UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
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In Great Britain the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is responsible for regulation of pharmacy affairs and in Northern Ireland it is the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Anyone wanting to work in the UK as a pharmacist must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The term pharmacist is protected in the United Kingdom. It can only be used by individuals that are registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
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EEA nationals
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The GPhC is the regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians. Pharmacists that have obtained their qualifications and are registered in other countries of the European Economic Area can register with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain without undergoing additional or pre-registration training.
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Qualifications obtained outside the EEA
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Applicants who hold qualifications obtained outside the EEA, or non-EEA nationals who hold European pharmacy qualifications (other than a UK-recognisd pharmacy qualification), must follow the GPhC Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) to apply for registration. When the GPhC has verified the information requested, the appropriate application for registration form will be sent to the applicant.
Register as a Pharmacist (Overseas Graduates ):
Before you can apply for registration you will need to have successfully completed:
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an Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP)
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52 weeks of pre-registration training approved by the GPhC, and
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RPSGB examination and the registration assessment
Meeting these criteria does not necessarily mean you will gain entry to the UK or find employment. Before you start the qualifying process you should carefully consider information provided by the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) to see whether you will be able to get the necessary visas and work permits.
Overseas pharmacist's assessment programme:
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The Overseas pharmacists' assessment programme (OSPAP) is a postgraduate diploma that is undertaken as the first part of the route to registration required by those who have qualified as a pharmacist from outside of the EEA. It is a one-year course designed to ensure that those who have qualified overseas receive the appropriate education and training to prepare them for UK practice and entry to pre-registration training.
Entry requirements
The OSPAP course is available to those who hold a pharmacy qualification gained overseas and are registered, or eligible to register, as pharmacists in their country of qualification.
Providers of GPhC accredited OSPAP courses:
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Aston University (Birmingham)
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University of Brighton
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Kingston University
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Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)
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University of Sunderland
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University of Hertfordshire (provisionally accredited)
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If you want to work in the UK as a pharmacist you will need to undertake the OSPAP course and meet the requirements set by the GPhC, which includes work-based training and a registration exam. You will not be able to call yourself a pharmacist without registering with the GPhC.
In order to work within academia in UK Schools of Pharmacy there are a number of routes.
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1. Undertaking a PhD will allow you to become a research academic within the UK.
Without pharmacist status except pharmacy practice you can always teach all the other subjects, including pharmacology, therapeutics, etc. So no, you don't need the OSPAP to go into academia.
2. Doing split roles between hospital and community – by being a Teacher Practitioner.
Whilst this doesn't require you to undertake a PhD you will need to be a registered pharmacist and have a few years experience in the hospital sector.
For more information see the (International Information Pack).