training initiative to help pharmacists train nurse prescribers was launched at a nurse prescribing conference held by the Association for Nurse Prescribing in Birmingham on October 12 and 13.
Representatives of the National Pharmaceutical Association presented a poster at the conference promoting a nurse prescriber support pack.
The role of pharmacists in supporting nurses in their new prescribing skills was also the focus of an address to the conference by Mr Matthew Shaw, one of the NPA's team of community pharmacy development co-ordinators.
Mr John D'Arcy (director, NPA) told The Journal on October 12: "The extension of nurse prescribing is an ideal opportunity for pharmacists to forge good working relationships with nurses.
"As part of their training, nurse prescribers are advised to spend time with their local pharmacist. This pack is designed as a supplement to the face-to-face training delivered by pharmacists and will prove a valuable resource for those nurses involved in prescribing."
The support pack comprises an A5 size wallet which contains a series of cards with information on good prescribing practice. The aim is that pharmacists will give the support pack to nurses to reinforce any advice or training they provide.