EU (EUROPIAN UNION)
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The basic requirement for pharmacists to be considered for registration is an undergraduate or postgraduate Pharmacy degree from a recognized university. In most countries this involves a four-year course to attain a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree. However in the United States, to become a registered pharmacist, students graduating after 2005 must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree which takes six years from an accredited college of pharmacy.
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In order to practice as a pharmacist, the person must be registered with the relevant statutory body, which governs the registration and practice of pharmacy within the territory of its jurisdiction. There is often a requirement for the pharmacy graduate to have completed a certain number of hours of experience in a pharmacy, under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and finally the relavant statutory body will usually administer a written and oral examination to the prospective pharmacist prior to registration.
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Below is the basic information for pharmacists who are considering working as a pharmacist in Europian Union.
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Getting started
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In the first instance pharmacists could check the specific requirements with regards to working as a pharmacist for the country in which they are interested in living and working, apply for a certificate of current professional status, check the language requirements, investigate the job market in the country in which they are interested in living and working, check out embassy websites as these are a good starting point for finding out about work permits/visas.
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Registration requirements
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In order to practice as a pharmacist, some countries will require applicants to sit exams in order to prove their competency as a pharmacist. Once all other paperwork has been completed, some countries may require pharmacists to undergo a period of training before being recognized as an experienced pharmacist. Pharmacists should be aware that some countries, for example, America, will require applicants to sit an English exam, even when English is their first language.
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Pharmacists should note that some countries will require pharmacists to have a job offer before going through the visa and/or registration process.
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Some authorities will require certified copies of documents (to prove that they are genuine), and in some circumstances, they may request sworn translations for key documents. Often, authorities will have a list of preferred translators. Pharmacists will need to check with the individual regulator for their exact requirements.
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Working in the European Union
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Under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, there will be no change to the rules with regards working in the EU for the next two years. After this two year period, future arrangements will be announced by the government
At the moment, pharmacists who want to work within the European Union must apply to the authority that oversees the profession in their country of choice. Authorities must acknowledge applications within one month of receipt and assess applicant’s qualifications and make a decision on individual applications within three months.
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Pharmacists should note that in more complicated cases, this process can take up to four months.
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For further information, see the European Commission website.
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Certificate of current professional status
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Ordinarily, pharmacists will need to ask their respective Pharmacy Council to send a certificate of current professional status and fitness to practice history to the relevant registration and/or regulatory authority of country in which they seek job.
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Language requirements
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Pharmacists who want to work abroad will also need to consider the language requirements of the country to which they are planning to move. Moving to a country where English is the official language, for example, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and America would be relatively straight forward, language wise. However, some parts of Europe will require pharmacists to be fluent in the home language, and in some instances, for example, Belgium and Luxembourg, pharmacists will ideally need to be fluent in several European languages.
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Some helpful language websites: DuoLingo website, BBC Languages website, Open culture website.
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Job market
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Pharmacists can check with the professional pharmaceutical body in their preferred country to see what possible job opportunities might be available to them. There are many websites and search engines that can help people to find job opportunities eg. Pharmiweb.com website, Emedcareers website, EuroPharmajobs website.
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Passports and visas
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At the moment, UK passport holders can live, study or work anywhere within the European Economic Area (EEA) without a visa. Pharmacists who are planning to work outside the EEA may need a visa. The British Council (the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities) recommends that travelers have a passport that is valid for at least six months at the point of travel. For further information about passports, travelling and living abroad, see the UK government website.
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Health services and vaccinations
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In all instances, pharmacists who register for work in European Economic Area (EEA) country should check to ensure what health insurance is needed in advance of travelling. Equally, all pharmacists should check to see what, if any, inoculations are needed well in advance of travelling. For a country-by-county guide to EEA and non-EEA healthcare, see the NHS website. For further information about travel vaccinations for every country in the world, see the NHS fit for travel website.
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European pharmaceutical regulatory/professional bodies
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Please see below for a list of European pharmaceutical regulatory/professional bodies. These bodies can supply information about working in their country as a pharmacist.
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Austria: Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists
Belgium: Belgian Pharmaceutical Association
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union
Croatia: Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists
Cyprus: Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association
Czech Republic: Czech Chamber of Pharmacists
Denmark: The Association of Danish Pharmacies
Estonia: Estonian Pharmacies Association
Finland: Association of Finnish Pharmacies
France: Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France
Germany: Federal Union of German Pharmacists Association
Greece: Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association
Hungary: Hungarian Chamber of Pharmacists
Iceland: The Icelandic Medicines Agency
Ireland (North): Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
Ireland (South): The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Italy: Federation of the Order of Italian Pharmacists
Latvia: State Agency of Medicines of the Republic of Latvia
Liechtenstein: Office of Health-Department of Pharmaceuticals
Lithuania: State Medicines Control Agency
Luxembourg: Union of Luxembourg Pharmacists
Malta: Malta Chamber of Pharmacists
Netherlands: Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Association
Poland: Polish Pharmaceutical Chamber
Portugal (including Maderia): Pharmaceutical Society
Romania: The Romanian College of Pharmacists
Slovak Republic: Slovak Chamber of Pharmacists
Slovenia: Slovenian Chamber of Pharmacy
Spain: General Council of Spanish Pharmacists
Sweden: Swedish Pharmacy Association
Switzerland: Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products
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Non-European pharmaceutical regulatory/professional bodies
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Australia: Pharmacy Board of Australia
Bahamas: The Bahamas Pharmacy Council
Bermuda: Bermuda Health Council
Canada: Canadian Pharmacists Association
Caribbean: Caribbean Association of Pharmacists
Fiji: Ministry of Health and Medical Services
India: The Indian Pharmaceutical Association
Jamaica: Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica
Japan: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency
Malaysia: National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau
Mauritius: Pharmaceutical Association of Mauritius
Pakistan: Pharmacy Council of Pakistan
Singapore: Singapore Pharmacy Council
South Africa: South African Pharmacy Council
Sri Lanka: Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka
St. Lucia: The Pharmacy Council of St. Lucia
United Arab Emirates: Dubai Health Authority
United States of America: National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
New Zealand: Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
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Other useful organisations-
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Employed community Pharmacists in Europe
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Employed community Pharmacists in Europe (EPhEU) is a European wide organisation representing the interests of employed community pharmacists. For further information, see the EPhEU website.
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Your Europe
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Your Europe provides advice regarding the recognition of profession qualifications within Europe. For further information, see the Your Europe website.
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Commonwealth Pharmacists Association
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The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association is an organization of Commonwealth professional pharmaceutical bodies and individual members. For further information, see the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association website.
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European Professional Card - EPC
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The European Professional Card (EPC) is an electronic procedure you can use to have your professional qualifications recognized in another EU country. It is easier and quicker and more transparent. For the moment, you can use the EPC procedure only if you are: a nurse responsible for general care, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, a mountain guide or a real estate agent.
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If you got your qualification outside the EU, then you can apply for EPC if:
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your qualification has already been recognized in one EU country,
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and you have exercised your profession there for at least 3 years following its recognition.
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Advantages of the European Professional Card
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Your home country authorities will assist you with your application and check that it is correct and complete. They will also certify the authenticity and validity of your documents.
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If in the future, whether you want to make a request to settle long-term or provide services temporarily in another country, your file will already exist in the system and you will not need to upload all the documents again. This will save you time on subsequent applications.
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If the host country authorities in charge of your application do not take a final decision within the appropriate deadline, recognition will be granted automatically and you will be able to generate an EPC certificate.
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How to apply for an EPC
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To apply for an EPC, you will first need to sign in with EU Login, the European Commission authentication service. Once your profile information is complete, you can create an application, upload electronically scanned copies of the relevant documents and submit them to your home country authority.
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You can use the EPC procedure if:
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you want to practice your profession in another EU country on a temporary and occasional basis (temporary mobility), Example: A Belgian real estate agent wants to go to Hungary to assist a client with the search of an apartment in Budapest.
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you want to settle in another EU country and practice your profession there permanently (establishment), Example: A Polish pharmacist has studied and obtained her diploma in Germany and she now wants to come back to Poland and work as a pharmacist there.
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The EPC is not a physical card. It is the electronic proof that you have passed administrative checks and your professional qualifications have been recognized by the country you want to work in (host country),. If you are not sure whether you need to apply for an EPC for temporary mobility or establishment purpose, you can ask the national authorities.
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If you plan to settle in the country long-term (establishment) you may also need to register with a professional body or undergo additional checks before starting to practice your profession. You can also check with the national authorities whether this is required in your case.