OSPAP or FPGEC (Advice needed)

[chemiguy]

Hello,

I am a pharmacist graduated in 2001 from India. After my B.Pharm I did master's and PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry from a Swedish university. I also published around 6 scientific articles in international journals. Currently I am working as a research associate (postdoc) in a university in the UK. This not a permanent job and currently there are not many job opportunities for chemists in industry.

So I am seriously thinking about going back to my undergraduate roots.
Basically since I am in the UK, I am planning to apply to RPSGB and do the OSPAP program.
I am also thinking about FPGEC in the USA. Can anyone tell me which one of them is easier and better paid?
Since I already have a UK work-permit, I thought maybe it will be easier for me to do all the paper work for RPSGB even though I have to study at uni for 9 months.

Does anyone know if RPSGB will create trouble for me since I have graduated in B.pharm 2001 and I have'nt practiced pharmacy for a long timw?

[tumboka]

HI,
You will need to submit your documents to Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain they will evaluate it and let you know.
I do not think it should be a problem but the RPSGB will be the only one who can answer the question.
In the USA you will need a H1B which opens in April each year unlike the Uk where you can apply anytime.
Which is easier? well that is difficult to tell, it is very individual based.
Good Luck

[mission]

Hi
If I were you will head back to India try working on R&D with many opportunities in Biocon and other research industries looking for talents, none will appreciate you ending up in retail chain store where the growth of career is limited.

Just my personnel thought.

[tumboka]

Hi,
I second what mission said.

[Agrawal]

Hi Chemiguy,
I don't know much about OSPAP programme, but I definately know about FPGEE. I have passed the test in first trial with preparation of around 6 months (I have a kid, too). It wasn't that hard, if you really work on it.
As far as a pay is concerned, I would say money paid in UK pound would be much better than US dollars. But, you won't have to take classes in the US to be a Pharmacist. So, there are pros and cons both ways.

Anyway, I also like a suggestion from Mission. You would certainly get a decent job in India, if you like to pursue that option. Good Luck.

[chemiguy]

Thanks for the reply Agarwal. I might start the OSPAP program in 2010. I am still looking for jobs in pharmaceutical industry.

[rxcist]

chemiguy...i agree with mission 200%...i dont think you will be able to survive in a retail with your kind of background, experience and qualification...you may not get the job satisfaction...there are lot of opportunities in India for a foreign PhD guy...try Dr Reddys or Ranbaxy...

also good to explore possiblities in academics...if you like teaching and research... try some middle east universities...they pay good

[chemiguy]

Hi rxcist,

Thanks for the advice. I would like to work in europe or the US at the moment. May be in future I might want to go back to India. I will never go to middle east.

[JakeDextro]

Hi Chemiguy,

I so understand you and many other people will not understand where you are coming from. I was a pharmacist in South Africa, and worked there for a few years. Then I came to the UK to do a PhD in formulation science which I finished last year. Currently a postdoc. Industry positions are really not that good in the UK - they are generally badly paid unless you are in sales or marketing. I think the positions are saturated. I've been thinking of applying for OSPAP, maybe the American counterpart in the future. I think it is a good thing to have your license as it gives you a secure financial base if nothing more - you can think about doing other things once you have some money.

Lets keep in touch.
Jake

[anacleto85]

Hi JakeDextro and Chemiguy,

I am happy to find other people with a background similar to mine. I obtained a pharmacy degree in Italy, PhD in Chemistry (South Africa) and I am currently a post-doc in the US. Research didn't work out for me and I thought that going back to pharmacy practice could be a good idea. I am about to start my internship in the US after getting the FPGEC.

I would like to take the next 3-5 years as a transition from research to pharmacy practice and improve my clinical skills to better help patients (maybe I'll enroll in a non-traditional PharmD programme... and I'll start a collection of degrees!! ).

I think our multifaceted background will help us finding other future opportunities and for sure a pharmacy license will lead to even more possibilities (retail, hospital, industry, research). If not, a license will certainly give us some financial stability.

Good luck to you both!
Cheers,
anacleto