EEA Standard Information Pack July 13_1

8/12/2019 EEA Standard Information Pack July 13_1

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July 2013

Recognition as an EEA qualified

pharmacist

Information and Application Pack


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July 2013

Information and Application Pack for recognition as an EEAqualified pharmacist

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC):

The GPhC is the competent authority for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain.

The GPhC is a statutory corporation established under the Pharmacy Order 2010 (Statutory

Instrument 2010/231)

The GPhC is governed by a Council of 14 members, including the Chair. The Council has equal

numbers of lay and registrant members who are independently appointed. Anyone (including EEA

pharmacists) who wishes to practice as a pharmacist and use the restricted title pharmacist in

Great Britain must be registered with the GPhC.

You are required to complete this application pack if you are:

a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA) or are an exempt person

and in good standing with your professional authority in your Member State

and entitled to practise as a pharmacist in the EEA

This application for recognition will enable the GPhC, once you have provided all the required

documentation as listed, to determine your appropriate route to registration and supply the relevant

application for registration form.

ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO:

International Applications

General Pharmaceutical Council

129 Lambeth Road

London

SE1 7BT

Tel: 0203 365 3550

Email: [email protected]


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The Process

EEA nationals qualified as pharmacists in the EEA should use this information pack to make their

application. To be eligible to apply you must have completed an appropriate pharmacy course and

must be registered or eligible to register as a pharmacist in your Member State of qualification.

When we receive your application, under normal circumstances it will be processed within 5

working days of receipt in the department.

We always try to process applications for recognition as quickly as possible. We will review your

application documentation within one month of receipt and contact you by email if any

documentation is incorrect.

Please note that document status can change during the process on receipt of new documents.

Once the application is considered complete, it will receive a final check in preparation for

dispatch of the application for registration form to you.

General information on completing the application:

Complete the documents in black ballpoint pen and in BLOCK CAPITALS ( unless lower case

is essential such as in am email address)

We always try to process applications as quickly as possible. When we receive and process

additional documentation in the department we will always acknowledge receipt and

update you on the status of your application at the time, usually by email.

If you want an acknowledgement of receipt of your initial application please include astamped self addressed envelope or postcard with your with your application. This will be

posted on receipt of your application in the international department.

To help us process your application as quickly as possible, please check your documents

very carefully to make sure you have provided all that is required and in the format

required (eg certified copy or original document). We recommend that you make use of

the checklist provided in the information pack.

If we need to contact you we will use the email and postal address that you enter on your

questionnaire so it is important to make sure these details are up to date, accurate and

legible. You MUST advise us of any change of contact details as soon as possible. If you are

in the UK ensure you use your UK address on your questionnaire. If you do not use your

UK postal address on your questionnaire important documents may be sent to your

address outside the UK and there will be considerable delay in processing your application.

We would advise you to send your application by some form of delivery that requires a

signature by the GPhC. Please ensure you address your envelope / package to

International applications.

Please note that even though post may have been signed into the building, it does not

necessarily mean that it has been received in the international department.


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1.Names

Your documents may have variations of your names. To complete your application you MUST

provide official documentation or a sworn declaration as follows to verify any name changes or

variations.

Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate

Statutory declaration sworn before a UK registered solicitor or British Embassy official.

2. Certified copies

The GPhC requires a certified copy to be presented as follows:

The document MUST be:

Marked as a true copy of the original

Signed dated and stamped by a UK registered solicitor or a Notary

Please note that the office will notaccept copies that have been certified by persons such as

police officers, local government officials or other professionals.

NB No liquid paper amendments or alterations of any other kind are permitted to certified

copies.

NB. If you apply with a UK address you will be expected to provide documents certified by a

solicitor licenced to practice in the UK.

Please note that UK birth certificates and UK marriage certificates cannot have certified

photocopies made.

If you have a UK birth certificate or a UK marriage certificate you will need to apply for a duplicate

from the General Register Office.

Website:www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/register-offices

On line applications: www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates

PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE YOU HAVE AS IT WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO

YOU. ONLY SEND A DUPLICATE FROM THE GRO.

3. Translations

Any document that is not provided in the English language MUST be accompanied by a translation

as follows:

The translation must be completed by an authorised translator

It must be a literal translation, not an interpretation of the original document

All certifications and ink stamps on the original document must also be translated
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The translator must put their business stamp on each document translated and sign and

date the statement this is a true and accurate translation and attach the translation to

the original language document or provide a list of the documents translated.

4. Direct documents

The GPhC requires that certain documents are sent directly from the issuing body / person. Ifthese documents are considered to have been supplied via yourself or any other third party they

will be rejected and you will be required to arrange for new documents to provide in the correct

manner.

5. Inability to provide documents

In general, your application will not be considered for recognition until all of the required

documents have been received and considered acceptable. If you cannot supply any documents

required you should provide a written explanation of why this situation has arisen. If yourexplanation is accepted you will be advised of how to proceed and what alternative documents

may be considered.

6. Data protection

The GPhC is a data controller registered with the Information Commissioners Office. The

GPhC makes use of personal data to support its work as the regulatory body for pharmacists,

pharmacy technicians and retail pharmacy premises in Great Britain. Data may be shared with

third parties in pursuance of the GPhC's statutory aims, objectives, powers and responsibilities

under the Pharmacy Order 2010, the rules made under the Order and other legislation.

Personal data may be processed for purposes including (but not limited to) updating the

register, administering and maintaining registration, processing complaints, compilingstatistics and keeping stakeholders updated with information about the GPhC. Information

may be passed to organisations with a legitimate interest including (but not limited to) other

regulatory and enforcement authorities, NHS trusts, employers, Department of Health,

universities and research institutions. Please note that the GPhC will not share your personal

data on a commercial basis with any third party.

7. The GPhC reserves the right to request additional documents at any time during the

application process.


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Documents required from the applicant:

1. Fees

Please note your application will be returned to you immediately on receipt if you do not

include the scrutiny fee with your initial application.

Scrutiny fee 105to be paid with initial application

Application for registration fee 102 to be paid on request by GPhC with application for

registration form.

First entry fee 240 to be paid on request by GPhC with application for registration form.

This is the fee for your name to be on the register ( providing you remain in good standing)

for 12 months from the date you first join the register

Please note that fees are reviewed annually.

Payment of Fees:

You should pay the fees by credit or debit card using the payment forms provided to you. You may

use a card that is not in your name providing you have the permission of the cardholder to use it.

2. Completed questionnaire

Please ensure you:

Write clearly in black ink

Include a legible email address where possible. This will enhance the communication

process

Provide a UK postal address where possible.

Complete ALL sections of the questionnaire

3. Diploma / Degree Certificate

You must provide a certified copy of your diploma / degree certificate. If your certificate has notbeen issued by the time of your application for recognition, you must provide an original letter

from your university confirming that you have been awarded the qualification and that your

certificate has not yet been issued to you.

4. Licence to Practice

If you have a licence to practice from your qualifying Member State you should provide a certified

copy of that certificate.


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5. Passport/ Proof of nationality

You should provide a certified copy of your passport identity page ( including the photograph).

Please note that you do not have to include all the blank pages of your passport in the copy. We

need to see the identification pages and any validity extension page.

It may be acceptable for you to provide a certified copy of your identity card. This must be the

identity card that proves your nationality and enables you to travel between Member States.

6. Birth / Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate

You should provide a certified copy of your birth certificate where possible ( translated as

necessary). If you are not able to provide a birth certificate you should complete

declaration A of the statutory declaration enclosed with this pack.

If you have changed your name by marriage ( female applicants) you should provide a

certified copy of your marriage certificate ( translated as necessary).

Please note that UK birth certificates, UK marriage certificates and UK Civil Partnership

certificates cannot have certified photocopies made.

If you have a UK birth certificate, a UK marriage certificate or a UK Civil Partnership

certificate you will need to apply for a duplicate from the General Register Office.

Website:www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/register-offices

On line applications: www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates

PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE YOU HAVE AS IT WILL NOT BE

RETURNED TO YOU. ONLY SEND A DUPLICATE FROM THE GRO.

6a. Change of name other than by marriage

If you have changed your name other than by marriage you should complete declaration B

of the statutory declaration enclosed in this pack.

6b. Names different on documents

Your name should be exactly the same on all documents provided. If your name appears

differently to that on your birth or marriage certificate on any of your documents you

should complete declaration C of the statutory declaration enclosed with this pack.

7. Photograph

You must supply 1 recent passport style photograph attached to the photograph form as follows:

Requirements for the photograph

The photograph must be:

Recent (taken within the last month)

In colour

Taken against an off-white, cream or light grey plain background so that your features areclearly distinguishable against the background
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Undamaged, for example, by creases from paperclips

Of you on your own

In sharp focus and clear

The photograph must also show:

No shadows

You facing forwards, looking straight towards the cameraA neutral expression, with your mouth closed (no obvious grinning, frowning or raised

eyebrows)

Your eyes open and clearly visible (with no sunglasses or heavily tinted glasses and no hair

across your eyes)

No reflection or glare on your glasses, and the frames should not cover your eyes

Your full head, without any head covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or medical

reasons

Nothing covering your face. Please ensure that nothing covers the outline of your eyes,

nose or mouth.

The counter signatory (person who signs the photograph)must:

be a professional person, or a person of standing in the community. Examples include a

pharmacist, your university lecturer, a UK registered solicitor or the legal equivalent in

your Member State or a licensed Medical Practitioner. The person providing the

countersignature must not be related to you by birth or marriage. Neither should they be

in a personal relationship with you nor live at your address.

Have known you for at least 2 years

Certify, sign and date the back of the photograph with the handwritten words. I certify

that this is a true likeness of (give the applicants full name and title).

Complete and sign the section overleaf, Section to be completed by counter signatory.

I certify this is a true

likeness of

Your full name & title

Signature of counter

signatory and the date.


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PHOTOGRAPH CERTIFICATION FORM

Section to be completed by counter signatory

This section must be completed by the person who signs the back of the photograph with their

details. They must sign the photograph and the form with the exact same signature

Please complete in block capitals

First names:

Family names:

(please indicate Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)

Address:

Telephone Number: Occupation

Email address:

By countersigning this application, you agree that the GPhC may contact you to verify the

information that you have provided.

I declare that I have signed the photograph enclosed and that I have known

________________________________________________ _____________

(include full name of applicant)

for _______years and that the information I have provided is correct.

Signature:________________________________________________

Date:________________________


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DOCUMENTS TO BE SUPPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE GPHC FROM THE ISSUING BODY

1. Evidence of Registration and Good StandingThis must be an original document from your professional authority which confirms your

registration and good standing with that authority. This document must be sent direct to theGPhC by your professional authority. The professional authority must confirm that you have

not been the subject of any disciplinary proceedings and that there are no disciplinary

proceedings pending against you.

If you are not registered with a professional authority you are required to provide a letter

from the relevant professional authority confirming that if you wished to register with that

authority there is nothing adverse known about you which would prevent your registration

and ability to practise as a pharmacist in your Member State of qualification and an up to date

clear police record from your Member State.Without an acceptable letter of good standing

or clear police record your application for recognition cannot be complete.

Under Article 50 of Directive 2005/36/EC your letter of good standing has a validity of 3

months. Your application must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue of your

letter of good standing .You are strongly advised not to delay sending in your application once

you have requested your letter of good standing to be sent.

If you are registered with more than one professional authority and/or have worked in an

additional country during the last 5 years, evidence of good standing from the relevant

authority(s) will be required.

2. Compliance with Directives

We require the original document from the Competent Authority which confirms that your

qualification or work experience complies with the relevant European Directives. This

certificate must be sent direct to the GPhC by your Competent Authority.

Documents confirming compliance with Article 23 of Directive 2005/36/EC, i.e. the acquired

rights certificate has a validity of 3 months. Your application must be submitted within 3

months of the date of issue of this certificate. You are strongly advised not to delay sending in

your application once you have requested this certificate to be provided.

You may be required by the GPhC to provide additional documentation to demonstrate your

compliance with the Directives. For example, in order to comply with the requirementsintroduced by Directive 2001/19/EC pharmacists who started their qualification in Italy before

1 November 1993 and completed this before 1 November 2003 are required to provide

evidence that their qualification does indeed comply with the Minimum Training

Requirements of Article 44 of Directive 2005/36/EC.

Your route to registration will depend on how the Competent Authority describes your

qualifications and/or experience in relation to the Directive.

There are 2 possible routes which are outlined as follows:


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Route AStandard Route

You would be eligible to apply for registration via this route if you either

Hold a qualification in pharmacy from a Member State of the EEA which is listed in Annex V, section

5.6.2 of Directive 2005/36/EC (or if not listed is regarded as comparable to the qualification listed in

the Annex) and which complies with all the Minimum Training Requirements described in Article 44

of Directive 2005/36/EC

or

have a qualification in pharmacy from a Member State of the EEA which was started before the

reference date specified in the Annex for that Member State and have worked in a Member State in

an activity referred to in Article 45 of Directive 2005/36/EC (which is also an activity regulated by

that Member State) for at least 3 consecutive years during the five years preceding the award of the

certificate. These are the acquired rights provisions of Article 23 of Directive 2005/36/EC.

Once you have supplied all the required evidence and your eligibility to apply for registration

through route A is determined, your application will receive a final check. If everything is in order

you will be sent the application for registration and payment forms to complete and return to the

GPhC.

You would need to complete the application form using the guidance notes and return it to the

GPhC with the appropriate registration fee and 1st

entry fee. (Please see fee section for further

details).

Once the application form and fee are received providing everything remains in order, your file will

be passed to Registration and your name will be put on the Register. You will then receive

confirmation of your registration by letter. This may take some time although your name will appear

on the GPhC live Register on the website (www.pharmacyregulation.org ) as soon as you are

registered.

Please note that you must not work as a pharmacist or present yourself to be a pharmacist in Great

Britain until your name appears on the GPhC Register.

Route B - Comparative Assessment Route

Fees:

In addition to the 105 scrutiny fee paid with your initial application you will be required to pay:

102 application fee for registration

376 evaluation fee

Once your Route B application has been evaluated and you have satisfactorily completed any required

adaptation training you will be required to pay the following fee:

240 first entry fee. This is the fee for your name to be on the register ( providing you remain in

good standing) for 12 months from the date you first join the register

You would be required to apply through this route if

your pharmacy qualification from a Member State was started before the reference date in the

Directive for that Member State and you have not worked for 3 consecutive years in the last 5 years

as a pharmacist


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your pharmacy qualification from a Member State was started after the reference date but the

Competent Authority has confirmed that your qualification does not comply with the minimum

training requirements of Article 44 of Directive 2005/36/EC

your pharmacy qualification was obtained outside the EEA or Switzerland but it has been recognised

by a Member State and you have been permitted to practise as a pharmacist in that State.

Once you have supplied all the required evidence and your eligibility to apply for

registration through route B is determined, you will be provided with an application for

registration as a pharmacist through the non-compliant EEA route form, which will be sent

to you via the address you have provided.

You would then need to complete the application form using the guidance notes and return

it to the GPhC with the relevant application fee (see feesat the beginning of this section).You would also need to provide all the documents specified in the guidance notes that

accompany the form.

This procedure enables the GPhC to make a comparative assessment of your pharmacy

qualifications and work experience as a pharmacist against the national requirements for

registration, ie the UK MPharm degree, 12 months preregistration training and the GPhC

registration assessment.

Should any substantial gaps between your qualifications and experience and the national

requirements for registration be identified, you may be required to complete a period of

additional education, training or experience before passing to Registration. Each applicationis assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All documents should be sent to:

International Applications

General Pharmaceutical Council

129 Lambeth Road

London

SE1 7BT

Tel: 0203 365 3550Email: [email protected]


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Application for recognition as an EEA qualified pharmacistPAYMENT FORM

11.1 Name of applicant

Please indicate whether you are paying by

Debit card Credit card Payment by credit card will incur a

surcharge of 2% from 1 Sept 2011 onwards

11.2 Type of card Please tick one

Mastercard Visa Visa Purchasing Visa DeltaMaestro Solo11.3

Valid From Date / Expiry Date / Issue number

Issue number for Maestro or Solo cards only. If your card does not have an issue number please enter NA in

the boxes.

Name of cardholder

The name exactly as it appears on the debit or credit card

Address of cardholder

Post code

Please charge this card with the sum(s)

Application fee 105

We will take your application fee when start processing your application

Signature of cardholder

Date (dd/mm/yy)

Card number (insert the exact amount ofdigits in your card number only)

CSC number (The last 3 digits on the backof the card)


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8. Photograph

You must supply 1 recent passport style photograph attached to the photograph form as

follows:

Requirements for the photographThe photograph must be:

Recent (taken within the last month)

In colour

Taken against an off-white, cream or light grey plain background so that your features

are clearly distinguishable against the background

Undamaged, for example, by creases from paperclips

Of you on your own

In sharp focus and clear

The photograph must also show:

No shadows

You facing forwards, looking straight towards the cameraA neutral expression, with your mouth closed (no obvious grinning, frowning or raised

eyebrows)

Your eyes open and clearly visible (with no sunglasses or heavily tinted glasses and no

hair across your eyes)

No reflection or glare on your glasses, and the frames should not cover your eyes

Your full head, without any head covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or

medical reasons

Nothing covering your face. Please ensure that nothing covers the outline of your eyes,

nose or mouth.

The counter signatory (person who signs the photograph)must:

be a professional person, or a person of standing in the community. Examples include a

pharmacist, your university lecturer, a UK registered solicitor or the legal equivalent in

your Member State or a licensed Medical Practitioner. The person providing the

countersignature must not be related to you by birth or marriage. Neither should they

be in a personal relationship with you nor live at your address.

Have known you for at least 2 years

Certify, sign and date the back of the photograph with the handwritten words. I certify

that this is a true likeness of (give the applicants full name and title).

Complete and sign the section overleaf, Section to be completed by counter signatory.

I certify this is a true

likeness of

Your full name

Signature of counter

signatory and the date.


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Statutory declarationRefer to guidance notes for completionYou must complete whichever declaration(s) on this side of the form is/are applicable for

your situation.

You must complete BOTH boxes on the other side of this form

DECLARATION A - Inability to provide a birth certificate

I (Insert full name this name must be identical to that on your Application for Recognition)

First names__________________________________________________________

Family Names______________________________________________________________

Address:(insert home address)

___________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Do solemnly and sincerely declare to the best of my knowledge and belief that I was given

the name :

at

my birth

on..at..in...

(insert date of birth) ( insert name of town) (insert

name of country)

___________________________________________________________________________

DECLARATION BUsing a name other than that on birth certificate

I (Insert full name - identical to that given to you at birth)

First names__________________________________________________________

Family names______________________________________________________________

of (insert home address)

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

do solemnly and sincerely declare that since / /

(insert date) dd mm yyyy

I have used and in the future will be known by the name of

___________________________________________________________________

(insert full name you are now using this name must be identical to that on your Application

for Recognition)

Please see overleaf for Declaration C.


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DECLARATION CIf name on any document differs from name on Application for

Registration

I ( name as on application for recognition)

First names___________________________________________________________

Family names_________________________________________________________

of___________________________________________________________________

(insert home address)

_____________________________________________________________________

declare that all documents submitted with my Application for Recognition relate to me and

that all versions of my name relate to one and the same person.

THIS BOX TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT

I(insert full name you are now using. This name must be identical to that on your Applicationfor Recognition)

First names____________________________________________________________

Family names__________________________________________________________

make the declaration(s) overleaf conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue

of the provisions of the Statutory Declaration Act, 1835.

Signed: ___________________________________________________________

Date:_____________________________________________________________

DECLARATION BY SOLICITOR (to be completed by the solicitor)

Declared at (insert full name and address of solicitors premises):

This day of 20 _ _

before me.

I confirm that I am authorised to administer this oath

Signed: (insert here solicitors stamp here)

Instructions for completing the appropriate declaration(s)

The appropriate declaration(s) on this form must be completed by the applicant in the

presence of a solicitor, who should then complete the Declaration by solicitor (above)

Declaration A: Unable to provide acceptable birth certificate

Declaration B: Change of name from that on birth certificate and not supported by marriage

certificate

Declaration C: Documents have different names to names given in A or B.

Feb 2012