The newly revised Prescribing Competency Framework has been launched in collaboration between NICE and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Framework sets out the competencies which need to be met by all prescribers, regardless of their professional background in order to demonstrate ability and effectiveness.

There are 10 competencies which must be met by prescribers which are divided into two areas – consultation and governance:

Consultation with the patient

1. Assessment of the patient 

2. Consideration of the options 

3. Reaching of a shared decision 

4. Prescribing 

5. Providing information 

6. Monitoring and reviewing

Prescribing governance

7. Prescribing safely 

8. Prescribing professionally 

9. Improving prescribing practice 

10. Prescribing as part of a team

As the prescribing of medicines is a complex process it is important that prescribers achieve the right levels of competency in order to prescribe medicines in the most optimal way possible. Prescribers continually face the challenge of keeping up to date with new medicines as they come onto the market and being aware of the potential for interaction between medicines in patients with multiple co-morbidities.  When prescribed and used effectively medicines have the potential to significantly improve the quality of lives and improve patient outcomes.