Clinical pharmacology and prescribing education: An updated medical school curriculum from the British Pharmacological Society.

aimsPrescribing is a complex, essential skill that doctors must acquire to practice medicine safely and effectively. The British Pharmacological Society has historically provided a core curriculum to guide clinical pharmacology and prescribing education in UK medical schools. This study aimed to update the 2012 curriculum to reflect contemporary practice, regulatory requirements and the evolving needs of medical education.

methodsA modified Delphi was undertaken. A steering committee of six clinical and educational experts reviewed the previous curriculum and oversaw the process. Forty experts, comprising clinical and academic pharmacologists, medical educators and pharmacists from across the UK, participated in three Delphi rounds. Round 1 involved item-level review of existing learning outcomes; Round 2 incorporated feedback and new proposals; Round 3 convened expert panels to resolve outstanding disagreements. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement.

resultsThe updated curriculum comprises four sections: (I) Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, (II) Drugs, (III) Therapeutics and (IV) Prescribing and related skills. Key changes include consistent application of clearly defined command verbs, updates to reflect current practice and a reduction in learning outcomes (226 to 205), particularly in Section I. The core drug list remained stable, with minor revisions and reorganization.

conclusionThis updated British Pharmacological Society curriculum provides a robust, evidence-based framework for clinical pharmacology and prescribing education. Its structured approach supports curriculum design, mapping and quality assurance, while alignment with national assessments and regulatory expectations ensures relevance for undergraduate education and early clinical practice. It aims to enhance safe, effective and responsible prescribing by future doctors.