Internationalinformationpack 2011
Internationalinformationpack 2011
Thank you for your enquiry about eligibility to undertake the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment
Programme (OSPAP).
The GPhC is the competent authority for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great
Britain. The GPhC is a statutory corporation established under the Pharmacy Order 2010
(Statutory Instrument 2010/231)
The GPhC is governed by a Council of 14 members, including the Chair. The Council has equal
numbers of lay and registrant members who are independently appointed.
Anyone (including EEA pharmacists) who wishes to practice as a pharmacist and use the
restricted title ‘pharmacist’ in Great Britain must be registered with the GPhC.
The Process
Overseas qualified pharmacists should use this information pack to make their application. To
be eligible to apply you must have completed a pharmacy course that is comparable to those in
the UK and must be registered or eligible to register as a pharmacist in your country of
qualification.
When we receive your application, under normal circumstances it will be processed within 5
working days of receipt in the department. Once processing has started you will be advised by
email ( or by post if no email address is available for you) of any documents that are not
acceptable and which documents are still outstanding.
Please note that document status can change during the process on receipt of new documents.
Once the application is considered complete, it will receive a final check in preparation for the
final consideration and decision.
Applications will usually be considered in the last week of every month and applications to be
considered would need to be complete in the second week of that month to allow for the final
check and preparation for consideration.
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Your application will not be considered until ALL of the documents are in our hands and in
order as required by the GPhC.
You will be advised of the decision regarding your eligibility by email ( or post if no email address
is available for you) within 5 working days of the final consideration. If you are considered to be
eligible to make an application to join the OSPAP, you will be provided with a form to list in
order of preference, the universities you wish to attend. You are required to return this form to
the international applications department together with a certified recent photograph of
yourself for each university you have listed plus one for the GPhC to hold on file ( usually 6 in
total).
The preference form will be sent on to the OSPAP providers you have listed on your form
together with a letter from this Society. You should then receive information from the providers.
The OSPAP starts in September / October each year. Please send in your application as early as
possible to allow time for errors or omissions to be corrected. We may have to contact your
university for further information and this can take a long time. Some providers places are filled
very early in the year and you should make your application as soon as you are ready to have
the best chance of obtaining a place with your first choice provider.
The decision that you are eligible to apply for the OSPAP usually allows you 2 academic years
from the date of decision to start the programme. (eg if considered before September 2011 the
dates for you to start would be September 2011 or September 2012).
There are a number of stages in the application procedure which are contained in this pack.
You should carefully read the WHOLE pack before starting the application process.
You will find a checklist for the documents you have to provide included in the pack. It is
strongly recommended that you make use of this checklist when submitting documents to the
GPhC. Please note this is for your use and should not be sent in with your application.
If your degree is determined to be comparable to the Bachelor degree with adequate pharmacy
content you should be considered eligible to apply for the OSPAP as a first step towards
registration as a pharmacist.
The steps following the successful completion of the OSPAP are as follows:
Complete 12 months preregistration training. This will be completed under the same
terms and conditions as required of UK MPharm graduates
www.pharmacyregulation.org
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NB: You are required to register within 4 years of starting your OSPAP.
Alternatively, if your degree is not comparable to a UK Bachelor degree or if you have provided
your academic transcript you may be required to attend for interview at the GPhC in London.
The Interview:
All interviews are held at the GPhC Head Office in Lambeth Road, London.
If you are required to attend for interview you will be given as much notice as possible of your
appointment date and time. You will be required to attend for interview within 18 months of
the notification letter. If you do not, you will be required to make a new application.
The interview is intended to allow you to demonstrate your pharmacy knowledge by responses
to questions posed. The interview will encompass the following:
If during the interview you cannot satisfy the Panel as to your abilities, you may be considered
unsuitable to apply for the OSPAP and required to complete a 4 yr UK pharmacy degree course,
12 months preregistration training and pass the GPhC registration assessment to be able to
register as a pharmacist.
When you attend for interview you will be provided with the main questions that will be put to
you during the interview and allowed 30 minutes of preparation time before the interview. You
will be provided with a copy of the Medicines Ethics and Practice Guide (MEP) with your
interview appointment letter. The British National Formulary (BNF) and MEP will be available to
you during the preparation time and also during the interview.
There is no appeal against the Panel’s decision and you will not be granted a second interview
without making a new application unless there are exceptional circumstances.
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If you want an acknowledgement of receipt of your initial application please include a
stamped self addressed envelope or postcard with your with your application. This will
be posted on receipt of your application in the international department.
To help us process your application as quickly as possible, please check your documents
very carefully to make sure you have provided all that is required and in the format
required (eg certified copy or original document). We recommend that you make use of
the checklist provided in the information pack.
If we need to contact you we will use the email and postal address that you enter on
your questionnaire so it is important to make sure these details are up to date, accurate
and legible. You MUST advise us of any change of contact details as soon as possible. If
possible you should provide a UK contact address.
We would advise you to send your application by some form of delivery that requires a
signature by the GPhC. Please ensure you address your envelope / package to
International applications.
Please note that even though post may have been signed into the building, it does not
necessarily mean that it has been received in the international department.
1.Names
Your documents may have variations of your names. To complete your application you MUST
provide official documentation or a sworn declaration as follows to verify any name changes or
variations.
Please note the newspaper announcements or declarations made by persons other than
yourself are NOT acceptable.
2. Certified copies
The GPhC requires a certified copy to be presented as follows:
Signed dated and stamped by a UK registered solicitor or legal equivalent in the country
where you are.
NB. If you apply with a UK address you will be expected to provide documents certified by a
solicitor licenced to practice in the UK.
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3. Translations
Any document that is not provided in the English language MUST be accompanied by a
translation as follows:
All certifications and ink stamps on the original document must also be translated
The translator must put their business stamp on each document translated and sign and
date the statement “ this is a true and accurate translation” and attach the translation
to the original language document or provide a list of the documents translated.
4. Direct documents
The GPhC requires that certain documents are sent directly from the issuing body / person. If
these documents are considered to have been supplied via yourself or any other third party they
will be rejected and you will be required to arrange for new documents to provided in the
correct manner.
5. Inability to provide documents
In general, your application will not be considered for eligibility until all of the required
documents have been received and considered acceptable. If you cannot supply any documents
required you should provide a written explanation of why this situation has arisen. If your
explanation is accepted you will be advised of how to proceed and what alternative documents
may be considered.
6. Data protection
The GPhC is a data controller registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. The GPhC
makes use of personal data to support its work as the regulatory body for pharmacists,
pharmacy technicians and retail pharmacy premises in Great Britain. Data may be shared with
third parties in pursuance of the GPhC’s statutory aims, objectives, powers and responsibilities
under the Pharmacy Order 2010, the rules made under the Order and other legislation.
Personal data may be processed for purposes including (but not limited to) updating the
register, administering and maintaining registration, processing complaints, compiling statistics
and keeping stakeholders updated with information about the GPhC . Please note that the
GPhC will not share your personal data on a commercial basis with any third party.
7. The GPhC reserves the right to request additional documents at any time during the
application process.
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Documents required from the applicant:
You MUST supply a satisfactory English language test result with your initial application. The
GPhC only accepts IELTS and requires a level of a minimum of 7 in every category of the same
sitting of the academic IELTS . The IELTS result is valid for 2 years from the date of the test.
Your IELTS result must be valid until your application is complete and considered for eligibility.
If we do not hold a satisfactory IELTS result on file for you when we receive your application
or you do not include one with your application WE WILL RETURN YOUR APPLICATION
IMMEDIATELY.
Please ensure that you request the IELTS test centre to send a result form to International
applications GPhC, 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT by using the appropriate section on
the IELTS application form.
You will need an original test result form when you apply to other organisations and the
international department will not give you the original IELTS result form provided by the test
centre.
If you have used a document other than your current passport as identification for the IELTS test
you should include a certified copy of that document in your application.
To obtain further information you may contact the IELTS Information Centre Line by telephone:
0161 957 7755 (UK) by email: [email protected] or visit their website at
www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ielts
Please note:
The only exemption from the IELTS requirement at application stage is if you are an EEA (Non
British) passport holder.
If you are an EEA (Non British) passport holder you will be required to provide a valid IELTS
result of the same level ( a minimum of 7 in every category of the same academic test) to the
OSPAP providers before you can start the programme. There are NO exceptions.
2. Degree Certificate
You must supply your original degree certificate. After verification the GPhC will return this to
you by recorded delivery post to a UK address or by courier if you are overseas. The GPhC will
hold a copy on file.
This must be your FULL certificate not the provisional. If your university has not issued your full
certificate at the time of your application you must request the University to write directly to
the GPhC confirming that certificates have not yet been issued and dates when they will be.
Please note that if you have not provided your original full certificate by the time you have
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completed preregistration training and passed the registration assessment, it will delay your
final registration.
If you have been awarded further qualifications such as a Masters degree you can send a
certified copy of that certificate and it will be included in your application. It will not make any
difference to your route to the register.
3. Passport
You must initially supply a certified copy of your passport identity page ( including the
photograph). However, before you start the OSPAP course you will be required to make an
appointment for your original passport to be verified at the GPhC in London.
Please note that you do not have to include all the blank pages of your passport in the copy. We
need to see the identification pages, any validity extension page and your current visa.
4. Completed questionnaire
Include a legible email address where possible. This will enhance the communication
process
‘Maiden’ name is for married females to enter their pre marriage surname
5. CV
Ensure you:
Include all your educational qualification and work experience ( even non-pharmacy).
Include the FULL address for your educational bodies and your employments
Ensure the whole period from when you qualified as a pharmacist is included in your CV
dates and that your CV is up to date. If not working for any more than 3 months, please
enter those dates in sequence on your CV. Please ensure you make accurate
representation of your job title during your employments and a brief summary of your
role within that employment. If you have been permitted by law to work as a
pharmacist before registration in any country you should ensure that you describe that
as preregistration employment. Your CV and documents will be carefully checked to
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ensure all the information is the same. Any differences will have to be addressed and
will delay the completion of your application.
6. Photographs
You must supply 2 recent passport style photographs certified on the back as follows:
The signature of the UK registered solicitor (or equivalent legal witness in the
country where you are) who witnesses your statutory declaration, and date
Signature of legal
witness of your statutory
declaration & date
7. Application Fee
Please note your application will be returned to you immediately on receipt if you do not
include the application fee.
The current application fee is £687 (subject to yearly review) payable to the General
Pharmaceutical Council. The fee can be paid by the following means:
Bankers draft ( a cheque drawn on your bank but not on your personal account)
GB Postal Order
The GPhC will waive the fee for those seeking grant of asylum at the time of the initial
application
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8. Certified copy of your birth certificate
The copy of your birth certificate should be certified as a true copy of the original by a solicitor
(English Law) or the legal equivalent in the country where you are.
You should complete declaration A of the statutory declaration enclosed in the information pack
if either of the following applies:
Your birth was not registered within 1 year of your actual birth.
9.Change of name
If you have changed your name from that on your birth certificate you should complete
declaration B of the statutory declaration enclosed in the information pack. Please see 9a if your
name changed due to marriage / civil partnership
If you have changed your name through marriage / civil partnership and wish to register in your
new name you should provide a certified copy of your marriage / civil partnership certificate
instead of completing declaration B.
You are advised to send your application by a form of delivery that requires a signature on
receipt. Please ensure you address your envelopes to International Applications.
Please note that post may have been signed into the building but has not necessarily been
received in the International Application department.
Please Note:
International Applications
General Pharmaceutical Council
129 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7BT
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Documents to be supplied DIRECTLY to the GPhC
The following documents should be sent from the issuing body (university, pharmacy council,
referee) DIRECTLY to the GPhC. They should not be sent via the applicant or any other third
party. If the GPhC considers this to be the case, the documents will be rejected and
replacements will have to be provided.
1. Academic Transcript
You must request a full transcript of your academic record for your pharmacy qualification. This
must be certified by the relevant officer at the university or academic body. The GPhC will check
the information in the academic transcript with the information provided by the applicant. Any
discrepancies will be brought to the attention of the issuing body and an explanation for the
differences will be required.
You must request a letter from the regulatory authority or body that grants your licence in your
country of qualification. This letter should state that you are registered or eligible to register and
that you are in good standing with that authority and no adverse information is known about
you. This letter must also confirm when and where you obtained your degree in pharmacy, your
date of birth and your registered address.
You will also be required to provide a letter confirming your good standing from any pharmacy
governing body under which you have worked in the 5 years immediately prior to your
application.
3. References
You must arrange for a minimum of 2 references to be supplied from your country of
qualification in support of your application. One must be from your current or most recent
employer in your country of qualification (internships / placements included) and the other
should be from a professional such as your university tutor or previous employer. If you are or
have been employed in the UK / studying in the UK you must also supply a reference from your
UK employer / tutor. If you have been working in a pharmacy it must be from your supervising
pharmacist.
Reference must:
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Be issued in the name in which you are registered in your country of qualification(
unless any change of name documents supersede this)
Any references that do not meet the criteria will not be accepted and new references will
have to be provided.
International Applications
General Pharmaceutical Council
129 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7BT
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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST:
Applicant Use:
□ Academic Transcript
□ Registration / Good Standing
□ References
We advise you to send your application by some form of delivery that requires a signature on
receipt.Please ensure that you address your post to the INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS department. This
helps to avoid delay in post reaching the department.
Please note that because post has been signed in to the building, it does not necessarily mean it has been
delivered to the department. If you wish make enquiries about receipt of documents please have the
delivery reference and date and time of delivery with you to assist us in checking receipt.
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OSPAP DECISIONS
The GPhC will consider your application and decide your eligibility to apply for the
OSPAP. You will be advised of the decision within 5 working days of your application
being considered. The letter will be sent to you by email ( or post if no email address is
available for you). You should ensure that you carefully read all the enclosures sent with
your decision letter. It contains important information regarding your preregistration
training.
Please send in your application as soon as you are ready. If your application is received
after July you may not be able to obtain a place at your first choice university. If there
are issues with your documents you may be delayed in applying for the OSPAP.
If you are considered eligible to attend the OSPAP your will be sent a form to complete
stating your preferred universities in descending order. This form MUST be completed
and returned to International Applications with a certified copy of your current VISA
(NOT PASSPORT) and 6 passport style photographs certified as a true likeness by a
solicitor ( English Law) or the equivalent legal witness in the country where you are. The
form should be stamped with their business stamp.
Once the form and photographs are received in the office they will be sent on to the
universities with a supporting letter. All communication regarding the OSPAP should
then be between you and the universities.
The OSPAP starts in September / October each year and covers one academic year.
Please note that there is a charge for the OSPAP and you should also consider your living
expenses while on the OSPAP.
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All applications considered by the GPhC must include the International English Language
Test System Report - (IELTS) certificate.
You must have achieved a minimum score of Academic Level 7 in each of the test
parameters - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
English Language Competency tests are conducted by the University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate and by The British Council.
To obtain further information you may contact the IELTS - Information Centre Line:
By telephone: 0161 957 7755 (UK)
By email: [email protected]
Or visit their web site at: www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ielts.htm
Your application will not be accepted until you have passed the IELTS at the required
standard and have submitted the test certificate together with all the other relevant
documents as requested in the information pack provided by The Society.
If you are an EEA ( non-British ) passport holder you are not required to provide an
IELTS with your application for eligibility to apply for the OSPAP. You will be required to
provide a valid IELTS result of the same level to the OSPAP providers. There are NO
exceptions.
January 2011
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QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE OVERSEAS PHARMACISTS ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (OSPAP).
1.1
Title: Mr □ Mrs □ Miss □ Ms □ Other □(please state)
1.2
Surname(s): ________________________________________________________________
Forename(s): ________________________________________________________________
1.31.3 1.3
Home Address: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
UK contact
Address: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
1.4
Date of Birth:____________________________ Place of Birth:__________________________
1.5
Nationality: ____________________________________________________________________
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1.6
1.7
____________________________________________________________________________
Registration number:____________________________________________________________
Give details of any other registration you hold with a regulatory body:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
1.8
1.9
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2.0 Declaration by applicant
I declare that the information that I have provided to the GPhC in my application for OSPAP eligibility is
true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature:____________________________________________ Date______________________
In making this application for eligibility to apply for the OSPAP I agree that:
The GPhC may make any enquiries it considers relevant and appropriate to establish an
applicant’s eligibility to apply for the OSPAP
The GPhC may discuss or disclose any personal or sensitive data that it holds about an
applicant with referees, educational establishments, professional regulatory and
representative bodies, government departments, law enforcement or immigration agencies
and any other third party if the GPhC considers it to be necessary and appropriate
At the application stage for eligibility for the OSPAP the GPhC does not make any
assessment of an applicant’s fitness to practise with respects to their good character and/or
health.
In accepting that an applicant is eligible to apply for the OSPAP the GPhC does not provide
any assurances, undertakings or guarantees to the applicant that should they subsequently
apply for registration that they will be registered with the GPhC
Signature:____________________________________________ Date____________________
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STATUTORY DECLARATION
You must complete whichever declaration(s) on this side of this form are applicable.
You must complete BOTH boxes on the other side of this form.
First names……………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………….
Family names……………………………………………………………………..………………………………………..
Do solemnly declare to the best of my knowledge and belief that I was given the name:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
First names……………………………………………………………………..……………
Family names……………………………………………………………………..…………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
Do solemnly and sincerely declare that since …………………………….( day, month, year)
I have used and in the future will be known by the name of:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(insert full name you are using now – this must be identical to the name on your
application for registration)
You MUST complete Section C (overleaf) of this declaration.
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DECLARATION C:
I……………………………………………………………………………………………………..dob………………………
(Name in full)
Of………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(Home address)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am the person referred to in the following
documents given in support of my application for registration with the General
Pharmaceutical Council (Please tick the box of each document supplied)
□ Degree Certificate □ IELTS result form (min of 7 in every category)
□ Current CV □ birth certificate /
□ Certified copy of marriage certificate (female applicants)
□ Passport □ Completed questionnaire
And I make the declaration(s) contained in this document conscientiously believing the
same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory declaration Act 1835.
Signed:…………………………………………………………………………………………
Date:……………………………………………………………………………………………
Declared at ………………………………………………………………….
(full address of solicitor)
……………………………………………………………
This…………..day……………………..of………………………….20……
Before me:……………………………………………………………………
(Print Name)
Signed:………………………………………………………………………..
January 2011
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OVERSEAS PHARMACISTS ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME PROVIDERS.
August 2010