The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7345 p465
16 April 2005

Society summary

Reciprocal registration will end in 2006

The Society’s decision to end its reciprocal registration arrangements with Australia and New Zealand (PJ, 11 October 2003, p524) is to take effect as from noon on 30 June 2006.

As with other overseas applicants, other than those from Northern Ireland and the European Economic Area, pharmacist applications from Australia and New Zealand will thereafter be considered by the Adjudicating Committee, the Council agreed at the April Council meeting. An appropriate amendment to the Society’s Byelaws is to be sought. The withdrawal of the reciprocal registration provisions had been recommended by the Adjudicating Committee on the ground that they could be challenged in the courts, alleging prejudice against other overseas pharmacists, who must pass the registration examination as part of their registration process. In addition, the Department of Health is not keen on reciprocal arrangements.

The reciprocal arrangement for pharmacists from Northern Ireland will continue on the basis that the Belfast pharmacy degree course is accredited jointly by the Society and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, the PSNI’s registration requirements and registration examination are essentially the same as in Britain, medicines legislation is the same and the PSNI’s code of ethics and professional standards are much the same as the Society’s. In addition, pharmacists from Northern Ireland are unable to register under the EEA free movement provisions because Northern Ireland is not a separate member state of the EEA.

When the Council considered the proposed date for ending the agreements, the President said that the recommended date coincided with the academic year and registration cycle in Australia and New Zealand. It also gave more than a year’s notice to anyone in those countries who might be contemplating coming to Britain to take advantage of the current arrangements The President said that the Adjudicating Committee would have the responsibility for setting the requirements for Australia and New Zealand in the future.

The Secretary and Registrar said that the Society had benefited from the experience of the medical profession, which had ended its reciprocity agreements in 2002. She had been to Australia and New Zealand and discussed the proposed new registration procedures.

Asked about resource implications, the Secretary and Registrar said that an increase in applications was expected up to June 2006, but it could be accommodated. After that, the flow of applications was expected to revert to its normal pattern.

The Vice-President asked whether the arrangement for British pharmacists going to Australia and New Zealand would be terminated at the same time.

The Secretary and Registrar said that the Australian and New Zealand professional bodies were considering what their arrangements might be, but they had not indicated that they would end the possibility of UK pharmacists going over there at the moment.