The Independent Prescribing in Community Pharmacy Pathfinder evaluation, was published on 12 January 2026. This evaluation reports on pilot sites testing how pharmacist independent prescribing can be delivered in community pharmacies.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA said:
“We welcome the publication of the evaluation of the independent prescribing (IP) pathfinder programme.
Pathfinder sites have delivered more than 33,000 consultations to date, with nearly all patients completing their episode of care within the pharmacy and without the need for referral elsewhere. This is strong evidence of the role community pharmacy can play in easing NHS pressures and underscores the sector’s continued value and importance.
Changes to pharmacy supervision and the rollout of IP present a significant opportunity to increase clinical capacity in primary care through community pharmacy, improving both patient access and outcomes.
We strongly support plans to increase the role of community pharmacy prescribers, including in the delivery of urgent care, the diagnosis and management of long-term conditions and the prevention of ill health. A key starting point should be to ensure prescribers can use their full skillset within the Pharmacy First service.
The evaluation rightly recognises the need for integrated technology, access to clinical records and diagnostics, standardised governance frameworks and sustainable funding. These are essential to delivering consistent standards of care nationwide and maintaining the confidence of patients and other healthcare professionals. This standardisation across the country will be critical to the successful transition to a prescribing-enabled workforce.
The introduction of prescribing offers a generational opportunity but must be underpinned by appropriate and sustainable investment. Government investment in the sector is key to creating new pathways to care for patients, freeing up capacity for more complex care in other areas of primary care, and in enabling patients to obtain care closer to home.
The CCA looks forward to working with the Government, the NHS and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth roll-out of a community independent prescribing service.”