From pharmacy to dietetics: why prescribing matters
After working as a community pharmacist for 20 years before becoming a dietitian, Imogen explains why she believes the profession is ready for independent prescribing.
From pharmacist to dietitian
Imogen Will is a former pharmacist who now works as a dietitian in Scotland, and runs a private weight management clinic from her pharmacy practice. She shared her views on why dietitians should be able to independently prescribe.
"I am writing in support of the BDA’s campaign to obtain independent prescribing rights for dietitians. I recently qualified as a dietitian and also hold 20 years of experience as a community pharmacist. Pharmacists have had independent prescribing rights since 2006, albeit this wasn't commonplace until recently. As of 2026 all newly qualified pharmacists will graduate with independent prescribing training. I myself completed the training 2 years ago, so I have a unique insight into the value and impact of implementing prescribing in my professional role."
Bringing prescribing knowledge into dietetics
"Having the ability to prescribe has transformed my practice, and I have seen first-hand the benefits of being able to assess, diagnose, and implement treatment promptly without the additional steps of referring to the patient's GP. This has streamlined patient care, reduced workload for GPs, and I believe this leads to improved patient outcomes as treatment can be started promptly."
Why dietitians are ready
"I currently run a private weight management clinic from my pharmacy practice. I routinely prescribe GLP-1 injections in my clinic. From my experience, dietitians are ideally positioned to provide this service, due to our wealth of knowledge around weight management and behaviour change. This is becoming more pertinent as GLP-1 therapies continue to evolve and will become more widely available through NHS channels in the near future."
Supporting better patient care
"During my placements as a dietetic student, I saw many circumstances where independent prescribing would have been helpful. For example, a renal patient who required a phosphate binder, a patient with constipation requiring laxatives, community patients who required oral nutritional supplements, and type 1 diabetic patients needing insulin dose adjustments. These are all situations where dietitians are ideally placed to be prescribing.
“We are the specialists in nutrition-related conditions. We are trained to assess and diagnose. Prescribing is the final link in the chain to deliver safe, effective, and seamless patient care.”
How independent prescribing could improve patient care
Drawing on her experience as both a pharmacist and a dietitian, Imogen believes independent prescribing would enable dietitians to provide more efficient, joined-up care while making the best use of their specialist expertise.
✅ Faster access to treatment for patients
✅ Reduced pressure on GPs and other prescribers
✅ Better integration of nutrition and medication management
✅ Improved access to specialist support for weight management and long-term conditions
✅ More efficient, joined-up healthcare
