28 September 2026 · The Pharmacist
NPA framework calls for record access in prescribing expansion
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has published a new framework setting out the prerequisites required to enable the safe and sustainable expansion of independent prescribing services across the pharmacy sector.
A primary requirement highlighted within the document is that pharmacists must have sufficient access to patient records. The framework emphasises that access to this clinical information is necessary to underpin safe decision-making before new prescribing services are officially introduced. Without adequate visibility of relevant patient histories, the capacity of independent prescribers to deliver safe care and make appropriate therapeutic decisions is limited.
The framework outlines what infrastructure and safeguards must be established to support the wider development of prescribing roles. Although further detailed recommendations from the publication have not yet been fully set out in the report, the clear focus is on ensuring practitioners are equipped with comprehensive patient data before service delivery commences. Ensuring this record access is available is presented as a fundamental step for managing clinical risk and ensuring long-term sustainability.
For UK online pharmacies and digital health brands, this indicates that securing dependable access to patient health records will likely be a vital operational requirement ahead of launching or expanding independent prescribing workflows.