A new era for pharmacy in Wales as first pharmacists qualify as Independent Prescribers from day one

Published 16/03/2026

A new era for pharmacy in Wales is beginning as the first cohort of newly qualified pharmacists enter the workforce as Independent Prescribers.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is marking this important milestone as newly qualified pharmacists enter the professional register with independent prescribing (IP) status.  This achievement follows several years of collaborative work led by HEIW with Universities, employers and national partners to modernise pharmacy education and training across Wales.

The changes have transformed both the undergraduate Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree and the Foundation Training Year, ensuring pharmacists develop prescribing skills throughout their training and are prepared to register as independent prescribers. The reforms align with education standards introduced by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which require future pharmacists to be trained with prescribing capability.

By qualifying with prescribing authority, these newly registered pharmacists will be able to take on expanded clinical responsibilities from the start of their careers. This means patients will increasingly be able to receive assessment, advice and treatment directly from pharmacists in a range of healthcare settings, including community pharmacies and primary care teams.

The redesigned training pathway equips pharmacists with the advanced clinical skills needed in today’s health system. During the Foundation Training Year, which is delivered and quality assured by HEIW, trainees consolidate their knowledge and practical experience to ensure they are confident and capable in assessing patients, making clinical decisions and prescribing safely.

This first cohort of pharmacists entering the workforce with independent prescribing status represents an important step in building a modern pharmacy workforce for Wales – one that can help improve access to care, support multidisciplinary teams and enable more services to be delivered closer to home.

Laura Doyle, Associate Pharmacy Dean, HEIW, said: “This is a defining moment for pharmacy in Wales. Over several years we have worked closely with universities and partners to redesign pharmacy education so that graduates are fully prepared for modern clinical practice.

Pharmacists entering the register with independent prescribing capability will improve access to care, enhance patient safety and strengthen healthcare services across communities in Wales from day one.”

Dr Mathew Ivory, Lecturer and MPharm Programme Director, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, added: “Working with HEIW to redesign the MPharm degree programme and Foundation Training Year has transformed our students' learning experience. Our graduates now develop prescribing capability throughout their training and enter the profession ready to make an immediate impact.”

Rhys Thomas, current HEIW Foundation Trainee Pharmacist, commented: “Being able to prescribe from the start of my career means I can develop my clinical knowledge and do all that I can to help my patients. It’s an exciting time to be joining the profession in Wales, and I look forward to being a helpful member of the wider healthcare team for many years to come.”

HEIW will continue working with universities, employers and national partners to support these pharmacists as they begin their careers and to ensure patients across Wales benefit from their enhanced clinical skills.