Pharmacist Consultants, Prescribers, PhwSI & Advanced Practitioners

This section describes the role of Consultant Pharmacists; Pharmacist Prescribers; Pharmacists with a Special Interest (PhwSI); and Advanced Practitioners.

Credentialling advanced level practice (June 2012)

Educationalists have gathered feedback from participants in a credentialling process for advanced level pharmacists assessed by the UKCPA Critical Care Group.  Concludes that a credentialling or professional recognition process is feasible and useful for clinical pharmacists, providing a good measure of competent performance.  Practitioners valued the experience in terms of professional and personal perspectives. For further information click on Journal website

Consultant Pharmacists

In 2003, the Consultant Pharmacist role was identified in ‘A Vision for Pharmacy in the New NHS’. This role offers an opportunity for Pharmacists to make a greater difference to patient care and builds on the success of pharmacists in developing clinical and other specialist roles. The Department of Health recommends that the title Consultant Pharmacist should apply to those Pharmacists appointed to approved posts and who meet the appropriate level of competence

Pharmacists with a Special Interest (PhwSI)

A PhwSI has been defined, by the Department of Health, as a Pharmacist who supplements their core generalist role by delivering an additional, high-quality service to meet the needs of patients. Working principally in the community, they deliver a clinical service beyond the scope of their core professional role or may undertake advanced interventions not normally undertaken by their peers. They will have demonstrated appropriate skills and competencies to deliver those services without direct supervision.

Pharmacist Prescribers

Registered Pharmacists can train to become Independent Prescribers.