Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers (IP) – We Need You!
Published: 18/07/24
Our aim: is to have an Independent Prescribing Service in every community pharmacy across Scotland, and we need your help to achieve this!
Where we are: At this stage we are trying to determine the network’s capacity.
Picture this: Every time a patient accesses the community pharmacy there is a prescriber on hand to provide consultation for their common clinical condition. No more frustration when you know what the patient needs but don’t have the function to prescribe. No more referring to an IP elsewhere. No more confusion for patients on why one pharmacy can offer the service but not another. A one stop pharmacy for every community and their common clinical conditions.
What we need to achieve this: We need a collective effort by our network of qualified IPs to facilitate Period of Learning in Practice (PLP) within the community pharmacy network for trainees. By providing just half a day (4 hours) of PLP once per month for a year, you would be supporting peer development whilst driving service delivery in the long run.
We also need those who are eligible to consider becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) - Impart the skills and knowledge that you have developed from your learning and in practice experiences. Pass on the prescribing baton!
We know it’s a busy world out there and we appreciate the incredible work that is being done to provide fantastic health care to your communities. To ensure that all communities can access this advanced level of health care from their pharmacy, we must now work together to support the professional development it takes to get the whole network there. Let’s support trainee IPs in their learning journey to drive equal access to health care for all patients across Scotland.
Please complete the following survey to assist us in supporting you to join the cause!
There will be no sharing of any details, and all information submitted will be securely and confidentially held by CPS.
If you have any questions relating to this article, please contact enquiries@cps.scot
Full-time Dispensing Assistant role at East Craigs Pharmacy, Edinburgh. Supportive team, training provided, innovative pharmacy. Apply by 30 April 2026.