C+D’s clinical and custom content editor, Naimah Callachand, spoke to Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist based in north-west England, about the next steps pre- and provisionally registered pharmacists should take upon receiving their General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration exam results.

 

The GPhC announced today (September 9) that the pass rate for the July exam had risen to 81.6%, which is a 9.3 percentage point increase on the June 2019 pass rate of 72.3%.

However, the July pass rate is 6.6 percentage points lower than that recorded for the first-ever online registration assessment held in March.

Regardless of the result, Ms Govind emphasises that “it has been a really difficult year” and pre- and prov-reg pharmacists should allow themselves some “compassion” if they have been unsuccessful.

Listen to the podcast to hear Ms Govind discuss:

• The immediate steps to take – and fees to pay – to join the GPhC register
• Tips for applying for jobs and considering the “portfolio career” options available
• Advice for the first day of work as a newly-qualified pharmacist – including not going home with the keys for the controlled drugs cupboard!

If you were unsuccessful:

• The importance of “taking a break” and reviewing your strategy before taking your next steps
• The appeals process and who to turn to for support
• How to keep up your pharmacy knowledge while working towards your next exam

You can listen to the podcast below. Alternatively, follow C+D's podcasts by searching “Chemist+Druggist podcast” on your preferred app or on Soundcloud.

Thorrun Govind is a pharmacist based in north-west England, and chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's English pharmacy board. This podcast represents her personal views alone.

*This podcast was recorded before Ms Govind was elected to the RPS