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NETHERLAND

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The pharmacy profession is regulated in The Netherlands. This means that access to this profession is regulated by law. Therefore, pharmacists with a non-Dutch diploma who wish to work in The Netherlands as a pharmacist need the approval of the Dutch authorities.

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The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) is an independent committee that advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). On request, the CBGV makes recommendations about the content of courses of education and training followed. In the case of applicant doctors, dentists and nurses, the CBGV bases its recommendation on the assessment. In the case of other professions, the CBGV bases its advice on the applicant’s file.

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The BIG-register occasionally requests an advice about the legitimacy of a diploma or an appraisal of the educational level of a course. The Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) carries out appraisals of higher professional education and university courses.

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BIG register (Open link) outlines which steps you must undertake in order to be allowed to practice a regulated profession in The Netherlands. Follow the links in https://www.nuffic.nl/en/diploma-recognition/recognition-of-your-profession-in-the-netherlands . They will lead you to the address of the Dutch authority to which you should apply. Pharmacy assistants and technicians follow the same steps.

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Application for specialism-

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Do you have a legally recognized specialism in addition to your diploma as pharmacist, doctor, health psychologist, dentist or nurse? If so, you can apply simultaneously for recognition of your basic profession and your specialism in the BIG-register eg. Hospital Pharmacist.

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Hospital pharmacists-

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In The Netherlands hospital pharmacy is a recognized specialization. Hospital pharmacists with a non-Dutch diploma should, after receiving their recognition as a pharmacist by the Dutch authorities contact the Specialists Registration Committee of the Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Society (KNMP) for recognition as a hospital pharmacist (https://www.knmp.nl/professie/opleiding-en-her-registratie/ziekenhuisapothekers)

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Here are the contact data for the KNMP, Koninklijke Nederalndse Maatschappij voor Pharmacie, Royal Netherlands Society for Pharmacy

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Contact: communicatie@knmp.nl

Bezoekadres KNMP: Alexanderstraat 11, 2514 JL Den Haag

Postadres KNMP: Postbus 30460, 2500 GL Den Haag, (070) 373 73 73

And this is the url of their helpdesk for various issues: Helpdesks & contact

Note- You may also download flowchart for professional recognition if needed.

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