A cross sectional survey of the views of newly registered pharmacists in Great Britain on their potential prescribing role: a cautious approach

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Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Pharmacists, along with certain other health professionals, may train and practice as supplementary or independent prescribers. The implementation and sustainability of pharmacist prescribing services throughout Britain will require a sizeable workforce. However, a survey of GB pharmacists highlighted that only a minority has taken any action to investigate prescribing training. Newly registered pharmacists may be keen to explore extended clinical roles and their engagement is likely to be key to the future success of this initiative.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Newly registered pharmacists are cautious in their approach to taking on prescribing training and roles. While almost all expressed interest in prescribing training, they acknowledged training needs in clinical examination, patient monitoring and medico‐legal aspects of prescribing. Longitudinal research on a cohort of newly registered pharmacist prescribers is warranted, aiming to identify later prescribing training actions and subsequent impact on patient care.AIM To investigate newly registered pharmacists' awareness of pharmacist prescribing and views on potential future roles as prescribers.METHODS A mailed questionnaire was sent to all 1658 pharmacists joining the Pharmacist Register in 2009.RESULTS The response rate was 25.2% (n= 418). While most (86.4%) expressed interest in prescribing training, they acknowledged training needs in clinical examination, patient monitoring and medico‐legal aspects of prescribing. Two thirds of respondents (66.3%) thought the current requirement of being registered as a pharmacist for 2 years prior to commencing prescribing training was appropriate.CONCLUSION Newly registered pharmacists are cautious in their approach to taking on prescribing training and roles.

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