Undergraduate student intakes are not sustainable
As new schools of pharmacy open and student intakes rise, the supply of newly qualified pharmacists significantly outweighs the demand for pharmacists in the workforce, and consequently pre-registration training places. Funding pressures have impacted on how quickly hospitals and community pharmacies can fill posts, and the increased competition for jobs allows employers to be particularly selective in identifying their new recruits.
Proposed workforce impact
- Pharmacy undergraduates are unable to register.
- More newly qualified pharmacists register as pharmacy technicians.
- Newly qualified pharmacists look for other avenues of work e.g. as a chemist or a biologist.
- Limited job availability deters students from undertaking a pharmacy degree.
Sources or references
- http://www.cfwi.org.uk/documents/workforce-risks-and-opportunities-pharmacy
- http://www.bpsa.co.uk/pressreleases/BPSA_Student _Numbers_Discussion_Paper_-_17th_July_2012.pdf
Additional research questions
- Can the current rate of production of newly qualified pharmacists be sustained?
- Should students be guaranteed a job when they qualify?
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
