• Home
• Events
• Medicines Management
• Evidence Based Therapeutics
• Associate Programme
• Policy into Practice
• Supporting Prescribers

Competency Frameworks

NOTE: Every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in the NPC website is accurate and up to date at the time of press. Please be aware that information about medicines and therapeutics will change over time, and that information in the materials listed below may not be current after the initial date of publication. Please take note of the publication date and seek further advice if in any doubt about the currency of the information.

Please note: The NPC relocated in August 2009. Some publications contain out of date organisational contact details. New NPC contact details.

These documents give the background to the development of extended prescribing responsibilities for non-medical prescribers, and outline the nine key competencies needed to ensure that all new prescribers carry out this role safely and effectively.

December 2009		Patient Group Directions – A practical guide and framework of competencies for all professionals using patient group directions
January 2007		A competency framework for shared decision-making with patient: achieving concordance for taking medicines
October 2006		Maintaining competency in prescribing: An outline framework to help pharmacist prescribers - second edition (October 2006)
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
July 2004		Maintaining competency in prescribing – an outline framework to help allied health professional supplementary prescribers
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
May 2004		Competency framework for prescribing optometrists
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
July 2003		PCT Responsibilities around prescribing and medicines management: a scoping and support guide This is the reviewed and updated version of: Competencies for pharmacists working in primary care April 2000
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
March 2003		Maintaining competency in prescribing – an outline framework to help pharmacist supplementary prescribers
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
March 2003		Maintaining competency in prescribing – an outline framework to help nurse supplementary prescribers - update
November 2001		Maintaining competency in prescribing – an outline framework to help nurse prescribers
		Please click here to download the outline framework (version for local adaptation).
April 2000		Competencies for pharmacists working in primary care This guide was reviewed and revised in July 2003. Click here to see the revised version: PCT Responsibilities around prescribing and medicines management: a scoping and support guide

Other competency frameworks

September 2005

Monitoring and inspecting the management of controlled drugs – a competency framework (England) The Government's response to the fourth report of the Shipman Inquiry describes how the arrangements for the monitoring and inspection of Controlled Drugs (CDs) across all health and social care environments in the UK will be modified. This document briefly outlines these arrangements and presents a detailed framework of competencies for all individuals and teams involved in the process of monitoring and inspection of CDs - regardless of their background or employing organisation.