Building an international career rarely follows a predictable path. It takes determination to stay focused when professional goals are delayed, unfamiliar requirements stand in the way, and the next step remains uncertain.
Ashly, a pharmacy graduate from Kerala, India, knows this journey firsthand. After submitting her application for pharmacist registration in Ireland in August 2024, she waited nearly two years before sitting the required examinations in 2026. She passed both the multiple-choice examination (MCQ) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), marking a significant milestone towards her ambition of becoming a registered pharmacist in Ireland.
In this blog, we are seeking inspiration from a tete-a-tete between Dr. Akram Ahmad (B.Pharm, Pharm.D, PhD, University of Sydney) and Ashly (PSI-qualified candidate). She shares her preparation strategy, the challenges she faced and the lessons she hopes other Indian pharmacists will learn from her experience.
How Indian Pharmacy Graduate Passed the PSI MCQ and OSCE Exams
Ashly began her professional journey after completing her pharmacy education in Kerala. She worked for six months as a pharmacology lecturer at a dental college before moving to Ireland.
Her ambition remained the same after relocating: she wanted to work as a pharmacist. Rather than immediately enrolling in another course, she researched the registration process herself. She visited the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) website and contacted seniors from her college who had already cleared the examination.
Their advice helped her understand that the process was demanding and competitive. She also realised that her Indian pharmacy qualification would need to undergo formal recognition before she could practise as a registered pharmacist in Ireland.
Ashly submitted her application in August 2024. However, changes to the process meant she had to wait considerably longer than expected before taking the examination. Such delays can be difficult for internationally trained professionals. They must continue planning their careers without always knowing exactly when the next stage will begin.
Ashly used the waiting period to strengthen her preparation. She attended classes, worked through the study materials and built her own revision notes. Her story is a reminder that an international career transition is not always a straight line. Progress sometimes means preparing consistently while waiting for circumstances to move forward.
Why Indian Pharmacists Choose to Work in Ireland
Ashly’s motivation was not limited to earning a qualification recognised in another country. She was also interested in the professional responsibilities that come with working as a pharmacist in Ireland.
During the interview, she explained the distinction between pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in her workplace.
As a pharmacy technician, she handles tasks such as printing prescription labels, retrieving medicines from shelves and organising prescriptions using the pharmacy’s electronic systems.
The pharmacist has a different level of responsibility. According to Ashly, the pharmacist checks prescriptions, reviews dosage and clinical information, consults relevant references such as the British National Formulary (BNF) and the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC), and counsels patients on their medicines.
When a prescription raises concerns, the pharmacist can contact the general practitioner (GP) to discuss the issue and determine the appropriate action.
Ashly also highlighted the collaborative working relationship between pharmacists and GPs. In her experience, pharmacists can raise concerns and contribute their professional judgement rather than simply following instructions without discussion.
This professional environment strengthened her determination to complete the registration process.
For Indian pharmacists considering Ireland, her experience highlights an important point: passing the examination is not simply about meeting an academic requirement. It is about demonstrating that your knowledge and practical skills meet the standards expected of a pharmacist in Ireland.
Where to Find PSI Exam Coaching in Ireland for Indian Pharmacists?
Ashly first learned about the registration pathway through the PSI website and conversations with experienced pharmacists. While browsing Instagram, she then came across an advertisement for Academically Global. She contacted the helpful support team to understand the available preparation support.
Initially, she was unfamiliar with the organisation and wanted reassurance before committing to a course. She contacted an Indian pharmacist who had already passed the examination and received a positive recommendation.
That conversation helped her feel more confident about getting started.
Ashly subsequently attended Academically’s classes and relied heavily on its teaching materials, recorded sessions and subject explanations throughout her preparation.
She specifically appreciated the trainers who helped her understand pharmaceutical calculations and other examination topics. She mentioned Sohil, Kulwinder, Julia and Hannah, whose teaching she found helpful.
The experience mattered because she needed more than a collection of study materials. She needed to understand unfamiliar question formats, identify her weaker areas and revisit difficult concepts when necessary.
Candidates who are preparing for the PSI Pharmacy Equivalence Exam (TCQR) with Academically Global, get benefitted by 120 hours of live online training, recorded classes, 3,000+ practice questions, study handouts, mock tests, a final PSI grand test and one-to-one feedback sessions from globally licensed pharmacists who are settled in Ireland, Australia and other countries.
These resources can support a structured preparation routine, particularly for candidates who need to revisit complex calculations or fit studying around work.
The right preparation plan should complement the official PSI guidance and the examination materials issued to candidates. No course can guarantee a passing result, but structured teaching and consistent practice can help candidates prepare more systematically.
Understanding the PSI Registration Pathway for Indian Pharmacists
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland regulates the pharmacy profession in Ireland. Pharmacists who qualified outside the European Union and European Economic Area generally need to have their qualifications recognised through the Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) process.
The process involves qualification recognition first, followed by an application for registration. The outcome of the qualification assessment determines the next steps.
According to the official PSI guidance for qualifications obtained outside the EU, the process broadly involves the following stages.
Stage 1: Submit the TCQR application.
Applicants submit the prescribed forms and supporting documents. These can include identity documents, pharmacy qualification records, academic transcripts, programme information, professional status documents and evidence of relevant training or experience. Applicants should follow the current application guide to confirm the exact requirements for their circumstances.
Stage 2: Undergo a holistic assessment.
The PSI arranges an assessment of the applicant’s education, training and other relevant information to determine whether the qualification is appropriate for practice in Ireland.
The assessment determines the next step. Applicants whose qualifications are considered equivalent may follow Path A. If deficiencies are identified, they may be required to follow Path B and complete the examination components specified for them.
Stage 3: Complete the required examination, where applicable.
The examination may include an MCQ examination, an OSCE, or both. Candidates should not assume that every applicant will be required to sit both components; the requirements depend on the individual assessment outcome.
Stage 4: Obtain qualification recognition and apply for registration.
After successfully completing all required stages, applicants can proceed towards first-time registration with the PSI. They must also satisfy the applicable language requirements.
For Ashly, the journey involved both the MCQ and OSCE. Her experience is particularly useful for candidates who receive the same examination requirements, although the individual assessment outcome must always determine a candidate’s route.
PSI Exam Pattern for Pharmacists: MCQ, Calculations and OSCE
The current PSI TCQR examination guidance describes two main components. Ashly’s experience offers a practical picture of what candidates may encounter when required to complete both.
MCQ: Pharmaceutical calculations and applied pharmacy practice
The MCQ examination has two independently assessed parts.
| Component | What it assesses |
| Part A | Pharmaceutical calculations |
| Part B | Applied pharmacy practice, including relevant clinical and professional knowledge |
Both parts must be passed independently when required. A strong result in one does not compensate for failing the other. For Ashly, pharmaceutical calculations were the most difficult component.
She explained that calculations which seem convenient in everyday pharmacy practice can become considerably more challenging in an examination setting. Questions may contain several pieces of information, and candidates must identify which details are relevant before working towards an answer.
She recalled struggling to finish the calculation section within the allotted time. This experience taught her how important it is to practise not only for accuracy but also for speed.
Applied pharmacy practice was more manageable for her. She attributed her preparation in this area to reviewing the PSI guidelines, Irish pharmaceutical laws, Health Service Executive (HSE) resources and other examination materials.
Her experience highlights the need to prepare for both components rather than concentrating exclusively on topics that feel familiar.
OSCE: Applying knowledge in practical situations
The OSCE assesses practical and professional competence through structured scenarios.
In her examination, Ashly encountered 12 stations. She described scenarios involving patient counselling, inhaler techniques, nasal sprays, insulin, high-tech medicines and communication with a GP about a controlled-drug prescription.
Some stations required her to explain how a medicine should be used or stored. Others tested her ability to respond to a professional situation and communicate appropriately.
These tasks require more than memorising facts. Candidates must listen carefully, communicate clearly, apply their knowledge and demonstrate sound professional judgement under time pressure.
Ashly emphasised the value of practising realistic situations, including one-to-one OSCE sessions. The precise format and requirements should be checked against the current PSI and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) examination guidance, which may be updated.
PSI Exam Preparation Strategy for Aspirants Appearing in 2027
Ashly’s success was supported by a study routine that changed as her circumstances changed.
She created her own notes
Rather than relying entirely on presentation slides, Ashly made her own notes from the classes. This helped her organise information in a format she found easier to revise. During her final preparation period, the notes became a practical revision resource that allowed her to revisit important concepts without repeatedly reviewing every lecture from the beginning.
She practised calculations every day
Ashly treated pharmaceutical calculations as a priority.
She regularly solved practice questions and revisited the concepts behind her mistakes. She also learned to look beyond the apparent simplicity of a calculation and pay attention to how information was presented.
Her advice is especially relevant to candidates who feel comfortable with basic calculations but have difficulty answering longer, application-based questions.
Understanding the underlying method matters. So does practising until the method can be applied accurately within a time limit.
She studied PSI and HSE guidance
Ashly spent time reviewing Irish pharmacy laws, PSI guidelines and HSE resources.
This helped her understand the professional and regulatory environment in which a pharmacist in Ireland works.
Candidates should use these official resources alongside their course materials rather than assuming that general pharmacy knowledge alone will be sufficient.
She returned to recorded classes when needed
When Ashly encountered a difficult concept, she revisited the relevant recorded lecture.
This made it easier to clarify doubts while progressing through her revision plan.
For working professionals, recorded learning can be particularly useful because it allows difficult topics to be reviewed without requiring attendance at another live session.
She adapted her routine around full-time work
During an earlier period when she had more time available, Ashly studied for approximately three to four hours daily.
Later, while working full-time from 9 am to 6 pm, she generally studied for around two hours after work. She focused on revising her notes, revisiting recorded classes when necessary and solving approximately 20 to 40 calculation questions each day.
Her experience shows why preparation plans should be realistic. The goal is not simply to study for as many hours as possible. It is to make those hours productive and sustainable.
Common Mistakes Pharmacists Should Avoid While Preparing for PSI Exam
One of Ashly’s most useful recommendations is also one of the simplest: do not rush through the question.
She explained that some MCQs include more information than candidates need. Several answer options may look similar, making it easy to select an answer before fully understanding the question.
Her advice for the PSI exam is to:
- Read each question carefully and identify the information relevant to the problem.
- Review all the answer options before making a selection.
- Double-check calculations and units where appropriate.
- Practise under timed conditions instead of focusing only on untimed accuracy.
- Prepare for the OSCE through realistic counselling and communication practice.
- Keep revising official guidance and professional requirements.
Ashly’s own difficulty completing the calculation section is a reminder that time management needs deliberate preparation.
Candidates should track their performance during mock tests, identify recurring mistakes and practise allocating their time more effectively. The aim is to combine a sound understanding of pharmacy with the ability to demonstrate that understanding under examination conditions.
What Can Indian Pharmacists Learn from Ashly’s PSI Exam Success?
Ashly’s experience offers several lessons for professionals preparing for the PSI exam.
- Start with the official pathway. Understand the TCQR process and wait for your individual assessment outcome before assuming which examination components you must complete.
- Build your preparation around the examination requirements. Give pharmaceutical calculations, applied pharmacy practice and OSCE skills the attention required by your assessment.
- Use a consistent revision system. Personalised notes, recorded lessons and regular question practice can make revision more manageable.
- Understand Irish pharmacy practice. Review the applicable professional guidance, legal requirements and patient-safety expectations rather than relying solely on what you learned during your original qualification.
- Practise communication as well as clinical knowledge. The OSCE assesses the application of knowledge and professional skills, so candidates should rehearse realistic counselling and communication scenarios.
- Prepare for delays without losing momentum. Ashly’s registration journey took longer than she had expected. Maintaining a useful study routine helped her make progress while waiting.
Pharmacist Salary and Career Opportunities in Ireland for Indian Pharmacists
Ashly also discussed the difference between pharmacy technician and pharmacist salary in Ireland.
Based on her experience and understanding of the employment market, she estimated that pharmacy technicians could earn approximately €14.50 to €20 per hour, depending on experience and the employer. She indicated an annual salary range of around €36,000 to €40,000 before tax.
Internationally trained pharmacists joining the Health Service Executive (HSE) typically commence at the Staff Pharmacist level. While the starting salary generally falls within the low €50,000 range, the precise entry point is determined by three specific factors. Recognised prior experience, the incremental credit awarded upon appointment and placement on the national pay scale.
She noted that pay can differ between independent pharmacies and larger pharmacy groups.
Her wider point was that registration can open up different career possibilities. She explained that registered pharmacists may pursue work in community pharmacy or the pharmaceutical industry, among other healthcare job opportunities, subject to the relevant position and eligibility requirements.
For Indian pharmacists evaluating Ireland, salary should be only one part of the decision. Registration requirements, living expenses, employment opportunities, language proficiency and individual career goals also deserve careful consideration.
To Conclude with...
Ashly’s journey from Kerala to Ireland illustrates the determination required to pursue an international pharmacy career.
From working as a pharmacology lecturer to adapting to a new country, navigating the qualification recognition process and preparing for a challenging examination, she continued working towards the professional goal she had set for herself.
Her success was built on a combination of structured learning, personalised notes, daily calculation practice, official guidance and repeated revision. Just as importantly, she learned to prepare for the practical application of pharmacy knowledge rather than treating the examination as a test of rote learning alone.
For Indian pharmacists considering Ireland, the most useful lesson is to begin with accurate information, understand the individual registration pathway and prepare deliberately for the components required.
A successful international career transition takes time, planning and sustained effort. Ashly’s achievement shows what focused preparation can help a candidate accomplish.