The proposal of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to increase the length of time it takes to get a degree in pharmacy could be a deterrent for students, putting off some of the best talent in the field.

This is the opinion of Nigel Ratcliffe, chair of Pharmacy Schools Council and emeritus professor of pharmacy and head of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Keele.

Professor Ratcliffe told the Pharmaceutical Journal there is no evidence that lengthening the undergraduate degree in pharmacy from four to five years will have any benefits.

In fact, he argues it could make the option of pharmacy education less interesting to those considering a career in it.

“The degree must remain appealing to students,” the professor stated, adding: “If they’re going to have a fifth year, they will lose the salary that they would have received as a pre-registration pharmacist, and they’re going to have another year of fees and maintenance considerations; a decision to take this course would not be taken lightly.”

His opinions come after GPhC published proposals in January 2019 to increase the degree to five years to include academic study and workplace experience.

It stated that this would help prospective pharmacists to have both academic knowledge and practical experience before they embark on a professional career.

Professor Ratclife argues this is not necessary, as students could incorporate workplace experience into their university holidays during the four years of their degree.

This, he argues, would “reach the same objectives without such upheaval”.

Currently, those who want to qualify as a pharmacist have to complete a GPhC accredited Master of Pharmacy degree, which takes four years. After this, they have to undergo one year’s worth of paid pre-registration training in a hospital or community pharmacy.

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