Recognition of foreign diplomas in The Netherlands
Information for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and technicians with a non-Dutch diploma who wish to work in The Netherlands.
The pharmacy profession is regulated in The Netherlands. This means that access to this profession is regulated by law. Therefore, pharmacists with a non-Dutch diploma who wish to work in The Netherlands as a pharmacist need the approval of the Dutch authorities.
The website http://www.professionalrecognition.nl outlines which steps you must undertake in order to be allowed to practise a regulated profession in The Netherlands. Follow the links in www.professionalrecognition.nl. They will lead you to the address of the Dutch authority to which you should apply.
In The Netherlands the University of Groningen and the University of Utrecht offer teaching programs for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Pharmacy assistants and technicians
Follow the same steps as outlined above.
For an overview of the various educational institutes for pharmacy assistants see http://www.sbaweb.nl or http://www.gobnet.nl.
Hospital pharmacists
In The Netherlands hospital pharmacy is a recognised specialisation. Hospital pharmacists with a non-Dutch diploma should, after receiving their recognition as a pharmacist by the Dutch authorities contact the Specialists Registration Committee of the Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Society (KNMP) for recognition as a hospital pharmacist. More information (in Dutch) can be found at this website KNMP website at Opleiding & registratie - ziekenhuisapothekers.
News letter (in Dutch)