The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7399 p531
6 May 2006

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· Agenda for Change
· Independent prescribing
· Emergency contraception
· Statistics (2)
· Medicines use reviews (2)
· Section 60 Order
· Education
· The Society

Letters to the Editor

Independent prescribing

A great opportunity for the profession

From Mr C. O. Agomo, MRPharmS

The announcement that, from 1 May, suitably trained pharmacists, like their nursing colleagues, will be able to give out prescriptions to patients without the need to visit their GPs, is a big opportunity for the profession. However, my only concern is that the lack of suitably trained pharmacists might hamper this initiative.

One would expect patients to start flooding community pharmacies for their medicines soon, only to be disappointed and turned back by pharmacists because they are not yet trained.

The profession should act quickly to enable every practising pharmacist to be in the position to prescribe independently within the next few months. The present system of training for supplementary prescribers will need to be reviewed to make it easier for pharmacists to get the independent prescribing qualification. Moreover, one would expect every pharmacy school in the UK to incorporate the independent prescribing course into their curricula.

Most community pharmacies will probably need restructuring to create conducive environments for patients, at the same time delegating most dispensary activities to suitably trained technicians.

The Government is looking to the pharmacy profession to help reduce the pressure on the NHS. I hope this great opportunity is not missed.

Chijioke O. Agomo
London

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