In May 2026, students and faculty from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy participated in a faculty-led elective visit to UCL School of Pharmacy focused on the evolving role of pharmacist independent prescribing within the United Kingdom healthcare system.
The program was designed to provide UNC Doctor of Pharmacy students with firsthand exposure to UK healthcare delivery, pharmacy practice, and pharmacist prescribing models. Learning outcomes emphasized understanding the implementation of pharmacist independent prescribing in the UK, comparing pharmacy services between the UK and United States, exploring global healthcare trends, and reflecting on the impact of international experiences on future pharmacy careers.
Students completed extensive preparatory activities, including synchronous lectures on global health and independent prescribing with UNC faculty Dr. Sarah Merritt and Dr. Christy Sherrill. Preparation also included simulation-based exercises using the MyDispense virtual community pharmacy platform originally developed by Monash University. UK and USA MyDispense Chapter leads Mr. Adam Phillips and Dr. Clark Kebodeaux used the platform to introduce students to UK prescription workflows, legal requirements, dispensing practices, and pharmacist responsibilities, helping prepare them for placement experiences within the UK healthcare system.
A central component of the elective was a full-day immersive study program hosted by faculty and staff at UCL School of Pharmacy, including Prof. Louise Brown, Dr. Michael Leech, Mrs. Anika Ahmad, Mrs. Tasneem Kapadia, Dr. Melissa Rayner, and Mrs. Josephine Falade. Sessions led by UCL academics and pharmacist independent prescribers introduced students to healthcare delivery in the UK, prescribing practices, and the integration of pharmacists into primary and secondary care settings. Students discussed the education and training required for pharmacists to provide direct patient care services with PharmAlliance UCL Student Domain leads Ms. Megan Wong and Ms. Gift Boateng. The day also included clinical simulation activities focused on clinical reasoning and decision-making, as well as preparation for experiential placements across community and primary care environments.
Throughout the week, students participated in placements across a range of healthcare environments, including community pharmacies and clinical services within the UK through Central and North West London (CNWL) Foundation Trust which is an National Health Service provider. Experiences included exposure to mental health services, addictions care, ADHD prescribing clinics, eating disorder services, and community health teams, offering students a broad perspective on the expanding scope of pharmacist practice in the UK. The experience also provided students with a global lens through which they explored cultural and historical nuances while recognizing the influence of communication within diverse cultural contexts.
This initiative reflects PharmAlliance’s ongoing commitment to advancing global pharmacy education through collaborative, experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to engage with evolving models of healthcare practice worldwide.