Expanding our contribution and shaping the future

Non-medical prescribing has been permitted in the UK since 1992. The largest group of prescribers are doctors who, along with dentists, are able to prescribe on registration. Over the years, they have been joined by independent and supplementary prescribers from a variety of health professions, who are permitted to prescribe within their scope of practice.

Extending prescribing responsibilities to other professional groups is likely to continue wherever there are clear patient benefits (Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 2016). Since 1994, there have been considerable additions to prescribing health professionals in the UK. These include: nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropodists and optometrists. After a period of specific training, these professionals are often referred to as non-medical prescribers (NMPs). NMPs are health professionals who are legally allowed to prescribe medicines, dressings and appliances after achieving an advanced qualification. Currently in the UK, NMPs must all be registrants of their professional regulatory bodies.