A qualitative study of UK pharmacy pre-registration graduates' views and reflections on pharmacist prescribing

Abstract

Background Pre-registration pharmacy graduates are a key group in relation to developing and implementing innovations in practice. Objective To explore the views and reflections on pharmacist prescribing of UK pre-registration pharmacy graduates. Method Semi-structured telephone interviews with a sample (n = 12) of pre-registration pharmacy graduates. Key findings Most reported a desire to train as prescribers, largely for reasons of professional development, but acknowledged the need first to develop as pharmacists. They perceived the lack of organisational strategy, pharmacist prescribers' self-confidence and additional workload to be barriers and were aware of the value of interprofessional relationships as potential facilitators to pharmacist prescribing. Conclusion While participants were supportive of pharmacist prescribing, they highlighted the need first to gain experience as pharmacists and were acutely aware of barriers to prescribing implementation.