The British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) fully supports the move to a five-year integrated pharmacy degree. We believe that this is essential in order to continue to train pharmacists who are fit for purpose at the point of qualification in a fast-moving and increasingly challenging profession.
At our annual conference in April 2015, the delegation of undergraduate pharmacy students and pre-registration trainees voted to pass a policy motion that the BPSA “believes that the current pre-registration training year should be integrated into the MPharm degree to make a comprehensive five-year course”. It was thought that this approach would lead to better integration of academic and practical elements, aiding understanding and the ability to apply knowledge in practice. It was also believed that this approach would help to improve the quality assurance of training placements and tutors, encouraging a culture of continuous feedback and improvement to benefit the students and the profession as a whole. This format may also provide greater scope for students to experience multiple sectors of practice during their degree studies which we see as a positive step.
There have been some concerns raised around the financial implications that this would have on future pharmacy students, and we will endeavour to continue working with stakeholders to reach the best possible outcome in this area.
We are already working closely with all parties involved in these proposals and will continue to do so.
Lottie Bain
Treasurer 2014–2015
President-elect 2015–2016
British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
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