Many more pharmacists are now qualifying as independent prescribers and this development in pharmacy practice is widely seen as a successful venture for pharmacists, predominantly because they are experts in medicines.
By passing the Independent Prescribing qualifications, the name of the pharmacist is annotated on the register of Pharmaceutical Chemists and they are therefore approved to work at these higher levels.
Pharmacists cannot become IP’s until they have had at least two years post qualification practice. Once they pass their IP qualification, pharmacists are legally entitled to write and sign prescriptions.
Pharmacists will inherently recognise the additional risks of exposure to litigation by writing and signing prescriptions – this is a different dimension of practice to that seen in pharmacy historically.
Clearly, pharmacists can be pursued for claims in compensation, additionally however, they will also be judged to a different standard by the regulator as they will be deemed to have a higher competence – that in the area of prescribing.
There is no doubt that pharmacists who practice as independent prescribers are involved in practice which has a higher risk of exposure to litigation.
This extension provides indemnity cover for independent prescribing.
- You can choose £5 or £10 million indemnity cover.