General Pharmaceutical Council approves specialised English test for overseas pharmacists coming to the UK

To work in Britain, Pharmacists and Pharmacist Technicians must prove they have the English language skills needed to carry out their jobs as part of the registration process with the regulator. Professionals choosing this route can now prove their English language proficiency with OET, an English language test specifically developed for the healthcare sector. OET is used globally in the healthcare sector and covers 12 healthcare professions including a specific test for Pharmacy. The test reflects real-life workplace tasks and relevant language skills that are needed by Pharmacists, a role recently added to the UK government’s Shortage Occupation List which gives foreign workers in key health and care roles an advantage in obtaining a skilled worker visa. The experts behind the test say OET will be a big help to the General Pharmaceutical Council when evaluating applications to join its register, as it will help them to identify those individuals with the English language skills needed for safe and effective practice