Working In Australia

[newby82]

Hello people. I'm currently doing my pre-reg and am hoping in the future to travel to Oz or New Zealand to work (and for a holiday as well). I never took a gap year and have always wanted to travel. Has anyone else worked down under? What are your experiences? I realise there are a few more exams to take to get registered there than there used to be, but I think the extra effort will be worth it. Its got to be an improvement on the Midlands. Surfing before work, cant wait!

[womble]

Hmm where to start... Go for it!
Cant tell you anything about working in pharmacy in OZ, but in NZ it is the same as here yet TOTALLY different! :-)
For a start basically all the pharmacies are privately owned by Pharmacists (there has been a reshuffle of the ownership laws but no big chains as yet), so you will working alongside or directly for the owner. And things like stock control, ordering, public relations will all have more emphasis than here.
The wholesalers are as a whole very friendly helpful and obliging whenever you ring with a query.
Drug availability is quite different - PHARMAC - do not subsidise every drug, and there are a lot of drugs available in the UK that will never reach the UK.
Generic substitution by pharmacists is possible - with a signed agreement from the dotor that is within the 2 year limit. Thus if the Dr prescribes say Losec, and the only brand that is subsidised is Pacific Pharmaceuticals equivalent the pharmacy can substitute without contacting the prescriber, of course with the patients OK (not substituting will normally mean that the patient will pay the full cost of a drug)
CHEM and SPEC numbers are available for products that arent subsidised for the masses, but these must be in date and confirmed as correct.
Periods of supply of drugs, and who can prsecribe what is more rigorously controlled (eg GP can only prescribe 6 days of Norfloxacillin but a specialist can prescribe ...days)
Patients cant get a new supply of meds unless 2/3 of their previous supply would have been used without signing the reason why.
In general you will spend a lot more time giving OTC advice, and treatments, as Dr visits arent free. You soon get to read people, and evaluate wether they will fork out for a Dr visit or if you really need to try your darndest to get an OTC cure for them. And as a result of this your advice is more valued than in the UK.
Hope that gives you a bit of background

[Pharmanaut]

You're a fool....

Hello people. I'm currently doing my pre-reg and am hoping in the future to travel to Oz or New Zealand to work (and for a holiday as well). I never took a gap year and have always wanted to travel. Has anyone else worked down under? What are your experiences? I realise there are a few more exams to take to get registered there than there used to be, but I think the extra effort will be worth it. Its got to be an improvement on the Midlands. Surfing before work, cant wait!

You're a fool if you don't do this. <g>
I wish me and Mrs Pharmanaut (also a pharmacist) had done this just after we qualified.
Join Auspharmlist to make some contacts - they are a friendly bunch.

[Zoggite]

Its got to be an improvement on the Midlands.

Anything's got to be an improvement on the Midlands!

[johnep]

the grass is always greener

Looking out of the window in the UK or, a line of waving palms. I know what I would chose if I had my time again. Almost went to Oz in the 60s, but at that time they had a surplus of pharmacists and wanted me to be a chemistry teacher In South Australain housing trust. With the Vietnam war raging I decided better to stay in the UK. What a mistake to make!

If you want to go across the pond I am told currently shortage of 7,000 pharmacists and pay 100-120K $.

However will require to take separate exam for each state, so I have heard. Best to take Canadian registration as they have reciprocal regs with USA.
johnep