Pharmacist

Every physical person is eligible to register as a pharmacist, provided that the Pharmacy Board is satisfied that the following criteria are met:

• Is at least 21 years old;
• Is a citizen of the Republic or spouse or child of a citizen of the Republic who is a resident in Cyprus or a citizen of another Member State;
• Holds a diploma, certificate or other university or equivalent title as those referred to in Annex I (see the legislation in the “Related Links”) or holds a diploma, certificate or other title not referred to in Annex I, but complies with the requirements of Annex II, is recognized by the Cyprus Council of Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (KY.S.A.T.S.) and is approved by the Pharmacy Board or, is covered by the provisions of Article 9A;
• Is a person of good character. To prove this, the applicant shall present a Clear Criminal Record Certificate (issued by the Cyprus Police) or, in the case of a national of another Member State, a copy of the criminal record or an attestation or other equivalent document from the Member State of establishment (origin), provided that the certificate does not exceed a period of three months from the date of issue;
• Is a person with the necessary mental health for practicing the pharmacy profession. To prove this, the applicant shall provide a certificate issued by a doctor who is lawfully practicing medicine in the Republic or in another Member State, provided that the certificate does not exceed a period of three months from the date of issue.

The Pharmacy Board may request from the person who submits an application for registration and does not possess a diploma, certificate or other university or equivalent title referred in Annex I or in Article 9A to:

• Pass the pharmacist registration examination, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant regulations, which may provide for the imposition of fees for participation in the pharmacist registration examination;
• Present evidence to the satisfaction of the Pharmacy Board that he/she has acquired such professional practice in pharmacy that the Pharmacy Board would deem sufficient. The professional practice may have been acquired either in the Republic or in a Member State or in a Third Country, for a period of at least one year. The Pharmacy Board may decide to regulate the procedure and the requirements relating to professional practice in pharmacy.

The application form for pharmacist registration (see ‘Applications & Documents’) can be submitted directly to the Competent Authority:

Pharmacy Board
Pharmaceutical Services
1475 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel.: +357 22 608 637, +357 22 608 684
Fax : +357 22 608 793
Email: phscentral@phs.moh.gov.cy
Website: http://www.moh.gov.cy/phs

1. 1- If the applicant does NOT hold a diploma, certificate or other university or equivalent title listed in Annex I or in Article 9A (see “Annex I” in “Applications & Documents”):

   The original completed application form (‘Application for Pharmacist Registration – exclude Annex 1‘) must be accompanied by the following documents:

   • Photocopy of the Birth Certificate;
   • Photocopy of a civil ID or passport (marriage certificate or Permanent Residency Certificate may be requested);
   • Original or certified/true copy of a Degree/Diploma/Certificate or other title in Pharmacy (plus an official translation in case the document is not in Greek or English);
   • Original Pharmacy Practice Experience certificate validated by the competent authority (12 months after the 4th year of study);
   • Original Mental Health certificate or declaration from a psychiatrist or neurologist of the home Member State which states that the person has the necessary mental health for practicing the profession of a pharmacist (valid for three months);
   • Original Clear Criminal Record Certificate (valid for three months);
   • Letter or copy of letter of success in the pharmacist registration exams of the Pharmacy Board;
   • Copy of proof of payment of the registration fee of €100 (see ‘Fees Applicable & How to Pay’ below).

   2- If the applicant holds a diploma, certificate or other university or equivalent title listed in Annex I or in Article 9A (see “Annex I” in “Applications & Documents”):

   The original completed application (“Application for Pharmacist Registration – Registration Certificate“) form must be accompanied by the following documents:

   • Photocopy of the Birth Certificate;
   • Photocopy of a civil ID or passport (marriage certificate or Permanent Residency Certificate may be requested);
   • Original or certified/true copy of a Degree/Diploma/Certificate or other title in Pharmacy (plus an official translation in case the document is not in Greek or English);
   • Original or certified/true copy of the Licence for Practicing the Pharmacy Profession by the Competent Authority of the Member State (for citizens of other Member States);
   • Certificate of Good Standing and Compliance with Directive 2005/36/EC by the competent authority of the Member State (that the applicant has not been prohibited from exercising his/her activities even temporarily at the time of granting the certificate);
   • Original Pharmacy Practice Experience certificate (optional);
   • Official proof from the Competent Authority for acquired professional experience in Pharmacy for at least three consecutive years during the last five years if possible (mandatory if the title is covered by the provisions of Article 9A);
   • Original Mental Health certificate or declaration from a psychiatrist or neurologist of the home Member State which states that the person has the necessary mental health for practicing the profession of a pharmacist (valid for three months);
   • Original Clear Criminal Record Certificate (valid for three months);
   • Copy of proof of payment of the registration fee of €100 (see ‘Payment of Fees’ below).

   * If the applicant holds a diploma, certificate or other title from a third country, shall also attach:

   • An original or certified copy of a certificate Degree Recognition, by the Cyprus Council for the assessment of Diplomas (KY.S.A.T.S.);

   A person who operates a pharmacy business must have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language and professional experience of at least 6 months in the Republic or in a Member State.

   In accordance with Articles 4(3)(b) and 9B of the Pharmacy and Poisons Law (Cap. 254), if a person wishes to operate a pharmacy business or carry out any other activity related to the supply of medicinal products to the public in Cyprus, the Pharmacy Board may request additional practical training in Cyprus. The duration of the additional practical training in Cyprus will be determined by the Pharmacy Board on a case-by-case basis.

The registration fee is €100 and can be paid online via the JCCSMART Service (Point [99] PHARMACISTS ‘ REGISTRATION FEES) or at the accounting department of Pharmaceutical Services.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

A person who is not satisfied by a Council decision may, within twenty (20) days of the date on which the Council’s decision is notified to him/her, challenge that decision by written Administrative Action to the Minister of Health; this provision is regulated in the Health Professionals Registration Councils (Exercise of Hierarchical Administrative Action) Law of 2017.

If the Pharmacy Board does not adopt a decision within the predefined period, the applicant has the right to file an Administrative Action under Article 146 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

Against the rejection decision, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court under Article 146 of the Constitution.

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such a decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated. However, such a revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

Registered pharmacists are obliged to comply with the provisions of the following laws as well as the relevant secondary legislation issued on the basis of them, as those apply/are in force at any given period of time, to the extent which those relate to/concern the practicing of the Pharmacy profession:

• The Pharmacy and Poisons Law (Cap. 254);
• The Medicinal Products for Human Use (Quality, Supply and Price Control) Law of 2001 (70 (I) / 2001);
• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law of 1977 (29 (I) / 1977);
• The Pharmacists (Associations, Discipline and Pensions Fund) Law of 1972 (39 (I) / 1972).

Among other, they have the following obligations:

1. Operating a pharmacy according to the regulations Regulatory Administrative Act 281/2000 on Specifications for Establishment and Operation of Pharmacies & New Regulatory Administrative Act 161/2019;
2. Book-keeping (prescription register, controlled medicines (narcotics), purchases, duplicates of receipts);
3. Supply of prescription-only/controlled medicines only in accordance with a Doctor’s prescription;
4. Selling only medicinal products which have a marketing authorization in the Republic of Cyprus);
5. Sale of medicinal products at the price specified in the annual Price List issued by the Pharmaceutical Services, price must be stated on all products, check of the expiry date of medicines;
6. Full-day opening and on-call service according to the Pharmacy Board’s Notification.

Important: Only pharmacists employed in registered pharmacies are permitted to dispense prescriptions and to sell or supply medicinal products to any persons.

Competent Authority Supervision

Pharmacy Board: The Competent authority on Pharmacy issues.

The Registrar removes a registered pharmacist from the Pharmacists Register in the following cases:

(a) Due to death;
(b) If the Pharmacy Board finds that his/her name has been erroneously entered in the register, without holding the necessary qualifications and other prerequisites for registration as per the provisions of the Pharmacy and Poisons Law (Cap. 254);
(c) If the Pharmacy Council is satisfied that he/she is not capable, due to a physical or mental illness, to practice the profession safely and competently:

Authorized inspectors from the Minister of Health: inspection of existing and prospective private pharmacies in Cyprus.

Disciplinary Council: Responsible for compliance with the provisions of The Pharmacists (Associations, Discipline and Pensions Fund) law and the provisions of the Pharmacy and Poisons Law (Cap. 254).

A pharmacist is subject to disciplinary prosecution:

• If convicted by a court for an offence involving a lack of honesty or moral obscenity;
• If at the time of practicing the profession showed indecent behaviour or behaviour incompatible with the pharmacy profession;
• If he/she succeeded in registering as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy and Poisons Law by false or fraudulent actions.