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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Pharmacist Independent Prescribing
Reference	PLM016	Version	2
Created	March 2024	SCQF Level	SCQF 11
Approved	January 2023	SCQF Points	30
Amended	April 2024	ECTS Points	15

Aims of Module
To prepare pharmacists to meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council for annotation to the register as independent prescriber.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1	Demonstrate, through systematic application, professional ability in the development and maintenance of effective interpersonal communication relevant to prescribing, including an understanding of the influences on and psychology of prescribing.
2	Show evidence of professional ability in the systematic and judicious application of knowledge and understanding pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology and evidence based therapeutics for specified disorders to prescribe safely and effectively for patients taking account of their wishes and values.
3	Interpret and critically appraise a wide variety of sources of information, including medical history, physical examination, physiological monitoring to aid drug selection and monitoring for individual patients.
4	Reflect and critically evaluate on their role as a pharmacist prescriber focussing on the legal, ethical, governance and professional frameworks that underpin pharmacist prescribing.
5	Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of the skills, concepts and knowledge of evidence based practice in a professional/vocational context at an individual, local and national level.

Indicative Module Content
Therapeutics, aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management options; holistic and evidence based practice. Pharmaceutical care, use of patient data, critical appraisal skills, clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies. Clinical skills, physical examination skills, communication skills, consultation models, building and maintaining relationships, team working, shared decision making, record keeping and documentation. Public health, clinical governance, medication errors, ethics, pharmacovigilance. Inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of medicines. Own limitations, attitudes and biases influencing prescribing practice. Patient demand versus patient need, cultural and ethical needs, equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights, external influences at individual, local and national level. Legal, ethical and professional frameworks for prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. Professional responsibility, writing prescriptions. Reflective practice. Factors influencing prescribing decisions including patient characteristics and drug factors (adverse drug reactions, drug interactions). Recognising and responding to common signs and symptoms indicative of clinical problems.

Indicative Module Content

Therapeutics, aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management options; holistic and evidence based practice. Pharmaceutical care, use of patient data, critical appraisal skills, clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies. Clinical skills, physical examination skills, communication skills, consultation models, building and maintaining relationships, team working, shared decision making, record keeping and documentation. Public health, clinical governance, medication errors, ethics, pharmacovigilance. Inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of medicines. Own limitations, attitudes and biases influencing prescribing practice. Patient demand versus patient need, cultural and ethical needs, equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights, external influences at individual, local and national level. Legal, ethical and professional frameworks for prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. Professional responsibility, writing prescriptions. Reflective practice. Factors influencing prescribing decisions including patient characteristics and drug factors (adverse drug reactions, drug interactions). Recognising and responding to common signs and symptoms indicative of clinical problems.

Module Delivery
Online delivery supported by self-directed learning from web based learning materials including self-assessment questions with feedback, participation in synchronous and asynchronous webinars and discussion fora. Practical elements of this module will be delivered during 5 days of online synchronous teaching and further developed through the period of learning in practice. This module is delivered as part of the MSc Advanced Pharmacy Practice and as a stand-alone module.

Module Delivery

Online delivery supported by self-directed learning from web based learning materials including self-assessment questions with feedback, participation in synchronous and asynchronous webinars and discussion fora. Practical elements of this module will be delivered during 5 days of online synchronous teaching and further developed through the period of learning in practice. This module is delivered as part of the MSc Advanced Pharmacy Practice and as a stand-alone module.

Indicative Student Workload	Full Time	Part Time
Contact Hours	N/A	35
Non-Contact Hours	N/A	175
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours	N/A	90
TOTAL	N/A	300
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body		90

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type:	Practical Exam	Weighting:	0%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 3, 4
Description:	Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
Component 2
Type:	Coursework	Weighting:	100%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description:	Period of Learning in Practice portfolio assessed on a A-F basis.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
To pass this module the student must achieve a module grade of Grade D or better.
Module Grade	Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A	When C1 = pass and C2 = A
B	When C1 = pass and C2 = B
C	When C1 = pass and C2 = C
D	When C1 = pass and C2 = D
E	When C1 = pass/fail and C2 = E
F	When C1 = pass/fail and C2 = F
NS	Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module	Course entry requirements plus specific General Pharmaceutical Council-mandated Pharmacist Independent Prescribing course entry requirements.
Corequisites for module	None.
Precluded Modules	None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1	JOINT FORMULARY COMMITTEE, 2024.British National Formulary. 87th edition. London: BMJ Publishing Group and Pharmaceutical Press
2	WILKINSON, I.B., 2024. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 11th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3	INNES, J., DOVER, A. and FAIRHURST, K, 2023. Macleod's Clinical Examination. 15th edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingston.
4	PENMAN, I. et al., 2022. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th edition. London: Churchill Livingston.

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

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