Non-medical prescribing: Where are we now?

Non-medical prescribing has been allowed in the United Kingdom (UK) since 1992. Its development over the past 24 years has been marked by changes in legislation, enabling the progression towards independent prescribing for nurses, pharmacists and a range of allied health professionals. Although the UK has led the way regarding the introduction of non-medical prescribing, it is now seen in a number of other Western-European and Anglo-phone countries although the models of application vary widely between countries. The programme of study to become a NMP within the UK is rigorous, and involves a combination of taught curricula and practice based learning. Prescribing is a complex skill that is high risk and error prone, with many influencing factors. Literature reports regarding the impact of non-medical prescribing are sparse, with the majority of prescribing research tending to focus instead on prescribing by doctors. The impact of non-medical prescribing however is important to evaluate, and can be carried out from several perspectives. This review takes a brief look back at the history of non-medical prescribing, and compares this to the international situation. It also describes the processes required to qualify as a NMP in the UK, potential influences on non-medical prescribing and the impact of non-medical prescribing on patient opinions and outcomes and the opinions of doctors and other healthcare professionals.