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Developing Your Role and Skills as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner
Preparing for the IETP reforms
Supporting all FY Pharmacists to gain Independent prescribing competence
The aim of the Designated Prescribing Practitioner role is
“to oversee, support and assess the competence of non-medical prescribing trainees, in collaboration with academic and workplace partners, during the period of learning in practice”
RPS
From 2025 under reforms to the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists (IETP) all new graduate pharmacists will be independent prescribers but they will need a designated prescribing practitioner.
“The expansion of pharmacist roles and the introduction of prescribing skills into foundation training has led to a significant rise in the number of DPPs required…Although the DPP role may feel new or unfamiliar to some in the profession, it is important to recognise that many pharmacists are already undertaking supervisory aspects (e.g. as a mentor, clinical or peer supervisor) and will possess relevant experience and skills that can be transferred to the DPP role.”
The Pharmaceutical Journal June 2025
“From 2025 onwards, pharmacy graduates will leave university with prescribing skills, so it’s vital there are enough Designated Prescribing Practitioners to supervise their learning in practice.Becoming a DPP is often the next step as a prescribing pharmacist, having gained the skills and experience in being a prescribing pharmacist yourself. Being a DPP is a rewarding role, enabling you to share your expertise with those starting their prescribing journey and allowing you to give back to the pharmacy profession, and contribute to future workforce development.”
Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2025
The conference will provide delegates with an update on implementing the revised RPS Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners which is currently undergoing review and consultation :
“The competencies in this framework will help prescribers to be effective Designated Prescribing Practitioners who are able to optimise the period of learning in practice for Non-Medical Prescribers in training, working with academic partners, to ensure the quality and safety of future non-medical prescribers.”
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
“Any pharmacist that has the ability to develop themselves to become a designated prescribing practitioner (DPP) should look into this as a matter of urgency. It is only through voluntary self-development that pharmacists destined to become leaders within our profession are able to emerge and thrive, and this is vital for pharmacy to sustain on this exciting evolution of practice.”
Danny Bartlett lead pharmacist at Horsham Central PCN, senior lecturer at the University of Brighton and English pharmacy board member at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Through national updates, expert sessions, and practical case studies, the conference will support you to develop or expand your role as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner, and support the development of effective pharmacist prescribing across your service. The conference will also discuss how becoming a DPP can enhance your role, and the benefits of pharmacist assessors in expanding and supporting pharmacist prescribing in organisations.
This conference will enable you to:
Network with colleagues who are working to improve training quality and safety of pharmacist prescribers
Learn from outstanding practice in delivering the role in practice
Reflect on national developments and learning including practical implications of the revision of the RPS Competence Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners
Discuss the current shortage of pharmacist DPPs in light of the IETP reforms which come into place in 2025/6
Understand how the DPP Framework can support role development and practice
Understand the required competencies to take on this role
Reflect on how becoming a DPP can enhance your own role as a pharmacist prescriber and support the expansion of non-medical prescribing in your service
Develop your skills as a DPP
Understand how you can optimise the period of learning practice
Identify key strategies for coordinating support and ensuring effective governance of the DPP role
Understand how you can improve the learning environment
Self-assess and reflect on your own practice
Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5hrs training for CPD, subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes
