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 otherwise
legally 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 he
is a citizen of Malta, or of a Member State or
a person who benefits from the provisions of
Article 11 of Regulation1612/68 ECC or of a
person who has been established in a
Member 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 authorities
in a Member State to confirm the authenticity of diplomas,
certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications
issued in such Member State, as well as to confirm that the
person concerned has fulfilled all the training
requirements laid down by national law.
Diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in
Pharmacy which were awarded to nationals of Member States by
Member States and which do not satisfy all the minimum training
requirements laid down under national law, shall be treated as
diplomas satisfying these requirements if they are evidence of training
which has completed before the implementation of
Directive85/432/EEC or they are evidence of training which was
completed after but which was commenced before the implementation
of the said Directive, and in each case if they are accompanied by a
certificate stating that the holder thereof has been effectively and
lawfully occupied as a pharmacist in a Member State for at least three
consecutive years during the five years preceding the award of the
certificate and provided further that such an act and activity is
regulated in that State.
 Applications can be downloaded from
https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/pharmc
ouncil/Pages/Publications.aspx

 The application together with accompanying documents

are to be sent by post or submitted personally (by
appointment) to:
The Registrar Pharmacy Council
OPD Level 1
Public Health Regulation Department
St. Luke’s Hospital
Gwardamangia
Malta
 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 in
the home member state confirming that the pharmacy qualification is in line with EU Directive 2005/36/EC
or whether the applicant benefits from acquired rights as established under Srticle 23 of the above
mentioned 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 completed
as quickly as possible and lead to a duly substantiated decision by the Pharmacy Council in any case within three
months after the date on which the applicant’s complete file was submitted. However, this deadline may be
extended 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 licence
refused or has received a conditional refusal (has been recommended to
do compensatory measures) may appeal this decision according to
article 49 of the Health Care Professions act

 This appeal has to be filed within twenty (20) days from the decision of
the Council against a fee of €116.47at the Revenue section of the office
of 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 your
letter of appeal and any other documents you deem necessary to:

Dr. Anthony Gatt

The 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 European
Professional Card (EPC). The EPC is not a physical card but 18 January takes the form of
online certificate that confirms recognition of the professional qualification. The whole
process is carried out online with the applicant, submitting an application through a
specially created online portal.
 This applies to both those professionals wishing to provide a temporary service in
another Member State as well as those wishing to establish themselves in a Host
Member 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 of
professional qualifications but provides an alternative route for applicants wishing
to 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/regc
ounc/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