As of August 20, 2014, all international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) who wish to obtain a licence to practice pharmacy in Alberta will follow a new procedure.* The term IPGs refers to pharmacists who have obtained their pharmacy education outside of Canada.
As one of Canada’s pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs), we have entrusted our national association, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA), to develop a new, national approach to facilitate the licensure process for IPGs and to eliminate duplication.
This new program – the Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada – will now be the first point of access rather than the PRA. To help IPGs navigate the licensure process and facilitate their preparation for licensure in Canada, the Gateway provides a website with key information online and through telephone support and features two self-assessment tools which assist IPGs to make an informed decision before starting the process to become licensed as a pharmacist in Canada. For IPGs wishing to practise in Canada, the process of obtaining a licence begins with enrolment in the Gateway.
*This does not apply to IPGs who initiated the licensure process with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada or a pharmacy regulatory authority before August 20, 2014. See our Registration & Licensure section for more registration information.
