In 2011, the PDA organised a series of conferences throughout the whole of the UK to consider whether the Schools of Pharmacy were producing too many pharmacists. These events which were attended by many pharmacists alerted the wider profession as to the looming crisis and together with the involvement of other pharmacy organisations, a coalition for change was established.
Subsequently, strong collective representations were made to government. It is now accepted that an oversupply crisis situation is on the horizon and that many thousands of pharmacy graduates face the possibility of never registering because there are not enough pre-reg training placements available. Allowing universities to expand and recruit by letting market forces dictate has been one of the major factors that has created this situation. Currently, this issue is already causing damage to the stability of employment for qualified pharmacists.
Consequently, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) instigated a public consultation, which concluded on November 15th 2013 and the PDA has submitted its proposals.
In summary the PDA position is that:
- The numbers of students admitted to each School of Pharmacy should be reduced and controlled centrally.
- NHS England must create a pharmacy workforce plan outlining the numbers of pharmacists that will be needed in the future and this workforce plan needs to inform the number of students that should be admitted to Schools of Pharmacy. However, to do this, NHS England must first generate a solid narrative on the future role for pharmacists. At this time, no such NHS England narrative exists.
- GPhC must do more to raise standards in Schools of Pharmacy. In particular, the perception held by some Schools of Pharmacy that pharmacy is a science and not a healthcare course must be addressed.
- Whilst in pre-reg training placements, students should not be employed by their trainers, but should receive NHS bursaries.
- The numbers of pre-reg training places should not be left to market forces to decide but should be made a condition of holding NHS contracts and decided upon a quota basis.
- Pre-reg training should also be undertaken in the primary care pharmacy setting.
- For the full PDA response to the HEFCE consultation click here
- PDA’s 7 point plan for balancing the supply and demand for pharmacists click here
- Read more about the PDA’s proposals for new roles for pharmacists in England and Scotland
We will continue to engage the government and the educational funding authorities and we will also continue working towards the creation of new roles to ensure that the right balance between supply and demand for qualified pharmacists can be re-established.