Registered in Greece, want to work in the UK

[para4]

Hello everybody and sorry if the topic is similar to an existing one. Well, here is the story...

I received my MPharm degree from a UK Uni in 2009, however I decided to return to my home country, Greece, for my pre-reg year and for the registration exams. After having to study again pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical technology law and other stuff that made me go up the wall since these were nothing but degree topics, I at last obtained the appropriate qualifications to practise the profession.

However, I don't know what you hear there about the condition in Greece, but things are now very VERY bad, and all I can find is work in pharmacies as a employee with a salary of 500 euros- part time. I once dreamt of running my own business at my home village, however the current law keeps this dream away.

What I want to know now is, being registered in Greece, do I need further exams in case I want to return back there to work in Boots for example? OSPAP in only for overseas professionals, isn't it? How are the salaries there, what are the taxes?

Sorry for the length of the post, it was some kind of psychoanalysis this one! :P

Thanks in advance for all the answers

[crit care]

not being an expert on the whole registering in other countries but the fact you have a UK degree may only mean you will need to do just the pre reg over here along with the pre reg exam in order to practice...but that is only an assumption

[Rafael]

all you need to do is book a flight, come over and register with the society. a member of EU country can practice in any EU country without any restrictions.

[grumpy jeff]

I've just seen this thread...
Is it possible to be registered as a pre-reg in Greece, do 6 months there, then 6 months in UK, then registration exams in Cyprus? (this is a query from a friend...)

[johnep]

Theoretically, if we recognise EU pharmacists as equals, then prereg should be possible in any EU country. To do otherwise probably contravenes EU law.
johnep

[hibernia]

Theoretically, if we recognise EU pharmacists as equals, then prereg should be possible in any EU country. To do otherwise probably contravenes EU law.
johnep

I don't think so. You aren't a pharmacist and so don't qualify for free movement until AFTER you have completed your pre-reg and passed the registration exam.

[johnep]

Fair enough. You must be recognised as a pharmacist in the country in which you attended approved pharmaceutical training.
Thus to obtain UK qualification, pre reg must be in UK.
johnep

[grumpy jeff]

not qualifying for free movement until after qualification is very interesting. I checked the directive for pre-reg training and it's not specific on this, only that 6 months training must be done in a public accessible pharmacy (hospital/community). However, as i've not been able to find any info on pre-reg in greece or cyprus I can't get a definitive answer. if its anything like it is here, doing pre-reg in 3 different countries shouldn't be possible but cyprus only asked for proof of employment as a pre-reg in the uk...

[noale21]

HI there,
I am in the very same/ similar situation coming from Germany.
GPhC can accept your EU pharmacist licence, if you can prove that you degree is in agreement with EU/UK regulations, this must include the 1 year pre-reg internship. But having the GPhC licence is one thing, being eligible to get an employment as a pharmacist is another. Most multiples ask for 6 month UK experience, the pre-reg "market" is very crowded and most pharmacists are not happy to provide possibilities for internships. I am even considering working as an ACT...would pay the bills at least!
Good luck!

[Simba]

Hi guys,
I have gone thru this and know it all by heart! If one is a qualified pharmacist (meaning that all pre-reg requirements have been completed) in an EU country, then apply to GPhC. They will screen you and once satisfied you will receive your registration number and thus able to work in the UK market (in theory). In practice..its hard to get into the job market without the work experience that UK pre-reg students gain. look into some induction programs provided by the multiples.
hope this helps