Work as a pharmacist in Canada

by Gean Oliveira on December 8, 2008

I’ve been receiving a lot of e-mails from readers interested in live and work in Canada. Then, I realized that the best way to help everybody is to answer those questions here. First of all, I am not an expert and the only information that I found was based on government and agencies websites dedicated to people interested in Canada.

Here’s an e-mail from a reader, living in Italy:

Hi, I’m an Italian pharmacist tired of living in this country where everything goes wrong. I’d like to know if my Italian degree (M.D. in Pharmacy) would be accepted by Canadian University.

The first thing that you should know is where you want to live in Canada.  As I said before, each province has its own rules. As an example, in Ontario, here’s what’s necessary to work as a pharmacist:

To practice pharmacy in Ontario, you must have a Certificate of Registration (license) as a Pharmacist with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP). You will need this certificate to use the title ‘Pharmacist’ and provide pharmacy services to the public in Ontario. Most pharmacists practice in a community pharmacy or in a hospital pharmacy. People with a degree in pharmacy also work in the pharmaceutical industry, education and administration. You may not need a Certificate of Registration for some of these positions. Check with individual employers to see whether a Certificate of Registration is required. In any case, a Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacist gives you a much better chance of getting work in your profession.

If you’re planning to work as a pharmacist in Ontario, learn more using the website: Access to the Pharmacy Profession in Ontario.

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  • Omid Khojasteh
    Hi, i am assistant pharmacy in the netherlends. what i want to know is that if my diploma valid in canada and if i can work as a assistant phamacy in canada.
  • Princesskatherinemercado
    hi goo day
    i am a pharmacist working in Philippines.I want to know whether our four year degree course is sufficient to work as a pharmacist in canada? is there any examination for us?
  • Bernardino Ofelia
    HELLO! IM REGISTERED PHARMACIST IN PHILIPPINES,CAN I BE APART OF COMPANY AND WORK ASK A PHARMACIST,WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS.
  • Ranjan_shag
    hai, Iam a pharmasist with two year of experience in the same from india, iam a registered pharmasist in india. Now i need to work in canada as pharmasist , can you tell me the requirement (examination to be cleared) and how can i apply that online.
  • XYZ
    I am registered pharmacist in india and i did my M.Pharmacy in Pharmacology.I have 3 years teaching experience .I have visa for canada.What will be the procedure to get job in canada.Can I get the job in canada directly from india.
  • hemanth SV
    hai, Iam a pharmasist with two year of experience in the same from india, iam a registered pharmasist in india. Now i need to work in canada as pharmasist , can you tell me the requirement (examination to be cleared) and how can i apply that online.
  • anil
    one of the most important requirment is five year pharmacy degree
  • Chelee
    im a clinical pharmacist here in the Philippines, what is the first thing that i should do to work in there?
  • Msparkle: It is an interesting question. If you don't qualify using the Skilled Worker process, you should try looking at the nominee programs of each province. Pharmacist is a profession on demand in Canada. At least, I know it is in Ontario. Just check http://www.healthforceontario.ca/

    Manish: I don't think so - however, it is up to the company but without registration, you can't work as a pharmacist in Canada.

    Nona: If you plan to work in Canada as a pharmacist, I think you should need it. But I am not sure - you should contact the regulation body of the province. I've provided the link above.

    Deepak: Post your resume in job board sites such as http://www.monster.ca and http://www.workopolis.ca

    Aida: Yes, there is. You should read the post from the beginning, where I've said the regulation body you should look for - and it depends the province that you'd like to live in Canada.
  • Aida
    Hello Gean,
    i am a pharmacist working in India.I want to know whether our four year degree course is sufficient to work as a pharmacist in canada? is there any examination for us?
  • deepak
    i am m. pharm ,i have 2half year work ex in analytical in repeauted pharma company in mumbai. i want to get work exposure in abroad. kindly suggest me .
  • nona
    Hi,
    I am an Egyption pharmacist working in the drug registration & regulatoy affairs in a multinational company, I already applied for Canada immigration & I need to work in Toronto in the same feild, should I have the registration certificate as a pharmacist in Canada ( canadian board of pharmacy exam) I am not going to work as a community pharmacist, please advise me. thanks
  • Manish
    hi gean
    i am a final year student of pharmacy here in india .. can i work in any canadian medicine industry or something in this line without any ragistration??
  • msparkle
    All i'm interested in knowing is why pharmacy profession was removed from the 2009 demand occupations list and how it will affect foreign pharmacists trying to get into Canada. Is there a reduced demand? if so, why bother with it considering the long and expensive registration process.
  • dindo
    what i knew might be wrong, am just researching in the internet web pages. Please do inform me just in case you would knew someone who had done the process of entering the IPG program on his own ,maybe he or she could help.

    thanks and God bless you
  • Dindo, I really don't know what to say - you looks like know more than me about this. I hope you can find an answer and share with us later.
  • dindo
    Hello Gean,

    This is Dindo, a pharmacist from the Philippines, and plan to take up IPG in Toronto. I am currently waiting for the result of my PEBC documentation evaluation and if given the opportunity I might took the test this coming January 2010. After finishing and submitting my application, I continue to research on what is the next step if ever I passed the PEBC Evaluation Exam. I had found out that one must pre-register first with OCP, but they need to have my student permit/visa as a foreigner. When I checked the process or requirements for the application for Student Permit, it states that I need to show to them that i am accepted in the university first ( Leslie Dan Univeristy Toronto) , and when I did checked the application form for the Leslie Dan University, it is asking for the OCP student registration number already and the Student visa/ permit. I am lost and don't know what would be the next step if ever I passed the EE, can you help me on this one? Thank you and God bless you.
  • Dessalengn: Yeah, you're not obligated to work only in your profession. You can do whatever you want, since you meet the requirements for the position.

    Aman: You can find jobs in Canada visiting my post where should I look for jobs in Canada
    Naeem: Just read the information that I've provided on this post. See also how I immigrated to Canada
    Irfan: I'd say you visit http://www.studyincanada.com for more information.

    Malini: If you'd like to work in Ontario as a pharmacist, yes, please go and verify what is needed contacting the Ontario College of Pharmacy. Also, visit the Health Force Ontario website.
  • Malini
    Hi Gean,
    I was looking at your suggestions to others & I must say that was very useful information.
    I like most of them want to work as a pharmacist in Canada. Please advise me if I need to get further information from Ontario College of Pharmacy if I intend to work in Toronto or is there a diff website which you can provide to me as I understand diff cities of Canada have diff requirements.
    Thanks
  • M. Irfan Faheem
    hi i m from pakistan i m a student of pharm- d in 3rd year. i want to shift in canada after 2 years after completing my pharm- d. i want to start my carieer from canada.. tell me about procedure. how it is easy for me?
  • naeem
    hi my i m naeem. i m m-pharm in pharmacology. i want to work in canada in pharmacy field.so please guide me. thank u
  • aman
    hi
    i am aman dhaliwal from india.I have done M.pharmacy (pharmacognosy) from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.I want to move to canada.what are the job offers for me.Can i get direct job there or i have to go for further study or any equivalency exam and whats the procedure for that. Looking for your assistance.Thank you.
  • DESSALEGN BAYETA GEMMEDE
    Hello, I am licensed pharmacist in Ethiopia, Africa and if GOD say I will move to Canada,Ontario up to the next four months. So, may I have possibilities to work even as a pharmacy tecnology one position lower than pharmacist? I am looking for your assistance.
    Thank you in advance,
  • Zeeshan: Yes, you can work in Canada. However, you must immigrate to Canada or get a work visa to Canada.

    Dinesh: You can check the website http://www.cic.gc.ca - in addition, you can read how I immigrated to Canada, too.
  • DINESH
    HI
    I AM A PHARMACY GRADUATE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN4500 BEDED AS HOSPITAL PHARMACIST IN INDIA SO I WANT TO WORK IN CANADA SO PLS GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS


    DINESH KUMAR SHARMA
    09414424303
  • Hi, i, pharmacist by profession & got 3 years working experinece in a multinational pharmaceutical company now company is sold & i must get some better oppurtunity for future of my family can i work in canada at some retail outlet?
  • Sousa, I really don't know but I am sure that's something you will learn.
  • sousa
    Hi im in grade 10 currently i know im young but i love chemistry biology and physics and i want to be a pharmacist.. how do pharmacist read perscriptions?
  • Ambreen and Puneet: Did you guys have a chance to READ all the information I've provided before? If you did not see, I've already linked the organizations that you should contact, if you're planning to work in Canada as a pharmacist.
  • PUNEET KUMAR
    hello
    i am puneet from india.i am a pharmacy graduate.i want to do the further study from canada in the pharmacy field...so plz tell me what is procedure to get the addmission over there and how can i got the pharmacist license over there or work as a pharmacist over there,
  • ambreen
    im pharmacy graduate from pakistan and working as an onclogy pharmacist for the last two years.i wanted to know if i could apply for furhter studies in Canada or fro working.
  • Cattlea, yes, the process is expensive and it takes time. I don't have an answer for your question, but you should ask the company willing to pay you, or even the Ontario College of Pharmacists. I'm sure they have an e-mail to contact them.
  • Cattlea MAe
    Hi,
    I am cattlea..24 years old..i have been applying as a pharmacist in canada. however, they require that one should be registered in canada as pharmacist. as i researched and surfed the net on how to be registered, the steps are kinda long and expensive..can i work even as an assistant while eraning money so that i can proceed with the registration? i have an aunt who work and live in montreal..how can she help me pursue my career in canada??thanx
  • Andrea, as far as I know, if you've got your work permit, I think you can't work as a pharmacy in a part time job just because your visa is specific to the family that you're living/working as a caregiver. However, you can look for a pharmacist job and if you find, you can ask/negotiate with the company willing to hire you to give you another visa, this one specific to the work at the pharmacy.
  • andrea yolanda reyna
    gean,
    what if i applied as a caregiver in ontario and a work permit is issued to me, can i also work as pharmacy aide as my part-time job?
  • Mary Ann, I wish I could give you an answer, but I really don't know. You should ask the Ontario College of Pharmacists, in case you're living or intend to live in Ontario.
  • mary ann lagman
    what if im a graduate as pharmacy student? i am stil a pharmcy clerck? or pharmacy technician?
  • Andrea, I don't think you need special requirements to work in Canada as a retail pharmacist. The requirements that I've said before are for people interested to work in Canada as a pharmacist.
  • andrea yolanda reyna
    i am a retail pharmacist here in the philippines, what are the requirements i need so that i can also have a certificate in pharmacy there in ontario?
  • Mary Ann, you don't need to be a Canadian citizen in order to take the exam. Have you checked with the Ontario College of Pharmacists this information as well?
  • mary ann lagman
    hi im mary ann from phillipines im a pharmacy student and im 3rd yr now implaning to work in canada soon in toronto coz my auntie based in toronto.. before i take the board exam should i be a canadian citizen>?tell me more about it thanks
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