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Supervision for pharmacist independent prescriber training
The supervision of healthcare professionals completing independent prescribing training is performed by a Designated Prescribing Practitioner.
What is a Designated Prescribing Practitioner?
A Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) is a healthcare professional in Great Britain or Northern Ireland with legal independent prescribing rights who supervises a health care professional during their independent prescribing (IP) course and provides ‘sign-off’ on their competency to prescribe.
You do not have to be a pharmacist to supervise an IP learner. The role of DPP can be performed by any independent prescriber including doctors (Designated Medical Practitioners or DMPs), nurses and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).
The DPP must be suitably experienced and qualified to carry out this supervisory role and have demonstrated Continuous Professional Development (CPD) or revalidation relevant to their role. The personal characteristics, professional skills, knowledge and training required to be a DPP are described in the RPS Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners.
Please note, these requirements may change in preparation for the reforms to the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists due to come into place in 2025/2026.
Who needs a Designated Prescribing Practitioner?
Anyone considering becoming an Independent Prescriber will be expected to have suitable supervision arrangements in place, including an identified DPP, prior to applying for an IP course.
When the reforms to the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists come into place in 2025/2026, trainee pharmacists will need to have a DPP, as well as a Designated Supervisor (DS), during their foundation training year to complete their training. The DS and DPP can be the same person if the person in question has the right qualifications to do so.
The following sections provides information for:
- Pharmacists interested in becoming a prescriber
- How and why to apply
- How to find a DPP
- Independent Prescribers interested in becoming a DPP
- The role of the DPP
- Why become a DPP
- How it works
- Experience from DPPs
- Prescribers from professions other than pharmacy considering supporting a pharmacist IP learner
- Employers and system leaders