Medicine in Practice was set up by the directors of Virtual Pharmacist to share the training and competence framework developed for our pharmacists with the wider profession. Virtual Pharmacist uses its simulation-based learning as part of clinician development and assurance.
Simulation gives pharmacy professionals a place to practise decisions and discuss feedback before applying learning in clinical work. It contributes evidence about performance in the training environment; it does not, by itself, establish workplace competence.
Why clinical competence matters
Medication reviews, reconciliation, monitoring and prescribing require professional judgement. Before a clinician takes on a task, their professional registration, relevant qualifications, assessed competence and scope of practice need to match the work.
For independent prescribers, the prescribing annotation is one part of that assessment. Induction, supervision, review of clinical work and escalation arrangements remain necessary parts of a governed service.
What Medicine in Practice provides
The platform offers simulated primary care pharmacy work with feedback, including medicines reviews, correspondence, results and clinical coding. Its certificates record learning or performance demonstrated within its programme and can be checked through its verification process.
Medicine in Practice states that its framework is its own and is not endorsed or accredited by the GPhC or another regulator. Its certificates are not regulatory qualifications. Review the provider’s terms and governance information when interpreting a certificate.
What the partnership means
Virtual Pharmacist recognises simulation evidence as a contribution to development and assurance alongside role-specific assessment, professional registration, supervision and review of clinical work. A certificate should be read for the activities and version it covers, rather than treated as a guarantee of readiness for every clinical task.
Verifying that a certificate is authentic is different from establishing the independence or validity of an assessment. Commissioners should consider who sets the standard, how work is assessed and what limitations apply.
What practices and PCNs should ask
- What work has this clinician been assessed to undertake?
- How are prescribing competence and clinical scope established?
- What induction and supervision are in place?
- How is clinical work reviewed, and how are concerns escalated?
- What does any training certificate demonstrate, and what does it not cover?
These questions complement the clinical governance and data security arrangements for the service. Training evidence is one part of that wider assurance.
For pharmacy professionals
Simulation can support learning and reflective discussion when moving into primary care or developing an existing role. The next step is to relate that learning to the clinician’s actual scope, local induction and supervised practice.
Frequently asked questions
Does simulation replace registration, assessment or supervision?
No. Simulation provides training evidence. Professional registration, role-specific competence assessment, induction, supervision and review of clinical work remain necessary.
What does a Medicine in Practice certificate show?
It records learning or simulated performance within the provider’s programme. It is not a regulatory qualification or a guarantee of workplace competence.
Does a verification ID prove independent assessment?
A verification ID can help establish the authenticity of a certificate. Medicine in Practice was founded by Virtual Pharmacist’s directors, so it should not be described as organisationally independent of Virtual Pharmacist. A certificate does not, on its own, establish competence for a clinical role.
How can a practice assess the wider service?
Ask about clinician scope, prescribing competence, induction, supervision, clinical audit and escalation, as well as the meaning and limitations of any training evidence.
See our current opportunities or contact Virtual Pharmacist to discuss clinical pharmacy support.
Primary references
Medicine in Practice organisation terms; Medicine in Practice explanation of training evidence; GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers.
