Overseas qualified Pharmacists can work as a Pharmacy Technician in the UK but they are not automatically eligible to register/ work as a Pharmacy Technician. Pharmacy Technician is a protected title and can only be used by those who are registered as Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). In order to register as a Pharmacy Technician, an overseas qualified Pharmacist must complete the Pharmacy Technician Diploma for overseas pharmacists. Upon completion of the Pharmacy Technician Diploma, Overseas qualified Pharmacists are eligible for registration with the GPhC. Upon registration, they can work in the UK.
Foreign Pharmacist working as Pharmacy Technician in UK.
Foreign Pharmacists can only work in UK (as a Pharmacist) after they register with GPhC
Foreign Pharmacists who have qualified outside of the UK or EU are not permitted to practice as Pharmacists in the UK unless they are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). However, to be eligible for registration, foreign Pharmacists must undergo a rigorous process that includes completing the Overseas Pharmacists' Assessment Programme (OSPAP) and passing the pre-registration exams, which typically takes several years.
During this transition period, it is not uncommon for many foreign Pharmacists to work outside the pharmacy industry while preparing for their registration. Unfortunately, until they have passed the required exams and their registration has been accepted by the GPhC, there are no other options for them to return to work in the pharmacy industry.
Overseas Pharmacists working as Pharmacy Assistant (Counter Assistant) in UK
Previously, while completing the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment exams, the only option for overseas qualified Pharmacists to work in a pharmacy environment was to find employment as a Pharmacy Assistant. A Pharmacy Assistant is responsible for supporting Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians by helping to order, prepare, and dispense medicines.
Pharmacy Technician registration in UK for Overseas Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technicians are essential members of the pharmacy profession who assist patients in maximising the benefits of their medication. The roles of Pharmacy Technicians encompass all areas of pharmacy practice, from the purchase and manufacture of medicines to their preparation, supply, and final check. Pharmacy Technicians also support medicines use reviews and administer medicines.
Pharmacy Technicians play a crucial role in both the pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams, interacting with patients and collaborating with other healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care to ensure the safe and effective use of medications. The expertise and skills of Pharmacy Technicians are highly valued, and career paths have been developed in areas such as procurement, medicines information, technical services, clinical services, leadership and management, and education.
If you have any questions, or are looking for support, please feel free to contact us.