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Groundbreaking new consultation aims to extend prescribing powers for pharmacists and nurses

  • Published date:
    16 April 2002

Health Minister Lord Hunt today outlined radical proposals to allow patients quicker access to medicines by extending the prescribing powers of pharmacists and nurses.

Following discussions with the medical, pharmacy and nursing professions, a consultation paper on 'supplementary' prescribing by pharmacists and nurses was published today.

The groundbreaking development could see pharmacists writing prescriptions for medicines, such as inhalers and hormone replacement therapy, for the first time. It will mean that, after diagnosis, patients may no longer need to re-visit their doctors for prescriptions. Instead, patients would be able to get medicines prescribed by a pharmacist or nurse, with agreement from a doctor. Pharmacists are already helping patients in new ways, by providing emergency contraception and working in clinical teams in hospitals. These proposals build on this successful work.

Lord Hunt said:

"Our proposals will enable pharmacists and nurses, working in partnership with doctors, to help more patients and treat more conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis.

"Millions of people suffer from these conditions across England. Extending prescribing responsibilities to pharmacists and nurses in GP surgeries, hospitals and the community will make getting the right medicine easier and more convenient than ever before.

"Pharmacists are an untapped resource for the NHS. There are around 20,000 pharmacists practising in the community and in hospitals in England and by harnessing their skills we can deliver rapid access to medicines and improved patient care."

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Jim Smith said:

"The proposals launched today will improve patients' access to the medicines they need and make the best use of pharmacists' skills. Pharmacists are a highly skilled and extensively trained profession. After a four year University course, they undertake a year's pre-registration training all of which includes intensive training in the actions, uses and side effects of medicines. For the first time, pharmacists will be able to make use of this training to prescribe for NHS patients.

"I am delighted that we are now consulting on this development which is a key part of our 'Pharmacy in the Future' programme."

Sarah Mullally, Chief Nursing Officer for England, added:

"These proposals represent a new way of enabling patients to get the medicines they need from their health care team. Currently, a specialist asthma nurse treating a child with asthma can check their lung function and advise on ways to reduce attacks, but cannot write a prescription for an inhaler.

"Supplementary prescribing will change this and ensure that where, for example, it is a specialist nurse who carries out regular reviews of a patient's condition, the nurse can also prescribe medicines for that condition for the patient."

The proposals involve a strong working partnership between the doctor and the 'supplementary' prescriber (nurse or pharmacist), underpinned by a clinical management plan. The plan, drawn up by doctor with the patient's agreement, set limits and conditions for nurse and pharmacist prescribing. It will detail:

  • the range of medicines that may be prescribed to the named patient by the pharmacist or nurse.
  • the circumstances under which the pharmacist and nurse can vary the dosage, frequency and formulation of the medicines.
  • when to refer back to the doctor.

The public consultation on supplementary prescribing closes in July. It is envisaged that nurses will take up prescribing training by the end of this year, with pharmacists starting early in 2003. We hope to have nurses undertaking supplementary prescribing by early 2003.

Notes to editor

  1. The proposals for prescribing stem from the recommendations of the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines, chaired by Dr June Crown CBE, which reported in 1999.
  2. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 enabled the Government to introduce different types of prescriber and to extend prescribing responsibilities to other health professions, including pharmacists.
  3. Separately, regulations were laid in March that enable independent nurse prescribers following training to prescribe all pharmacy and general sales list medicines prescribable by a GP. They will also be able to prescribe from a list of around 140 Prescription Only Medicines for four broad medical conditions: minor injuries, minor ailments, health promotion and palliative care. These plans were announced by the Secretary of State for Health in a press release on 19 February. The proposals for extending prescribing for chronic conditions are complementary to these developments.
  4. Extending prescribing powers to pharmacists and nurses will be of value to patients with long-term medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or health needs such as HRT or anti-coagulation treatment.
  5. Doctors will have discretion over what medicines they allow the supplementary prescriber to prescribe.
  6. It is envisaged that supplementary prescribers undergo comprehensive prescribing training before undertaking prescribing.
  7. Media enquires only please contact Rebecca Wynn, 020 7210 5329, Erica McAlpine 020 7210 5229 or Richard Forshaw 020 7210 4984 in the Department of Health Press Office.
  • Contact:
    Press officer
  • Address:
    Media Centre, Department of Health
    Richmond House, 79 Whitehall
    London
    SW1A 2NL
  • Phone:
    Media Centre
    020 7210 5221

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