In the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) writeup of the results of the 20 largest training providers, Paydens achieved the lowest pass rate of 94.1% – the average pass rate for these providers was 99%.

Barrie Smith, who has been pre-reg manager of the south-east England pharmacy chain for 20 years, told C+D that the bar chart produced by the GPhC “doesn’t really tell the full story”, because just one Paydens trainee out of 17 failed the exam.

Mr Smith is concerned that the way these results are published could affect his pre-reg selection process in the future, he said.

“The only way I can guarantee 100% [pass rate] is to be a lot more selective at the start of the pre-reg [year],” Mr Smith said. 

Paydens’ pre-reg trainees were supported “very well” with a “comprehensive programme” that included trips to head office and eight days in a GP surgery, Mr Smith stressed. 

Paydens only takes on between 20 and 22 trainees a year and aims to provide “real jobs” at the end of the year, he said.

Mr Smith is "delighted" that the national pre-reg pass rate has gone up "considerably" this year, he added.

The GPhC defended the way it presented the results and said it is clear and enables others to analyse and interpret the data. 

This year's pre-reg trainees can pick up tips on working as a newly-qualified pharmacist in C+D's podcast, below.