Updated competencies in prescribing

AN updated set of key competencies in prescribing has been published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).

The Competency Framework for all prescribers sets out 10 competencies focused on the consultation process and prescribing governance with activities and outcomes clinicians should be able to demonstrate.

The RPS says the framework can be used by any healthcare prescriber to underpin professional responsibility for prescribing and also by regulators, education providers and professional organisations to inform guidance and advice. It will also help patients and carers identify good prescribing practice.

A single prescribing competency framework was published in 2012 by the National Prescribing Centre/National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to support effective prescribing. In 2015, the RPS started the process of updating the framework with the backing of NICE and in collaboration with UK-wide organisations including the BDA and the Royal College of Physicians.

RPS President Ash Soni said: "Both the number of medicines prescribed and the complexity of medicine regimes are increasing. The challenges associated with prescribing the right medicines and supporting patients to use them effectively should not be underestimated.

"There's lots of evidence to show that much needs to be done to improve the way we prescribe and support patients in effective medicines use. This user-friendly guide will be invaluable and I'm delighted the RPS has co-ordinated the update."

Russ Ladwa, Chair of the BDA's Health and Science Committee said: "This new guide provides a useful resource for all prescribers, and we've welcomed the opportunity to support its development. Armed with this framework dentists can ensure patients can get the best use from the right medicines, while rising to the challenge of antimicrobial stewardship."