The prescribing paramedic: a pharmacology series

Since April 2018, paramedics have been able to train as independent prescribers. Independent prescribing is prescribing by a paramedic who is responsible and accountable for the assessment of people who use their services, who have an undiagnosed or diagnosed condition and for whom decisions about the clinical management are needed. Independent prescribers are able to prescribe on their own initiative any medicine within their scope of practice and in line with legislation.

Supplementary prescribing is a voluntary partnership between a doctor and supplementary prescriber to prescribe within an agreed clinical management plan (CMP) that is specific to the service user. Once qualified, a supplementary prescriber may prescribe any medicine within their clinical competence within the limits of the CMP (Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), 2016; Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), 2019).

This article introduces the forthcoming series on pharmacology aimed at the aspiring paramedic prescriber. The series will also be of interest to paramedics and student paramedics.