Significant Barriers Exist in General Practice Independent Pharmacist Prescribing
Researchers explored the confidence, barriers, and role of general practice independent pharmacists regarding prescribing services within primary care settings.
While general practice pharmacists expressed confidence in their roles as independent prescribers, significant barriers persisted, according to a study published in Healthcare.1 The most notable barriers included insurance concerns, training gaps, and undefined roles for independent pharmacists, among several others.
“The role of general practice independent pharmacist prescribers (GPIPPs) has expanded significantly in primary care, with increasing responsibilities in medicines optimization, chronic disease management, and clinical decision-making. As health care systems shift towards multidisciplinary team (MDT) models, pharmacist prescribers are expected to contribute to medication safety, independent prescribing, and patient management. However, despite the growing recognition of pharmacist prescribing, there remains a gap in understanding regarding their confidence in clinical decision-making and the barriers they encounter in this role,” wrote authors of the study.
To identify both barriers and confidence among GPIPPs, a total of 37 of them completed a questionnaire. | image credit: H_Ko / stock.adobe.com
While the complexity of these barriers can mainly be determined by the pharmacists, it’s federal- and state-level policies that hinder pharmacists’ abilities. Despite pharmacists expanding into hospitals, long-term care, consulting practices in various settings, and traditional community pharmacies, their scope of practice has been undermined by other players within the health care system or the pharmaceutical supply chain.2
READ MORE: Q&A: As Scope of Practice Expands, Technology Must Catch Up
Indeed, the American Medical Association sent a letter to Congress this past August calling for a stop to the expansion of pharmacists’ abilities to test and treat patients with certain illnesses.3
“This research will provide valuable insights into the factors influencing GPIPPs’ confidence and professional identity, highlighting the structural and professional barriers that they face,” continued authors of the current study.1 “The findings will inform targeted policy recommendations, training improvements, and support strategies to enhance the role of GPIPPs in primary care settings. The study objective is to explore GPIPPs’ confidence in clinical decision-making, the barriers they encounter, and their professional identity within primary care settings.”
To identify both barriers and confidence among GPIPPs, researchers conducted a questionnaire assessing the prescribers’ demographic information, confidence in clinical decision-making, barriers to prescribing, and professional identity.
A total of 37 GPIPPs (76% women; 43% of respondents aged 31-40) completed the questionnaire. Exhibiting a variety of expertise in the pharmacy industry, many respondents had been working as pharmacists for over 10 years, while GPIPPs had mainly been in their roles for 4 to 6 years. Some GPIPPs, however, had worked in their role for over 10 years.
“Several factors were identified as barriers to pharmacists’ confidence in clinical decision-making. Nearly half of the respondents cited indemnity concerns as a major factor limiting their confidence,” continued the authors.1 “More than three-quarters of pharmacists were either satisfied or very satisfied with the clinical support available in their practice. However, very few respondents expressed dissatisfaction, indicating that while most pharmacists feel supported, some may require additional mentorship or structured decision-making frameworks.”
In their findings that highlight the authoritative abilities of GPIPPs and their duties, researchers discovered that many pharmacists were confident in their decision making and that their independent prescribing training was sufficient. However, researchers identified gaps that hinder GPIPP abilities.
“A gap between theoretical training and practical experience emerged, with several GPIPPs noting a need for more case-based, real-world training,” they wrote.1 “This gap suggests that while initial training may provide the foundational knowledge, it does not fully prepare prescribers for the complexities of clinical practice.”
Aside from gaps in GPIPPs’ real-world experience, researchers identified barriers amid complex patient cases, legal concerns, professional authority, and more. Researchers presented a variety of ways for GPIPPs to overcome these challenges and spread their expertise to the patient populations that need it the most.
“The quantitative and qualitative findings revealed that while GPIPPs demonstrate high confidence in prescribing within defined competencies, significant barriers persist in handling complex cases, overcoming legal concerns, and gaining professional recognition. Addressing these issues through policy changes, structured training, and better collaboration within MDTs will be essential in optimizing the role of GPIPPs and ensuring their full integration into primary care prescribing pathways,” concluded authors of the study.1
READ MORE: Independent Pharmacies Must Expand Services to Stay Afloat | AAP 2025
Ready to impress your pharmacy colleagues with the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips? Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter.
