Community pharmacists no longer in shortage, says MAC
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 17:25
Community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are no longer on the shortage occupation list, the UK Borders Agency Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has confirmed. Only pharmacists working in the NHS or hospitals will now be on the shortage occupation list, which allows non-EU pharmacists and preregistration trainees to obtain UK work visas.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society believes that it, along with community pharmacy employers, should have been consulted about the decision and says it is not unclear how the change to the list will affect the Society’s existing international members or international members in future.
Wendy Harris, deputy registrar and director of regulation, said: “A decision was made rather quickly to take community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians off the shortage occupation list without any consultation with the Society. We are now trying to ascertain exactly what this will mean.
“But there is a worry that this will affect overseas assessment programmes for qualified pharmacists from abroad who wish to work here, along with the 15 per cent of UK pharmacy students who are from overseas and choose to get their degree in Great Britain.”
The MAC is reviewing medical occupations again in autumn 2009, and the Society says it can submit evidence in relation to pharmacists and argue for the reinstatement of other pharmacists, including community pharmacists and preregistration trainees, before the list is reviewed again in September 2009.
Hmm.. this would impact those who wish to practice in uk after 2+2 or even direct entry. Clinical pharmacy is still okay I think. Imagine spending thousands for education and couldn't earn it back..
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