Ireland
Ireland is a country with excellent healthcare, education, and work-life balance that significantly contribute to your quality of life. PharmD graduates from around the world can migrate, practise, and settle in Ireland by clearing the PSI exam. The PSI exam is the registration exam that paves the way towards pharmacy practice in Ireland. The best part about becoming a registered pharmacist in Ireland is that you get to practise in other countries that come under the European Union. The three main pharmacy sectors in Ireland are:
- Community pharmacy
- Hospital pharmacy
- Industrial pharmacy
The top job roles for pharmacists in Ireland are:
- Superintendent pharmacist
- Supervising pharmacist
- Locum pharmacist
- Hospital pharmacist
The PSI exam by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland has two parts. The PSI Equivalence Exam (PSI EE) and the Professional Registration Exam (PRE). The PSI Equivalence Exam can be taken from your home country and is a very feasible option as it helps you save a lot of time, money, and travelling.
Saudi Arabia
Apart from having a high-quality healthcare system, one of the greatest attractions of working as a licensed pharmacist in Saudi Arabia is the tax benefit. The income earned by pharmacists in Saudi Arabia is tax-free and helps you save a lot of money. Licensed pharmacists in Saudi Arabia also land incredible relocation packages and are exposed to great career opportunities. The government of Saudi Arabia is also investing heavily in the healthcare sector as part of Vision 2030. Similar to that of Ireland, the pharmacist registration exam in Saudi Arabia can be taken from your home country. The registration exam is called the SPLE exam, which stands for the Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Examination. This exam is very convenient and cost-effective for aspirants as they need not travel to Saudi Arabia to take it.
United States
The United States is the land of opportunity, not just for pharmacists but also for other healthcare professionals. With the high earning potential and advanced healthcare system, pharmacists from around the world dream of building a career in the United States. The career opportunities are diverse, and there is plenty of scope for professional development.
But unlike the registration exams of Ireland and Saudi Arabia, the US registration exam, NAPLEX, can only be taken from the United States. This is quite difficult for most aspirants as it involves a lot of time, expenses, and travelling.
Conclusion
While the United States offers high salaries and advanced career opportunities for pharmacists, the requirement to travel there for the licensing exam can be a significant drawback. On the other hand, Ireland and Saudi Arabia provide the convenience of taking their respective registration exams from your home country, saving you both time and money. Additionally, both countries offer attractive benefits such as high quality of life and growing healthcare opportunities.
For many PharmD graduates, Ireland and Saudi Arabia might be better choices due to the ease and affordability of the registration process. Consider your personal circumstances and professional goals when choosing the best country to start your pharmacy career.
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