RPS wants registration of 'provisional pharmacists' to be fast-tracked

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called on the General Pharmaceutical Council to ensure pre-registration pharmacists are not “left in the limbo” and disadvantaged in their career due to the Coronavirus crisis.

Asking for the registrations of 'provisional pharmacists' to be fast-tracked, the RPS is calling for “their contributions” to be “acknowledged as part of their career development.” This will mean ensuring that the time spent is counted towards the two years practice they need to become an independent prescriber or added as their Foundation Training.

Furthermore, the RPS wants guarantees that they have access to “a named clinical supervisor” who would provide appropriate support and structure during the provisional registration.

Gail Fleming, RPS Director of Education and Professional Development said: “We fully support GPhC’s proposal to introduce provisional registration and postpone the assessment, enabling pre-reg pharmacists to take up employment this summer.

“Those employed during the extraordinary conditions of the current pandemic must have their efforts recognised.

“We are developing new guidance to help pre-reg pharmacists feel prepared for their new roles and extending membership without no additional cost during the pandemic.”