The Fiji Pharmaceutical Society has expressed strong support for the repeal of the Registration of Skilled Professionals Act, deeming it a crucial step towards ensuring fairness, enhancing oversight, and safeguarding public health. In a statement from President Priyanka Prasad, she highlighted that the previous legislation established an unbalanced two-tier system, allowing foreign-trained pharmacists to enter practice without undergoing the necessary checks mandated by the Pharmacy Profession Act.
The new repeal mandates that all pharmacists, regardless of whether they were trained locally or overseas, must complete appropriate qualification assessments and competency examinations before they can begin practicing in Fiji. “With the restoration of the Fiji Pharmacy Profession Board, proper checks and competency exams will be enforced, which ultimately enhances patient safety, and that is our primary concern,” Prasad stated.
The pharmaceutical community has embraced this change, recognizing its importance in prioritizing patient safety and ensuring equitable treatment for both local graduates and international applicants. Although there may be initial delays for overseas applicants as the regulatory system transitions back to its statutory framework, Prasad emphasized that these adjustments are necessary for public safety.
She noted that the elimination of conflicting systems will contribute to clearer processes in the long run. Reiterating the significance of the repeal, Prasad remarked that the former law’s inadequate entry pathways had endangered patients and eroded trust in the pharmacy profession.
It is worth noting that the Fiji Pharmaceutical Society does not oversee registration applications, a responsibility maintained by the Fiji Pharmacy Profession Board post-repeal. While the changes may create a need for adaptive measures, Prasad reassured that Fiji remains open to welcoming foreign-trained pharmacists, provided they meet the established standards. This commitment to rigorous qualification processes is a positive development for the health sector, reinforcing the integrity of pharmacy services in Fiji.