Pharmacy Spotlight

Newly qualified, early career pharmacist prescribers in their first year of post-registration practice, can register to join the Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway (PEPP) pilot from 1 September 2026.

To find out more visit the CPPE website.

What is the Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway pilot

 NHS England is working collaboratively with the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) and the Royal College of Pharmacy to develop a new education and training pathway for newly qualified, early career pharmacist prescribers, registering from summer 2026. The Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway aims to create consistent and equitable training and support for newly qualified, early career pharmacist prescribers across all sectors in patient-facing roles.

What is involved

Delivered by CPPE, the Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway offers access to NHS England funded learning modules, workshops and education support for up to 1,200 learners across all sectors. This includes 900 places for learners with employer-provided educational supervision and up to 300 CPPE-supported places for learners without access to an educational supervisor in their workplace. Learners enrolling on the pathway will also gain access to an e-portfolio mapped to the Royal College of Pharmacy Enhanced Curriculum.

Learners, supervisors and employers involved in the pilot will also be invited to help shape future pathways. We have commissioned The University of Manchester Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies to undertake an evaluation of the pilot pathway, beginning in September 2026. The evaluation will include capturing feedback from those involved.

 How to apply

 Applications to the Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway pilot open on 1 September 2026. To find out more visit the CPPE website.

There will be another opportunity to apply in January 2027.

Find out more and keep in touch

·       Visit the Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway website [hee.nhs.uk]

·       To find out more visit the CPPE website or email [email protected]

·       Email the WT&E National Pharmacy team: [email protected]

·       Join the NHS Futures forum: https://future.nhs.uk/PharmacyWorkforceDevelopment [future.nhs.uk] 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Early Career Pharmacist (ECP) supervisor resource library, created to support supervisors of newly qualified and early career pharmacists.

This curated collection offers flexible, high-quality resources, including:

· Short courses,

· Training materials,

· Practical tools aligned with current education and training standards.

Please note that this library does not include content related to designated prescribing practitioner (DPP) supervision or clinical supervision assurance.

Explore the library now via our ECP Supervisor Resource Library Futures page and share it with colleagues. You will need to create a free account to access the NHS Futures Platform, but you do not need an NHS email to do this.

The Pharmacy technician development programme is a new funded course in 2025-26. This flexible programme brings together existing CPPE resources under one umbrella, supported by one-to-one education supervision. Pharmacy technicians from all sectors can join this pathway.

How it works:

·       Start with a Learning Needs Review,

·       Access tailored face-to-face and online workshops based on your needs,

·       Track progress through an online learning record.

Learn more about the programme and how to apply on the CPPE pharmacy technician development programme webpages.

If you are a Foundation Trainee Pharmacist who began in the 2025 Summer start window, you will be part way through your training programme now and, hopefully, you have a good understanding of what you need to do including how the NHS England Assessment Strategy and e-portfolio work.

If you began in the 2025 Autumn start window, you will just be starting to get to grips with these. Make sure you have a look at the resources on our website, and on the NHS England Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Programme Learning Hub Catalogue. You will need to create a free account to access the Learning Hub, but you do not need an NHS email to do this.

All Foundation Trainee Pharmacists must use the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Programme e-portfolio. If you need help you can join our drop-in support sessions or access step-by-step guides. Details are available on the Learning Hub.

If you need support during training, the trainee support guide on our website explains available support and NHS England’s role in providing it.

Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) ICB are working in collaboration with LSC Primary Care Training Hub to provide the 2026 “Teach & Treat” programme.
 
We are inviting Expressions of Interest from Community Pharmacists in LSC who would like to undertake their Independent Prescribing (IP) qualification over the next few months. An opportunity is available to do this with the support of the Teach and Treat programme.
 
The programme involves support with the following:
  • Finding a DPP
  • IP applications
  • Identifying an IP course provider
  • Free access to “Lunch and Learn” training sessions for NMPs and trainees
  • A community of practice
IP course fees continue to be funded by NHSE Workforce, Training and Education.
 
Please complete this form to express your interest in being part of this programme.
  • Incentive scheme to become a DPP for a community pharmacist undergoing Non Medical Prescribing training as part of the LSC Teach & Treat 2026 programme

A new NHS-endorsed, free online directory has been launched to support aspiring non-medical prescribers (NMPs) in finding Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs) across Lancashire and South Cumbria. The DPP Support website DPP Support | NHS-Endorsed Free Directory | Find DPP Supervisors UK provides a simple way to connect learners with experienced supervisors, helping to strengthen prescribing capacity and workforce development.

£150 is offered as an incentive for DPPs to sign up on the DPP Support website and take on a “Teach & Treat” trainee community pharmacist NMP via the website!

Qualified NMPs are also well placed to take on the DPP role. DPPs can agree a private payment arrangement with trainees for providing supervision. The current market rate for DPP support is approximately £1,500 per trainee, offering an opportunity to be recognised for the time and expertise involved in supporting future prescribers.

Acting as a DPP is also a valuable way to share your experience, clinical skills and knowledge while contributing to the development of the next generation of prescribers. The role aligns closely with the leadership and education pillars of Advanced Practice, making it both professionally rewarding and an excellent way to maintain and develop your own clinical knowledge and supervisory skills.

To act as a DPP, practitioners need agreement from within their clinical environment, and employer if provision will be in working time, and the capacity to support a trainee for 90 hours of supervised practice (some of this can be undertaken with other healthcare professionals). Free training is available to support prescribers in becoming a DPP. Organisations can also register on the DPP support website.

If you are a DPP please consider registering on the DPP Support website to increase your visibility and help match with prospective trainee NMPs.

The incentive is available while funds last and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to DPPs who register on DPP Support and take on a trainee.

If you are interested in becoming a DPP, or for further information, please contact Janice Davies, LSC ICB Teach & Treat 2026 Programme Lead [email protected]

 
The advice covers key areas including: GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers, Scope of prescribing practice, Support and mentorship, Prescribing decisions, Private prescribing, Indemnity, Revalidation and What employers and managers should do to support newly qualified prescribers 

PROGRAMMES

Pharmacy Training

On this page you will find Pharmacy training, webinars, events, updates and links to resources.  

Training for Pharmacy Professionals

CPPE

Visit here to find some of the latest Pharmacist opportunities from the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education.

CPPE are suggesting to learners to utilise the e-learning resources below

Sign up to the CPPE waiting list for booking alerts.

You can find information about it on the CPPE website. Its aim is to help pharmacists prepare an application and prepare for prescribing training by helping them to understand what it means to be a prescriber, considerations when choosing a course, how they can demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills and plan for the study and supervised practice requirements of the course. 

Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First is here – build your pharmacy future with fully funded, flexible training tailored to your skills, experience and individual learning requirements.  Learn new skills, support peer development and expand your clinical knowledge.

Courses include:

  • Advancing your role for Community Pharmacy Technicians 
  • Educational Supervisor Training for Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.

Find out more and apply now 

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Meet Our Team

Rizvan Ahmed

Pharmacy Practice Education Facilitator

[email protected]