Wes Mountain
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) has launched a post-registration standard and credential for newly qualified pharmacist prescribers for all pharmacists across Great Britain.
In an announcement published on 7 September 2026, RCPharm said the new national standard and credential comes as the first cohort of newly qualified pharmacists join the register as independent prescribers, with the ability to prescribe from their first day of practice.
“[The enhanced pharmacist curriculum and credentialing pathway] sets UK-standards for enhanced pharmacist practice and supports pharmacists to develop through real-life professional experience, structured support and reflection, before demonstrating their capability through royal college credentialing,” RCPharm said.
The College added that the pathway offers a “nationally recognised professional standard for pharmacists developing their [prescribing] practice”, as well as provides a “foundation for continued development through advanced level practice and towards consultant-level practice”.
The pathway curriculum covers outcomes across five domains: person-centred care and collaboration; professional practice; leadership and management; education; and research and evaluation. The College said that it is accompanied by an e-portfolio, which pharmacists can use to evidence their developing skills and practice.
These portfolios can be submitted to RCPharm for credentialing, “providing assurance to pharmacists, employers, patients and the public”.
Joseph Oakley, associate director of assessment and credentialing at RCPharm, said: “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 pathway was developed following engagement with pharmacists, employers, educators, patients and national partners across the sector’s nations. It is open to all pharmacists, but those who are members of the College can access additional resources aimed at newly qualified pharmacists, RCPharm said.
Tase Oputu, president of RCPharm, 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.”
Commenting on the standard, Matt Barclay, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Scotland, said: “[The programme] provides a valuable framework to support pharmacists in Scotland (and across the UK) to advance their practice, improve patient care and contribute to the future of NHS services.”
On the same day that the pathway launched, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) published a white paper on credentialing and professional recognition in pharmacy.
The paper emphasises “the need for credible pathways that recognise demonstrated competencies”, as well as supporting professional development and patient need. The College’s pathway is included as a case study in the white paper.
