Key Summary
- RCPharm raises concerns over proposed changes to the education and training of internationally qualified pharmacists.
- Patient safety and enough time and support for internationally qualified pharmacists should remain central to any reforms.
- RCPharm warns that a significantly reduced timeframe to the programme will make it more challenging for overseas pharmacists to safely adapt.
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) has raised concerns regarding the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) consultation on proposed changes to the education and training of internationally-qualified pharmacists seeking registration in Great Britain.
The College's National Pharmacy Advisory Councils highlighted critical issues that must be addressed if the proposals are developed further.
The GPhC consultation, first published in April, closes today (21 July).
Internationally-qualified pharmacists currently complete two years of education and training before they can apply to register with the GPhC. This includes a one-year postgraduate diploma (the Overseas Pharmacists’ Assessment Programme, OSPAP), one year of foundation training, and the GPhC’s Common Registration Assessment.
The consultation proposed reducing the current training pathway from two years to one year, alongside the inclusion of independent prescribing within the programme.
The College said that any changes should ensure internationally qualified pharmacists are given sufficient time, support and practical experience to successfully transition into pharmacy practice in Great Britain. This poses a challenge within a significantly reduced timeframe.
The College emphasised the importance of maintaining patient safety, professional standards and public confidence. They also recognised the consultation as an opportunity to modernise the current route and support greater flexibility.
Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: "Internationally qualified pharmacists make a hugely valuable contribution to patient care across Great Britain, and we welcome efforts to review and modernise the current registration pathway.
"Any future model should strike a balance between recognising existing experience and ensuring pharmacists are fully supported as they adapt to a new healthcare system, regulatory framework and professional environment.
"We support exploring greater flexibility and recognition of prior learning where appropriate. As these proposals are developed, it will be important to ensure there are robust arrangements in place to support learning, supervision and assessment, while maintaining the high standards that patients, the public and the profession rightly expect."
The response also raises the importance of considering programme capacity, access to placements and supervision, the wellbeing of learners and the practical delivery of independent prescribing training within any revised model.
The College concluded that while it supports further exploration of approaches that recognise prior learning and experience, there must be transparent and consistent mechanisms in place for assessing equivalence and competence.
