GPhC Advice To Support Newly Qualified Prescribing Pharmacists
Published: 22nd September 2026
With the latest cohort of newly qualified prescribing Pharmacists joining the pharmaceutical register recently, a reminder that the GPhC published advice earlier this summer for prescribers, employers and managers to support this transition.
The advice highlights key considerations to help pharmacists prescribe safely, effectively and within their competence from the outset.
Key areas covered include:
GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers
Scope of prescribing practice
Support and mentorship
Prescribing decisions
Private prescribing
Indemnity
Revalidation
What employers and managers should do to support newly qualified prescribers
The advice emphasises the importance of practising within individual scope, seeking appropriate support and mentorship, and making prescribing decisions in the best interests of patients.
It also underlines the need to keep up to date, maintain appropriate indemnity cover, and engage in revalidation to support ongoing professional development.
This advice should be applied alongside the GPhC's standards for pharmacy professionals, guidance for pharmacist prescribers and other relevant standards and guidance applying to an individual's role and place of work.
The advice can be found by accessing the following link: GPhC publishes advice for newly qualified prescribing pharmacists
This information was correct at the time of publication. Policy and guidance can change, so please check our latest news for the current position. For anything else, please contact enquiries@cps.scot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Newly qualified prescribing pharmacists should seek appropriate support and mentorship as they transition into prescribing practice, helping ensure they prescribe safely, effectively and within their competence.
Source: General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/gphc-publishes-advice-newly-qualified-prescribing-pharmacists)
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The guidance covers scope of prescribing practice, support and mentorship, prescribing decisions, private prescribing, indemnity, revalidation and the responsibilities of employers and managers in supporting new prescribers.
Source: General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/gphc-publishes-advice-newly-qualified-prescribing-pharmacists)
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Employers and managers should support newly qualified prescribing pharmacists as they develop their prescribing practice and apply the guidance alongside relevant professional standards and workplace requirements.
Source: General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/gphc-publishes-advice-newly-qualified-prescribing-pharmacists)
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Maintaining appropriate indemnity cover and engaging in revalidation helps support ongoing professional development and safe prescribing practice.
Source: General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/news-and-updates/gphc-publishes-advice-newly-qualified-prescribing-pharmacists)
New GPhC advice highlights key considerations for newly qualified prescribing pharmacists, employers and managers.