Support urged for unsuccessful Pharmacy candidates as GPhC declares results

The GPhC and PDA are emphasize the need for robust support systems for candidates who sat the June 2024 registration assessment for pharmacists, offering guidance on mental health resources and the appeals process for those who were unsuccessful

In light of the recently announced results of the June 2024 registration assessment for pharmacists, Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) acknowledged the importance of a robust support network for candidates who did not clear the assessment.

The results announced on Tuesday (30) and jointly published by (GPhC) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) revealed that 695 out of 2,776 candidates were unsuccessful while 75 per cent successfully passed the assessment, highlighting the challenges faced by a significant portion of aspiring pharmacists.

In a statement Rudkin emphasised that failing the assessment does not mark the end of the journey, stating:

"The registration assessment is one of the ways we test trainee pharmacists to ensure they understand how to apply knowledge appropriately and in a timely way. This means they can make professional judgements when practising.

“For those who unfortunately didn’t pass the assessment, there are a range of options available, with all the relevant information on the June 2024 registration assessment page."

Furthermore, he pointed to various resources available to help candidates navigate this difficult period.

"The charity Pharmacist Support can also provide help with mental health and wellbeing as well as practical advice," Rudkin added.

Pharmacist Support provides vital assistance, including mental health and wellbeing services, which are crucial for candidates grappling with the emotional impact of not passing the assessment.

Additionally, the charity offers practical advice on next steps, including career guidance and strategies for preparing to retake the assessment.

For many candidates, particularly those who were sitting the exam for a second or third time, the pressure can be overwhelming.

The pass rates for these groups were notably lower, with only 53 per cent of second-time sitters and 59 per cent of third-time sitters passing.

This underscores the need for targeted interventions to help these candidates overcome the hurdles they face.

As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve, the GPhC and other stakeholders are being urged to ensure that all trainees, especially those who struggle, have access to the support they need.

This includes not only academic and professional guidance but also emotional and mental health resources.

Rudkin also congratulated successful candidates to passed the assessment in June.

A total of 2,776 candidates sat for the assessment, with 2,081 successfully passing, yielding an overall pass rate of 75 per cent.

"Many congratulations to the candidates who passed this year’s registration assessment. It is the culmination of years of hard work and part of the journey to becoming a registered pharmacist," he said.

Decline in success rates

The June 2024 assessment results show a slight decline in the pass rate compared to previous years, with 2023 recording a pass rate of 77 per cent, and 2022 a higher 80 per cent .

Of the 2,678 candidates who sat under the GPhC jurisdiction, 2,358 were first-time sitters, with 77 per cent of them passing.

Second-time sitters had a pass rate of 53 per cent, while third-time sitters had a pass rate of 59 per cent.

In addition to emotional and practical support, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has reminded candidates of their right to appeal if they believe there were procedural errors or exceptional circumstances that affected their performance.

The PDA advises candidates to thoroughly review the GPhC’s guidance on appeals and gather all necessary evidence before proceeding.

"The PDA would like to remind all candidates who sat the June 2024 assessment, and feel that they have grounds to appeal on receipt of their results, to review the GPhC guidance and gather all evidence before taking action," the PDA stated.

The appeal process is strict, with valid grounds limited to procedural errors or exceptional circumstances unknown to the candidate at the time of the exam.

Appeals must be submitted by 5 pm on Tuesday, 20 August 2024, with supporting evidence provided in a clear format.