Pharmacist independent prescribing given go-ahead
Pharmacists with extra training will be able to prescribe from early
next year |
Pharmacists and extended formulary nurse prescribers are to be given the right to prescribe independently any licensed medicine for any condition, with the exception of Controlled Drugs, the Department of Health has announced.
Last week, Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, said that
responses to the consultation
on independent prescribing (PJ, 5 March,
p257) were overwhelmingly in favour of allowing appropriately qualified
pharmacists and nurses to prescribe any licensed medicine for any condition. “This
is very good news for patients who will benefit from quicker and more
accessible services. It also demonstrates our confidence in nurses and
pharmacists, and our wish to use their skills and professionalism to
the full,” she said.
Commenting on the announcement, Gul Root, principal pharmaceutical officer
at the DoH, said: “Independent prescribing by pharmacists from
the full British National Formulary fully recognises pharmacists’ expertise
in medicines and their clinical skills. We need to ensure that we deliver
to patients a safe service within robust clinical governance arrangements,
by pharmacists who are competent and well trained.”
The news has been received with little enthusiasm by members of the medical
profession, with Paul Miller, chairman of the BMA’s consultants’ committee,
commenting that it is “an irresponsible and dangerous move”.
Hemant Patel, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that
despite the concerns raised by the BMA, there is much support for this
move. He described it as “a significant milestone in the development
of pharmacy services”.
Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee, commented: “It is unfortunate that GP leaders are reacting
so negatively. All professions should focus on working together to provide
the best care for patients.” She added that independent prescribing
will complement community pharmacy services being provided under the
new contract, particularly support for long-term conditions.
The announcement builds on a number of prescribing initiatives in Scotland,
according to Frank Owens, chairman of the Scottish Pharmaceutical General
Council. “Pharmacists in all 176 pharmacies throughout Ayrshire & Arran
and Tayside board areas already act as independent prescribers, providing
treatment on the NHS for those patients suffering from common self-limiting
illness. These latest proposals will give pharmacists providing this
service access to a far greater range of medicines than at present.”
John D’Arcy, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association,
said: “As the health professionals who have spent most time during
their training studying medicines, pharmacists are well placed to take
on independent prescribing responsibilities.” He added that the
NPA believes that independent prescribers must undergo comprehensive
training and should only prescribe within their sphere of competency.
The Society will be reviewing pharmacists’ training needs but has
yet to release details of the training that will be required to qualify
as an independent prescriber.
Independent prescribers in hospital pharmacy should allow for redesign
of services to benefit patients, according to Tony West, president of
the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists.
Medicines and NHS regulations will be amended so that suitably trained
pharmacists can begin prescribing independently from spring 2006. Detailed
guidance on its implementation will be published by the DoH closer to
this date.
News feature p627 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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