Programme to enhance pharmacists' prescribing skills in Wales extended for three more years
30/4/2025
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) are proud to announce a three-year extension of their successful learning programme tailored to support pharmacists in Wales to deliver the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS) with confidence.
Originally launched in 2024, the programme is designed to equip pharmacists with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide excellent patient care. The programme offers practical, clinically focused workshops across Wales. Designed by experienced pharmacist prescribers and GPs, sessions focus on conditions commonly seen in community pharmacy and include case studies, group activities and expert Q&As.
The extension means the programme will continue to run until at least 2028, helping to embed high-quality prescribing services across Wales.
Margaret Allan, Pharmacy Dean at HEIW, said:
“We are pleased to be able to build on our collaboration with RPS by continuing the HEIW/ RPS Independent Prescriber Series aimed at Pharmacists accredited to provide the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS) within Wales.”
“Feedback from the programme in 2024/25 has been overwhelmingly positive and many participants have reported an increase in knowledge, skills and confidence when supporting patients after attendance at an event.”
“We are looking forward to offering further events to support PIPS with plans to increase the number of places available and offer more local events to improve equity of access to PIPS provision across Wales.”
Elen Jones, RPS Director for England and Wales, said:
“We are thrilled to continue and build upon this collaboration with HEIW as we embark on a new 3-year journey to further empower pharmacists across Wales to deliver high-quality prescribing services to our communities. This extended partnership builds on the success of last year’s work and reflects the ongoing commitment to advancing the role of prescribing pharmacists.”
“I am particularly pleased to recognise the invaluable contribution of prescribing pharmacists once again in Wales, whose expertise and feedback have been instrumental in shaping the content of this programme. With a continued focus on common conditions and minor ailments, this programme addresses the daily challenges faced by pharmacists in practice. By providing pharmacists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to treat specific conditions as prescribers, we are not only enhancing patient care but also further strengthening the role of pharmacists as vital, trusted members of the healthcare team.”