7 more UK Universities seek accreditation for MPharm programmes amid staffing concerns
The Pharmacy Schools Council (PhSC) has issued a statement urging a cautious approach to the significant expansion of additional UK universities seeking
accreditation for new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programmes.
At least seven more UK universities are seeking accreditation for new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programmes, but existing pharmacy school heads are warning that
severe staffing shortages could threaten the quality of education.
While the council welcomes the increasing interest in the pharmacy profession, it has warned that the “growth is managed not only in the workplace but within the
education sector.”
In a meeting held in April 2024, the council members expressed that while this expansion would increase the number of undergraduate places available for pharmacy
students, heads of existing pharmacy schools raised serious concerns about the challenges in recruiting suitably qualified staff to run these programmes.
The PhSC highlighted the difficulties in attracting candidates for academic positions, particularly those requiring clinical expertise.