[browneyed_girlksk]

Hi,

I'm Canadian registered pharmacist (5 year BSc.(Pharm), one-year post-graduate clinical hospital residency, 2-year PharmD) and although I love my job in Canada, my husband's work demands that we'll likely be headed to the UK in the near future.

The licencing requirements are discouraging to say the least. Am I the only one who thinks this mandatory OSPAP business is a little ridiculous? I fully understand the rational for pre-registration training (given legislative, and health system differences - albeit the system and scope of pharmacy practice are remarkably similar between Canada and the UK), but it seems odd that any regulatory authority would rather assume ALL foreign-trained pharmacists lack competency to practice as pharmacists and require "upgrading" rather than allowing them to prove whether or not that is in fact the case (particulary when pharmacy continues to be a shortage occupation in most countries). An OSPAP is a great idea actually, but shouldn't it be reserved for persons who are unable to pass the licensing exams? I understand the need for the public to be confident that professionals are qualified to do their jobs, but its hard to look at this as a requirement that is in the best interests of patient safety when EU nationals with EU qualification (no matter the EU country) are exempt and automatically considered qualified to practice in the UK.

I'd be interested in hearing about the experiences of pharmacists who've taken the OSPAP so far and whether they thought it was worth the time and expense. If I have to do the OSPAP, I hope that it provides additional training specially focussed on UK specific issues in practice. I would be severely disappointed if it was just a rehash of the pharmacology, therapeutics, kinetics etc. that I know already. If you had the opportunity to do over, would you do it again, or consider switching careers completely (which sadly, I am...).

Thanks - sorry, don't mean to rant - just a bit frustrated with the whole situation. Any word on whether the current overseas licensing requirements will change, or shall I expect the requirements to remain the same for the foreseeable future?