PHARMACY Board of Australia registration data shows the number of registered pharmacists across the country is at a record high.
The latest quarterly updated showed 34,922 pharmacists were registered with the Board as of 31 Dec 2020, with 32,393 holding general registration - a figure that includes 1,936 pharmacists who were brought onto the pandemic sub-register in Apr last year.
Excluding those on the sub-register, the number of pharmacists holding general registration has increased by 837 since Mar 2020, the last reporting period prior to the introduction of the pandemic register.
While overall registration figures are at historic highs, the Dec 2020 quarter saw the number of provisional regisration holders hit their lowest level (1,399) since the Board started publishing the data in Mar 2012, when there were 1,759 pharmacists with provisional registration.
The number of provisionally registered pharmacists aged under 25 years has fallen by 47% since the Board released its first round of registration figures, with 598 in Dec 2020 compared to 1,113 in Mar 2012.
The latest Board statistics also show the numbers of pharmacists holding non-practicing registration increased for the second successive quarter to 1,118, however, the number is 236 lower than Dec 2019's record high of 1,354.
Board figures showed the 35 to 39 years age bracket had the highest number of non-practicing registrants (193) up by 28 since Sep 2020.
The profession's gender mix has remained largely static, with women accounting for close to 63% of registrants, and 66% of general registration holders.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 31 Mar 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 31 Mar 21
