Who is Eligible to Become a Registered Pharmacist in Ireland?
The candidates seeking registration in Ireland should meet the following requirements.
- A 5-year pharmacy degree with 4 years academic + 1 year practical training OR 4 ½ years academic + 6 months practical training (PharmD in the Indian scenario).
- Registration as a pharmacist from the concerned authority in your home or any other country.
Steps to Become a Registered Pharmacist in Ireland
There are five important steps that you should take to start your pharmacy practice in Ireland as an international pharmacist.
Application for verification
This is the stage where you have to fill out an application form and submit certain documents and get them verified before you proceed. This stage will ensure your eligibility to start the process of registration. The documents required are as listed below.
- Degree and transcript
- Certificate of good standing
- Valid passport and government ID proof
- Passport sized photograph
- Registration certificate
Once the verification is successful, the PSI will update you with an exam date.
PSI Equivalence Exam
The PSIi Equivalence Exam is the next step in this journey. This exam is conducted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to determine if the international pharmacists are fit to enter the pharmacy field in Ireland.
If you are from a country outside the European Union, this exam is mandatory. This exam has two parts.
- Multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
- Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
Adaptation
After you clear the PSI equivalence exam, you have to complete your adaptation. The adaptation is something equivalent to an internship. Based on the score of your PSI Equivalence examination, your period of adaptation will be determined. The adaptation period can range from six months to 3 years.
English Proficiency
To practise pharmacy in Ireland, you will have to communicate in English. Before you get registered as a pharmacist in Ireland, it is important that you prove your English proficiency by taking a test such as the:
Professional Registration Exam (PRE)
By the time you reach the fifth step in this journey, you will have completed your adaptation and English proficiency successfully. After this is done, you will have to take one more important exam. It is called the professional registration exam (PRE). This exam will be taken by every pharmacist aiming to get registered in Ireland, including candidates from Ireland, European countries, or any other country. Successfully clearing this exam indicates complete registration as a pharmacist in Ireland.
Why Ireland?
There are many reasons why you should consider Ireland as your pharmacy career destination. The average annual salary of a registered pharmacist in Ireland is €74,929. Apart from the lucrative salary, you can get global recognition. Registration in Ireland can make way for registration in other European countries as well. You will also be exposed to opportunities for professional growth, specialisations and upskilling.
Conclusion
Pursuing pharmacy in Ireland offers plenty of opportunities, a thriving industry, a world-class healthcare environment, competitive salaries and much more.
With proper planning, guidance, and thorough preparation, your dream of migrating to Ireland as a pharmacist can be turned into a reality.
To make sure that you have everything you need to realise this dream, Academically will hold your hand.
