About This Course
This is a blended learning level 7 short course in Prescribing for Pharmacists NHS-4259
The module will start on September 18, 2025, in Semester 1 of the 2025-2026 academic year. 
This challenging, but rewarding module is underpinned by the , which will prepare you to become a competent and confident independent prescriber.
This prescribing module is designed specifically to meet the learning needs of pharmacists, with emphasis on clinical skills such as history-taking, examination and diagnostic reasoning.
Aspects of the teaching will be delivered in conjunction with the Independent Prescribing course. This multi-professional nature of the module provides a valuable opportunity for experienced professionals to share their knowledge and skills and develop different perspectives on prescribing practice. Interprofessional learning will encourage a collaborative team-orientated approach to learning and working. Based on this, you will be expected to take an active role in interprofessional learning during the programme by sharing your expertise and professional perspective. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
The course will ensure that you are familiar with and can apply the general principles of prescribing practice which you must utilise within your own area of clinical expertise. Topics will be delivered in a generic style and the speakers will refer to their own clinical experience to provide clinical examples, however the principles discussed can be applied to all areas of practice. The module will allow you to expand on your existing knowledge and apply these to the principles of prescribing. This will provide a strong foundation for your development as a newly qualified independent/supplementary prescriber. 
Who is this course for?
This prescribing module is specifically aimed at registered pharmacists who wish to become independent prescribers and have identified how becoming an independent prescriber will benefit patient care.
Why study this course?
In this challenging, but rewarding module, you will gain the clinical skills required to support your prescribing practice. It will enable the understanding of the clinical, legal and ethical responsibilities of a prescribing pharmacist. The knowledge and skills learned in this module will empower you to adopt a person-centred approach to prescribing within your identified scope of practice.  
Through learning with, and from, other healthcare professionals such nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and paramedics, you will be empowered to facilitate a multiprofessional approach to prescribing practice to improve patient care. 
How long does this course take to complete?
The course is delivered on a Thursday on our Bangor campus between September 2025 - March 2026:
Sessions will be delivered initially on a weekly basis, and then fortnightly.
- · September 18th, 25th
- · October 2nd, 9th (remote), 16th
- · November 6th, 20th, 27th
- · December 11th
- · January 16th
- · February 12th
- · March 5th
The final assignment will be submitted in April, 2026.
Students are also required to complete a minimum of 90 hours in clinical practice under the supervision of a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
Tutor
Ffion Simcox
Ffion is the lead for the prescribing courses at È«Ãñ²ÊƱ, as well as the lead for the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Ffion is also the deputy chair of the Welsh Advanced Practice Educators’ Network (WAPEN). &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Ffion qualified as a registered nurse in 1996 and as an independent prescriber in 2011. She completed her MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice in 2012 and worked as an ACP in acute medicine for 6 years prior to joining the university.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
In this challenging, but rewarding module, you will gain the clinical skills required to support your prescribing practice. It will enable the understanding of the clinical, legal and ethical responsibilities of a prescribing pharmacist. The knowledge and skills learned in this module will empower you to adopt a person-centred approach to prescribing within your identified scope of practice.  
Through learning with, and from, other healthcare professionals such nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and paramedics, you will be empowered to facilitate a multiprofessional approach to prescribing practice to improve patient care. 
This module is organised into learning units that will cover the following topic areas: 
- consultation skills 
- examination skills
- managing risk 
- diagnostic reasoning
- °ù±ð³¦´Ç°ù»å-°ì±ð±ð±è¾±²Ô²µâ€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- antimicrobial stewardship and the public health role of the prescriber 
- »å±ð±è°ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±²ú¾±²Ô²µâ€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- person-centred care and shared decision making 
- evidence-based prescribing 
- legal frameworks and accountability 
- ethical issues 
- prescribing governance 
What will attendees get out of the course?
On this module, you will be taught by experienced independent and medical prescribers from different professional backgrounds. Teaching is supported by expert clinicians to ensure that the content is relevant and applicable to clinical practice.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to appreciate, understand and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to become a safe and effective independent prescriber, with an emphasis on individualised care, as outlined in the . &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to register their independent/supplementary prescribing status with the General Pharmaceutical Council. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Course Cost
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) provide funding for this course for applicants working in Wales.
If you work for BCUHB, please contact the Education and Training Lead Pharmacist to apply for HEIW funding.
If you do not work for BCUHB, please contact HEIW.Pharmacy@wales.nhs.uk to apply for funding.
You should apply for funding and study leave in parallel with your university application.
Entry Requirements
All applicants must:
- be registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- be in good standing with the GPhC/PSNI and have no restrictions on their practice</