www.nspharmacy.ca, the official website of the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator (NSPR), provides information about the pharmacy regulator, pharmacist and pharmacy technician registration, pharmacy licensure, and pharmacy practice in our province.

The information on this site is intended as a resource to pharmacy professionals and future pharmacy professionals, and to the public.

Public interpretation of health information on this site should not be substituted for the advice of a healthcare professional. For specific health matters, visitors to this site are encouraged to consult their pharmacist or other appropriate healthcare provider.

Occasionally, alternate websites are referenced on this site. This does not imply an endorsement by NSPR. The Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator does not endorse specific organizations, products, or therapies.

Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

We respect and honour the Peace and Friendship Treaties that were signed in this territory, setting the terms of coexistence between settlers and the Mi’kmaq people. These Treaties remain in place today.

We recognize our responsibility to uphold the Treaties in the spirit of Reconciliation and collaboration. We acknowledge the harms that have created and continue to create health inequities for Mi’kmaq People, and we commit to moving forward in partnership.

We are all Treaty People.

We recognize the histories, legacies and contributions of African Nova Scotians, a distinct people with connections to the original 52 land-based Black communities. African Nova Scotians have been a key part of enriching the culture and history of Mi’kma’ki for more than 400 years.

Mi’kma’ki includes all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, part of New Brunswick, the Gaspé region of Quebec, part of Maine, and southwestern Newfoundland.

December 5, 2023

Launch of Streamlined Licensing Pathway and Recruitment Campaign for International Pharmacy Professionals

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Nova Scotia Launches New Streamlined Licensing Pathway and Recruitment
Campaign for International Pharmacy Professionals


More pharmacy professionals are needed to address workforce shortages
as more care is delivered by pharmacists


December 5, 2023 (Halifax, NS) – Like other health professions across the country, Nova Scotia is
experiencing a critical shortage of pharmacy professionals. To address this, the Nova Scotia College of
Pharmacists (NSCP) has launched a new streamlined licensing pathway for pharmacy professionals from
the United States, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. This change
significantly reduces the effort for these individuals to be licensed here, while ensuring the same high
standard.


“We know that nothing is more important to Nova Scotians right now than having access to the
healthcare they need. We’ve demonstrated in this province the importance of using the full extent of
pharmacists’ knowledge and skills in our healthcare system,” says Beverley Zwicker, NSCP CEO and
Registrar.


The NSCP used the authority provided by the recently established provincial Patient Access to Care Act
to waive the national licensing exam and internship period for pharmacy professionals licensed in these
countries where the education, licensing process, and scope of practice are of the same high standard as
in Canada.


“The NSCP is implementing this solution so that Nova Scotians can continue to benefit from pharmacists
in their community playing a larger role in meeting their health needs, while also continuing to ensure
the quality and safety of care provided,” says Zwicker.


Aligned with the new streamlined licensing pathway, NSCP and the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
(PANS) have jointly launched an international recruitment campaign that includes a microsite and
advertising strategy. An RxNS Career Navigator is also now available to assist eligible international
professionals to find employment, work through immigration, and receive other supports.


“This is an important step to ensure we have the pharmacy workforce we need today and tomorrow.
Our pharmacy teams and pharmacy primary care clinics across the province are having a positive impact
on the health of Nova Scotians. We’re excited to welcome more practitioners to help us grow,” says
Allison Bodnar, CEO of PANS.


To learn more about the streamlined licensing pathway and RxNS recruitment campaign, visit
www.rxns.ca.

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