What Are Independent Prescribers and Supplementary Prescribers?
Independent prescribers (IP) and supplementary prescribers (SP) are professional healthcare practitioners that can prescribe medications to patients. Independent prescribers are medical practitioners responsible for assessing patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed health conditions and making decisions about their clinical management, including prescribing medicines.
Independent prescribers can prescribe generic medications, except where the medicine isn't clinically appropriate.
Supplementary prescribers are professional healthcare providers that work in partnership with independent providers, such as doctors and dentists, to provide prescribed medicines that are part of an agreed Clinical Management Plan for an individual patient with that patient's agreement.
Professional healthcare providers that fall into these categories include the following:
Nurses
Nurse Independent Prescribers (NIPs) can prescribe any medicine for any medical condition. Unlicensed medicines are excluded from the Nurse Prescribing Formulary in Scotland. NIPs can prescribe, administer, and manage the administration of Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 5 Controlled Drugs, including diamorphine hydrochloride, dipipanone, or cocaine for treating organic disease or injury - but not for treating addiction.
NIPs have to work within their own level of professional competence and expertise and are subject to an Approved list for prescribing by Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers (NPF).
Pharmacists
Pharmacist Independent Prescribers (PIPs) prescribe any medicine for any medical condition. They can also prescribe, administer, and manage the administration of Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 5 Controlled Drugs, including diamorphine hydrochloride, dipipanone, or cocaine for treating organic disease or injury - but not for treating addiction.
PIPs must work within their own level of professional competence and expertise.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapist Independent Prescribers are allowed to prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, including 'off-label' medications subject to accepted clinical good practice. They must work within their own level of professional competence and expertise. Physiotherapists can prescribe controlled drugs, including:
- Dihydrocodeine tartrate
- Lorazepam
- Oral or injectable morphine
- Oxycodone hydrochloride or temazepam
- Transdermal fentanyl
- Oral diazepam
Therapeutic radiographers
Therapeutic Radiographer Independent Prescribers can prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, including 'off-label' medications subject to accepted clinical good practice. They must work within their own level of professional competence and expertise.
Optometrists
Optometrist Independent Prescribers can prescribe any licensed medicine specifically for ocular conditions affecting the eye and the tissues surrounding the eye. They cannot prescribe controlled drugs for parenteral administration. They must work within their own level of professional competence and expertise.
Podiatrists
Podiatrist Independent Prescribers can prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, including 'off-label' medications subject to accepted clinical good practice. They can also prescribe controlled drugs for oral administration, such as diazepam, dihydrocodeine tartrate, lorazepam and temazepam.
Paramedics
Paramedic Independent Prescribers can prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, including 'off-label' medications subject to accepted clinical good practice. They must work within their own level of professional competence and expertise.
PDUK Ltd. Provides professional courses and workshops for healthcare practitioners and associated support staff. We recommend the following courses
Annual NMP V300 update course: Online- a yearly update for NMPs who have already completed their V300 training.
This one-day interactive online course is perfect for non-medical prescribers (NMP) with a recorded prescribing qualification (V300) who are working within the NMP role.
Participants completing this course will fulfil their requirement for NMPs to demonstrate ongoing CPD by updating their qualifications annually.
This course is aimed at NMP with a V300, including nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, midwives and paramedics.
Confident Deprescribing: Practical Skills for Safe Prescribing in Older People- this scheduled virtual workshop will equip non-medical prescribers with the confidence and tools to make safe, evidence-informed decisions when managing patients on multiple medications.
Attendees learn how to identify potentially harmful combinations, streamline repeat prescriptions, reduce treatment burden for patients, and ensure prescribing is always safe, appropriate, and cost-effective.
Article information
Written by: Practitioner Development UK
Reviewed by: Dr Debra Sharu, Practitioner Development UK
Last reviewed and updated: 14 May 2026
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional prescribing, legal, regulatory or clinical advice. Prescribing responsibilities and restrictions vary by professional role, scope of practice, competence, registration status and current UK medicines legislation. Healthcare professionals should always check current guidance from their regulator, employer, local medicines policy and relevant national guidance before prescribing.
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