New initiatives will support newly qualified pharmacists, develop confident prescribers and help community pharmacists prepare for expanding clinical roles.
The Royal College of Pharmacy has announced a renewed focus on education, credentialing and professional development for pharmacists at every career stage and across all areas of practice.
Its new programme of support reflects the continued expansion of pharmacists’ roles within health services, including increased prescribing responsibilities and developments in medicines and technology.
The College said ongoing education and professional development would be essential to strengthening clinical capability, supporting pharmacists through change and maintaining patient safety.
Support for newly qualified pharmacists
The College launched its new From Qualified to Confident support hub on 24 July 2026.
Available to Royal College members, the hub combines cross-sector learning and professional support to help newly qualified pharmacists build their confidence, capability and professional judgement.
It has been developed with pharmacy experts and leaders from across Great Britain and is designed to complement training provided by employers and the NHS in Scotland, England and Wales.
The hub will support pharmacists working in community pharmacy, primary care, secondary care and other settings. It will combine access to support when pharmacists need it with opportunities for reflection and structured learning.
The College said this would help newly qualified pharmacists recognise the responsibility attached to prescribing decisions and continue developing safe and effective practice after registration.
Developing confident prescribers
A new Enhanced Curriculum and Credentialing Pathway will launch in September 2026.
The national pathway is intended to support newly qualified pharmacist prescribers as they progress from registration towards becoming confident and capable practitioners.
It recognises that registration is the beginning of a pharmacist’s professional development and that safe, confident prescribing is built through practical experience, supervision, feedback and reflection.
The pathway will provide a structure through which pharmacists can develop their clinical skills, professional judgement and confidence in real-world practice.
It will also support pharmacists to become well-rounded professionals who can lead improvements, educate colleagues and use evidence to improve patient care.
Designed for patient-facing practice, the pathway can be used across community pharmacy, primary care, secondary care and other healthcare settings.
New e-portfolio and professional recognition
A new e-portfolio will allow pharmacists to record evidence of their learning, professional feedback and practical experience.
Pharmacists who demonstrate that they have reached the enhanced standard will be able to receive formal credentialing from the Royal College.
The College said this would provide pharmacists with professional recognition, give employers and other healthcare professionals greater assurance and strengthen patient confidence in the care they receive.
The enhanced curriculum and credentialing pathway are separate from the support package offered to College members. RCPharm membership will not be required to access the curriculum or credentialing pathway.
The pathway has been shaped by pharmacists, employers, educators, patients and healthcare organisations from across all four UK nations.
Support for community pharmacists in Scotland
The College has also developed clinical and practical learning to help community pharmacists prepare for the expanding role of pharmacy services across Great Britain.
Resources available through RCPharm Learn will support pharmacists delivering Pharmacy First services in Scotland and England, as well as the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service in Wales.
The learning covers key clinical conditions and practical skills including consultations, clinical assessments and remote consultations.
Resources will be available in different formats to accommodate a range of learning preferences.
For community pharmacists in Scotland, the additional support comes as pharmacy teams continue to take on wider clinical responsibilities and provide patients with accessible care within their local communities.
Supporting modern pharmacy careers
Louise Goldring, Director of Education at the Royal College of Pharmacy, said pharmacists would increasingly have careers spanning different sectors and areas of practice.
She said the College was developing learning, support and professional assurance that reflected the realities of modern pharmacy careers.
“We will continue to introduce education and professional support that helps pharmacists develop, thrive and deliver excellence for patients,” she added.
Royal College President Tase Oputu said the initiatives represented an important step towards providing lifelong learning that prepares and supports pharmacists to succeed in different roles.
The College said it would continue developing its education offer in response to changes within pharmacy practice and feedback from pharmacists.
