In Profession news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Sector bodies have urged health minister Karin Smyth to give student pharmacists full access to a financial support package that is currently available to other trainee health professionals. 

The joint letter from the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCP), British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) and Pharmacy Schools Council (PhSC) calls on the Government to allow students on MPharm programmes full access to the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF), which includes a training grant of up to £5,000 per academic year.

The appeal comes on the back of an online petition started by pharmacy student Zeenat Nosheen Akmal, who said full LSF access “is essential to ensure pharmacy students are not financially disadvantaged while undertaking one of the most demanding healthcare degrees”.  

Since September 2025, eligible MPharm students have been able to apply for reimbursement of travel and dual accommodation costs incurred as part of their mandatory clinical placements – but not for other aspects of the LSF, such as training grants, parental support or an exceptional support fund. 

The three organisations said they were “delighted that pharmacy students can now access elements of the LSF” but urged Labour to go further.

“Alongside removing unjust barriers to choosing pharmacy, this would give students the flexibility to engage with wider professional development opportunities to further enhance their clinical skills,” they said. 

RCP England chair Mahendra Patel said: “The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan highlights the need to boost training places to meet growing demand for pharmacy services.

“As we ask pharmacists to do more, this must be backed by enhanced and equitable support for education and professional development.  

“With continued pressures on the NHS, pharmacy students should not face unjust financial barriers at the very start of their career, if we are to make the most of all the health professions to support patient care.” 

BPSA president Martina Aikon commented: “In a cost-of-living crisis, thousands of pharmacy students face financial pressures and are often unable to access opportunities and resources offered to other healthcare professions

“As an association, we believe full inclusion in the Learning Support Fund is imperative in providing equitable support for MPharm students.

“As the clinical and prescribing responsibilities of pharmacists continue to grow, it is only fair that pharmacy students have access to the additional support they deserve. 

Professor Barrie Kellam, chair of the PhSC, added: “Patient safety depends on pharmacists trained in clinical decision making and the scientific understanding of medicines that underpins safe prescribing and use. 

“Policymakers must therefore fund these essential elements to protect patients and secure our future workforce.”