As the situation stands, it is projected that the number of pharmacy graduates is already sufficient to, or in excess of, the number of preregistration training places available, although the actuality of this has not yet been assessed. Adding another new school of pharmacy to a system that is potentially already at capacity will only exacerbate this issue. An issue that the current government have decided requires no intervention.
The British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) is concerned that graduates will face increasing difficulties to secure a preregistration training place. A growing number of unsuccessful applicants at each intake is becoming a frightening possibility and one that will further worsen the problem for future cohorts of undergraduates. Out of the 1,872 first-year students the BPSA surveyed in autumn 2014, 94% of them expect to complete their preregistration training within the UK, which is consistent with the results from 2012 and 2013.
The BPSA hopes that there are not other universities who are considering offering an MPharm course until such a time that there is a sufficient number of preregistration training places for the resultant graduates.
Stephen Messham
Public Relations Officer 2014–2015
British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
