Process for applying for a Licence to Practice As Pharmacist in Malta

Practicing as a Pharmacist in Malta is regulated by the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464 of the laws of Malta)

◦ Art 13 (1) - No person shall practice the profession of pharmacist unless he holds a licence for that purpose issued by the President of Malta

◦ Art 13 (2) – No person shall qualify for a licence to practice as a pharmacist unless –

a) he is a citizen of Malta, or of a Member State or is otherwiselegally entitled or authorised to work in Malta;

b) he is of good conduct;

c) is name is entered in the Register of Pharmacists referred to in article 17.

A person shall be eligible for registration if heis a citizen of Malta, or of a Member State ora person who benefits from the provisions ofArticle 11 of Regulation1612/68 ECC or of aperson who has been established in aMember State and holds –◦ (a) a degree in pharmacy from the University of

Malta; ◦ (b) a qualification listed in Second Schedule Part III;

or ◦ (c) a qualification recognised for the purpose by a

Member State obtained from a University, College or recognised institution:

The Pharmacy Council may require competent authoritiesin a Member State to confirm the authenticity of diplomas,certificates and other evidence of formal qualificationsissued in such Member State, as well as to confirm that theperson concerned has fulfilled all the trainingrequirements laid down by national law.

Diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications inPharmacy which were awarded to nationals of Member States byMember States and which do not satisfy all the minimum trainingrequirements laid down under national law, shall be treated asdiplomas satisfying these requirements if they are evidence of trainingwhich has completed before the implementation ofDirective85/432/EEC or they are evidence of training which wascompleted after but which was commenced before the implementationof the said Directive, and in each case if they are accompanied by acertificate stating that the holder thereof has been effectively andlawfully occupied as a pharmacist in a Member State for at least threeconsecutive years during the five years preceding the award of thecertificate and provided further that such an act and activity isregulated in that State.

Applications can be downloaded from https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/pharmcouncil/Pages/Publications.aspx

The application together with accompanying documentsare to be sent by post or submitted personally (byappointment) to:

The Registrar Pharmacy CouncilOPD Level 1

Public Health Regulation DepartmentSt. Luke’s Hospital

GwardamangiaMalta

Summary of Documentation needed:◦ Filled in Application for registration in the Register of Pharmacists◦ Original birth certificate◦ Original Police conduct (recent – max of 3 months)◦ Certified true copy of pharmacy qualification◦ Evidence of nationality (certified copy of passport is enough)◦ Certificate confirming that the applicant is a pharmacist and has the right to practice pharmacy in the home

member state and that the applicant is of good standing and 2. Certificate from the Competent Authority inthe home member state confirming that the pharmacy qualification is in line with EU Directive 2005/36/ECor whether the applicant benefits from acquired rights as established under Srticle 23 of the abovementioned Directive.

◦ Copy of Registration certificate and licence if applicable.◦ Certified copy of a passport photo – recent◦ Payment of €64.10

Language requirements (to obtain a licence to practice) - In order to gain access and obtain a licence to practice as pharmacist you need to present proficiency in the English language by presenting an IELTS (Academic) with at least 6.5 average or TOEFL IBT with a level of 95 or Cambridge level C.

* Timeframes - The procedure for examining an application to practise a regulated profession must be completedas quickly as possible and lead to a duly substantiated decision by the Pharmacy Council in any case within threemonths after the date on which the applicant’s complete file was submitted. However, this deadline may beextended by one month in cases falling under Chapters I and II of the Professional Qualifications Directive;

Summary of Documentation needed:◦ Filled in Application for registration in the Register of Pharmacists ◦ Original birth certificate ◦ Original Police conduct (recent – max of 3 months) ◦ Certified true copy of pharmacy qualification ◦ Evidence of nationality (certified copy of passport is enough) ◦ Certificate of Current Professional Status (proof of registration + certificate of good

standing) issued by the competent authority of Pharmacists in the home Country. (sent directly to the Pharmacy Council).

◦ Copy of Registration certificate and licence if applicable. ◦ Transcript of studies (original or certified copy) ◦ Prospectus of studies. ◦ Reference letters and proof of professional experience ◦ Certified true of a passport photo – recent ◦ Recognition statement of your qualification from the Malta Qualifications Council

(visit www.mqc.gov.mt or www.ncfhe.gov.mt) ◦ In order to gain access and obtain a licence to practice as pharmacist you need to

present proficiency in the English language by presenting an IELTS (Academic) with at least 6.5 average or TOEFL IBT with a level of 95 or Cambridge level C.

◦ Payment of €64.10

Any person who has had his/her application for registration and licencerefused or has received a conditional refusal (has been recommended todo compensatory measures) may appeal this decision according toarticle 49 of the Health Care Professions act

This appeal has to be filed within twenty (20) days from the decision ofthe Council against a fee of €116.47at the Revenue section of the officeof the Superintendent of Public Health in the Out Patients Department,Level 1, St Luke’s Hospital Gwardamangia.

Following payment please proceed with the receipt together with yourletter of appeal and any other documents you deem necessary to:

Dr. Anthony GattThe Secretary,

Health Care Professions Appeals Committee c/o Palazzo Castellania, 1

5, Merchants Street Valletta

2016 saw the introduction of an alternative method of recognition through the EuropeanProfessional Card (EPC). The EPC is not a physical card but 18 January takes the form ofonline certificate that confirms recognition of the professional qualification. The wholeprocess is carried out online with the applicant, submitting an application through aspecially created online portal.

This applies to both those professionals wishing to provide a temporary service inanother Member State as well as those wishing to establish themselves in a HostMember State.

◦ Who can apply?

Pharmacists who are either EU Country Nationals or enjoy EU rights.

◦ Is the EPC valid in all Member States?

The EPC issued will only be valid for that Member State the professional wishes to practice in. If the professional wishes to provide a service in multiple Member States, a separate EPC will be needed for each Member State.

◦ Can employers check the whether a professional is in possession of a valid EPC?

Yes, employers can check whether the professional has been issued with an EPC and if this is still valid.

◦ Can I start practising as soon as the EPC is issued?

While the EPC confirms that the administrative checks for recognition of professional qualifications have been successfully carried out, access to the profession may, however, still be dependent on satisfying other criteria such as language proficiency.

◦ Does the EPC replace the ‘traditional’ method of recognition?

The EPC does not replace the ‘traditional’ procedures of recognition ofprofessional qualifications but provides an alternative route for applicants wishingto have their qualifications recognised in another Member State.

◦ Where can I obtain more information on the EPC and the application process?

Further information on the EPC is available on http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/professional-qualifications/european-professional-card/index_en.htm.

Please refer to the Council website for more information and updates -https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/pharmcouncil/Pages/pharmcounc.aspx

EU Directive 2005/36/EC – on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications

The Council can be contacted through the Registrar on 21255538 or 25953361 or by sending an email on pharmacy.council@gov.mt

To submit an application one is required to fix an appointment with the Registrar.

The Council’s opening hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 2:30pm