An article published by Chemist + Druggist reveals that training places for overseas pharmacists (OSPAP) in the UK are currently oversubscribed and will remain so for the next two years. These courses aim to assist foreign pharmacists to meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and work in the UK.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) website states, “all courses starting in 2023 and 2024 are already oversubscribed, due to high demand and applications carried over from last year.” This statement further supports the information reported in the article discussed above, highlighting that the oversubscription of training places for overseas pharmacists in the UK will persist for the next two years.
The report suggests that there are multiple factors behind this oversubscription, including the impact of Brexit, the pandemic, and a shortage of pharmacists in the UK. Brexit is cited as a key factor, leading to an increase in EU pharmacists seeking registration in the UK. The pandemic has also caused significant delays in exams and assessments, leading to a backlog of applications for the training courses.
Moreover, data shows that there has been a significant rise in the number of overseas pharmacists seeking registration with the GPhC. According to the GPhC, there were 6,590 applications for registration from overseas pharmacists in 2020, a significant increase from the 4,210 applications received in 2019. This represents a 56% increase in one year alone.
Despite the oversubscription, the report indicates that the GPhC has no immediate plans to increase the number of training places available. As a result, many foreign pharmacists may have to wait until 2025 to secure a place on the training courses. This is likely to have a significant impact on the recruitment of pharmacists in the UK, as the country faces a shortage of qualified professionals.
In conclusion, the article suggests that the oversubscription of training places for overseas pharmacists in the UK is due to a combination of factors, including Brexit, the pandemic, and a shortage of pharmacists in the country. With the current backlog of applications and the limited number of training places available, it is likely that the oversubscription will continue for the foreseeable future, leading to delays for foreign pharmacists seeking to work in the UK.
Source Article: ‘Oversubscribed’: Training places for overseas pharmacist courses full for next two years
