Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

Attain the ability to prescribe autonomously for any condition within your clinical competence and help provide your patients with improved access to care and medicines. Experience new professional opportunities and improve your job satisfaction.

A student dressed in a white lab coat and protective eyewear and gloves using a pipette in a laboratory

LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration12 months

Fee£1,688

Course codeCID1375

Course summary

This is the only GPhC-approved Independent Prescribing course designed specifically for pharmacists in the north-east of England.

Successful students of the course are awarded a Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing. This General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)-accredited qualification is required for your annotation as an independent prescriber and is the first step on a truly career-changing pathway.

The course usually takes 12 months to complete, although it can be completed in less time. You'll attend ten mandatory study days, including assessments, where you'll study therapeutic topics, clinical skills, patient assessment, and much more. We'll give you the opportunity to develop your awareness, knowledge, and skills for the clinical assessment and physical examination of patients including the main anatomic/therapeutic areas: respiratory, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems.

You'll have the opportunity to study to achieve the learning outcomes stipulated in the GPhC’s Educational Standards(opens in new tab) with emphasis on clinical decision-making, patient safety, and the professional and ethical aspects of prescribing practice.

Once qualified, and with your registration appropriately annotated, you'll be able to take on new challenges and opportunities unavailable to non-prescribers. The course is transformative for your professional development and clinical utility and ultimately enhances your career choices and job satisfaction.

More information is available from the General Pharmaceutical Council(opens in new tab).

What you'll study

The content of this course reflects the General Pharmaceutical Council's syllabus for independent prescribing for pharmacists and conforms to the requirements of the Standards for Education and Training for Pharmacist Prescribers(opens in new tab).

How you'll learn

We offer a ‘blended’ approach to teaching and learning meaning you are offered a mixture of on-campus, live online, pre-recorded, and distance learning materials. We use a case-based learning strategy, employing case studies as the basis for learning, and utilise a variety of teaching and learning methods to achieve this including lectures, seminars, practical skills development sessions, presentations, self-directed learning, and mentored practice. These are supported by a comprehensive online learning environment to help you succeed in your studies.

The course runs twice a year, with intakes in October and January. You'll study either online or at the University for one day a week during the first term with associated independent study, followed by assessments in the form of a multiple choice question exam and a sequential clinical examination (these most commonly occur in the fourth month of the course).

You'll undertake at least 90 hours of supervised practice with a designated prescribing practitioner (DPP) and submit a written portfolio of evidence to complete your studies. The portfolio can be submitted up to a year after starting the course, but earlier completion is allowed.

Entry requirements

We require applicants to:

Be registered with the UK General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
Have appropriate patient-orientated experience in a UK hospital, community or primary care setting following your foundation year as defined by the GPhC’s Standards for Education and Training
Hold or be working toward a recognised clinical qualification at postgraduate diploma level or above, or be able to provide an equivalent portfolio of evidence of clinical experience (if you are unable to meet this entry requirement, you should consider applying for MSc Clinical Pharmacy which includes an optional independent prescribing module).
Have an identified area of clinical practice for independent prescribing and the agreement of a DPP to supervise your learning in practice

Applications should be received by 31 July for October entry and 31 October for January entry.

To apply for this course contact cpd@sunderland.ac.uk. Please also download the Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) guide.pdf(opens in new tab) for your DPP to review.

Please note, we're unable to accept international applications.

Fees and finance support

The employer usually meets course costs – we advise you to speak to your workforce development lead before applying.

We also accept self-funded applicants and encourage anyone wishing to explore their options to contact cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Apply now

Contact the Corporate and Professional Education team for further information about applying for this course by calling 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or emailing cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).