Appropriate and safe prescribing by junior doctors is important. We surveyed junior doctors working in New Zealand hospitals on two occasions within the same calendar year regarding their education in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and how they perceive their confidence, knowledge and the safety of their decisions when prescribing. Of the surveys distributed, approximately 30% were completed, with respondents coming from both post-graduate Years 1 and 2 and having worked in 20 of the 21 District Health Boards. Three issues are apparent: Confidence from knowledge: Although junior doctors recalled having clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education in their undergraduate curricula, only 50% perceived that their level of knowledge was adequate. There was variability in confidence in prescribing different types of drugs for different patient groups and for those with different problems. Experience increased confidence in prescribing. Sources of advice: MIMS (a prescribing manual), pharmacists and senior clinicians were all being used as resources on indications, dosing and contraindications. Workplace-based prescribing: Junior doctors highlighted several different problems related to prescribing in the workplace. Although limited by response rate, recall bias and perceptions rather than performance, this study produced useful information that could inform future planning for pharmacology, therapeutics and prescribing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]