Train. Develop. Progress. Repeat.

Pharmacists have been working in primary care for over a decade now, bringing expertise in medication use, safety and optimisation.  

In a sector where general practice supports patients with … well, any minor or chronic condition. What opportunities exist for pharmacy professionals?

I chair the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Primary Care Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group and work in training and development of pharmacy teams in primary care across the UK. I have an incredibly valuable insight into what pharmacy teams are asked to do in their day-to-day roles and the different paths they pursue. 

Pharmacy team training is structured of educational pathways: degrees, Masters and competency assessments. But after registration, there is no set career path, no accreditation, no specialism, no regulation.

With experience, pharmacy professionals may move into managerial roles or upskill clinically to advanced clinical practitioners or consultants. 

Unfortunately, the lack of recognised opportunities can lead to underutilised and undervalued pharmacy professionals, demotivation, burn-out and leaving the profession. 

From September 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be independent prescribers on the day of their registration. Here’s an opportunity to better understand and fully utilise pharmacists across all sectors. 

This does mean that our new workforce will be more qualified than some existing pharmacists if they’ve not completed the prescribing course.

I am an advocate for the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Portfolio, having completed this myself a few years ago. For any experienced pharmacists, I would urge you to look into this and start putting a portfolio together to demonstrate your advanced competencies.

I think this is an area the Royal College of Pharmacy can lead on:

• Supporting existing pharmacists to complete their IP and align with new workforce;
• Developing a framework of further development, qualifications and accreditation;
• Making opportunities open and accessible for pharmacy professionals in primary care.

If you have any ideas or comments regarding the above discussion, I’d love to hear them! Start a discussion with me on LinkedIn!  

No single person has all the answers, we need to work together.

If I am elected to the National Pharmacy Advisory Council, my aspiration is to help pharmacists learn more, love their jobs and best care for patients.

Sounds easy right? 

I’m committed and motivated to head in this direction and achieve great things for us. I look forward to sharing your ideas, leading our profession, representing pharmacy and primary care.

Stacey Middlemass

Candidate for the inaugural elections to the English Pharmacy Advisory Council