From 2026, all pharmacists will be qualified independent prescribers (IPs) when they first join the register. But for those already in the workforce, more and more IP training places are opening up. The first IPs qualified in 2006 and the numbers on the register have been steadily increasing since then, reaching more than 14,000 by the middle of 2022.
Demographics
White, female pharmacists are over-represented as independent prescribers
As of August 2022, there were more than 14,000 independent prescribers on the General Pharmaceutical Council register
67% of independent prescribers identify as female, compared with 62% of pharmacists on the register
Most independent prescribers are in the early to middle of their careers
Just over half (53%) of independent prescribers whose ethnicity is recorded are white, compared with 40% of pharmacists on the register
Although most independent prescribers have a registered address in England, as a proportion of the whole register, England has the fewest independent prescribers. Hover over map to see more data.
Sector split
Most prescribers work in secondary care (although secondary care was over-represented among survey respondents).
