After the chaotic June 2022 General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment, trainee pharmacist educator Marvin was overwhelmed by hundreds of messages and emails from candidates who expressed their frustrations over the assessment. Many complained not just of delays to their sitting, but of background noise, poor invigilation and technical issues, and some experienced significant mental distress as a result of the exam.

In July, he organised a historical protest outside the GPhC’s Canary Wharf headquarters to fight for fairness and equal treatment for all trainee pharmacists. After speaking to trainees about their experiences, he outlined a number of requests to present to the regulator. Marvin liaised with the Metropolitan Police and Canary Wharf security teams to inform them of his plans to lead a peaceful protest.

He also requested a face-to-face meeting with GPhC CEO Duncan Rudkin, which was granted. Marvin, along with three trainee delegates, successfully spoke with Mr Rudkin about their experiences and put forward a list of requests for the GPhC to consider. A number of the protesters’ requests to the GPhC were granted and an impressive 80% of candidates passed the exam, with over 2,000 newly qualified pharmacists joining the profession this summer.

Marvin was thanked for his support of trainees and for infuencing the GPhC to take action.