Royal College of Pharmacy launches enhanced post-registration standard and credential for newly qualified pharmacist prescribers 

The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) is today (7 September) launching its Enhanced Pharmacist Curriculum and Credentialing Pathway, establishing a nationally recognised professional standard for pharmacists developing their practice after registration as prescribers.  The pathway is launched as pharmacist prescribing is integrated into registration, with most newly qualified pharmacists, from 2026, entering practice as independent prescribers and taking on more autonomous clinical responsibilities early in their careers.  Developed with a broad range of stakeholders across pharmacy, healthcare, education and patient representatives, the Enhanced Pharmacist Curriculum and Credentialing Pathway supports pharmacists to develop the professional judgement, breadth of experience and confidence needed to manage increasingly complex care safely and effectively.  The Enhanced Pharmacist Curriculum and credential provide a nationally recognised pathway from initial registration. It also provides a foundation for continued development through advanced level practice and towards consultant-level practice.  It will help pharmacists build confidence, broaden their clinical and prescribing scope and demonstrate capability through workplace-based credentialing – giving employers, partners, patients and the public assurance that pharmacists are developing safely and consistently to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.  The curriculum sets outcomes across five domains:  person-centred care and collaboration professional practice  leadership and management  education  research and evaluation  Through the accompanying national pathways, pharmacists will build a portfolio of evidence from their everyday practice using a new e-portfolio platform developed specifically by the royal college for this purpose. They will be supported by structured learning, supervision, feedback and reflection. Portfolios submitted for credentialing will be independently assessed against the curriculum outcomes by the royal college, providing assurance to pharmacists, employers, patients and the public.  Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said:  “The introduction of pharmacist prescribing at registration is a defining moment for our profession. Registration provides the foundation, but confidence and professional judgement continue to develop through experience, support and reflection.  “The Enhanced Curriculum gives pharmacists and employers a clear, shared standard for that next stage of development and will support pharmacists to deliver safe, high-quality care, while giving employers, the wider health system and patients greater assurance.”  Supporting implementation across GB  The Enhanced Curriculum and Credentialing pathway provides a shared professional standard across the UK, while training, access and funding arrangements reflect the different national systems.  In England, eligible pharmacists will be granted e-portfolio access and supported through NHS England’s commissioned Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Programme pathway.   In Scotland, the national pathway will provide eligible pharmacists with structured development and e-portfolio access, with the Enhanced credential positioned as a clear endpoint.  In Wales, eligible pharmacists will be supported through the Health Education and Improvement Wales Model of Support, including access to structured development, the e-portfolio and the Enhanced credential as a clear endpoint.  The College is also working with employers, education providers and national partners to support consistent implementation and access to appropriate supervision, learning opportunities and protected development time.  Joseph Oakley, Associate Director of Assessment & Credentialing at the Royal College of Pharmacy, commented:  “A curriculum alone cannot transform practice. Pharmacists also need supportive workplaces, skilled supervisors and collaborators to provide observation and feedback, varied clinical and professional experiences and time and space to develop and build their portfolio.  “We are asking employers and system leaders to use our Enhanced Curriculum and Credentialing Pathway as part of their workforce and service-development planning, helping newly qualified pharmacists to translate their registration as prescribers into confident, more autonomous practice.”  The Enhanced Curriculum, eligibility information and guidance on national routes are available on the enhanced curriculum and credentialing homepage. Read more news stories.