Pharmacists reject new internship policy, warn of risks to training standards and health worker welfare

A fresh debate has emerged over the future of health professional training in Uganda after the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) opposed key provisions of the National Education and Training for Health Policy 2025, arguing that the proposed reforms could compromise training standards, student welfare and the quality of the country’s future health workforce.

In a detailed statement issued by the Society’s Council, PSU announced that it does not support the implementation of the policy in its current form and called for its suspension until comprehensive curriculum reviews are undertaken and relevant professional bodies are fully consulted.

The position places pharmacists among the growing number of health sector stakeholders raising concerns about proposed changes to internship training and professional qualification pathways.

Internship Reforms Spark Concern

At the center of the dispute is a proposal within the National Education and Training for Health Policy 2025 to integrate internship and practical training into undergraduate health professional programmes.

Under the proposed framework, internship would become part of the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree programme rather than a separate post-graduation requirement.

However, PSU argues that the policy was approved without adequate consultation with the profession’s statutory regulator and professional body.

According to the Society, no curriculum reviews have yet been conducted to accommodate the proposed changes, creating uncertainty about how students would be assessed, supervised and ultimately licensed to practice.

The Council maintains that existing requirements for pharmacist registration should remain in force until universities formally revise their curricula and those revisions receive approval from relevant academic and regulatory authorities.

The Society further argues that any future curriculum changes should apply only to newly admitted students rather than those already enrolled, citing the principle of legitimate expectation.

Current Training Path Remains Unchanged

For current pharmacy students, PSU sought to provide reassurance.

The Society confirmed that the pre-internship examination will proceed as scheduled and that there are no changes to examination formats, eligibility requirements or timelines for the current academic year

Students graduating from recognized universities will continue to follow the existing pathway to professional registration.

Under that system, graduates must obtain a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, undertake the prescribed internship period and pass both pre-internship and post-internship qualifying examinations before becoming eligible for registration as pharmacists.

PSU emphasized that universities must first clear and graduate students before forwarding them to the Society for internship placement and professional examinations.

The clarification is expected to calm concerns among final-year students who have been uncertain about how the new policy could affect their graduation and professional licensing prospects.

Quality Starts at Admission

Beyond internship reforms, PSU also used the opportunity to challenge policymakers to address what it describes as the real causes of weaknesses within the health workforce.

The Society argues that Uganda’s challenges are not necessarily due to the number of years spent in training but rather gaps in student selection, supervision, infrastructure and financing.

As a result, PSU is advocating for stricter admission standards for pharmacy and medical schools.

The Council argues that only academically capable, motivated and ethically suitable students should be admitted into health training programmes.

It also expressed concern that some universities are admitting students beyond the capacity approved during accreditation processes, potentially affecting training quality.

Health education experts have long warned that rapid expansion of enrolment without corresponding investments in faculty, laboratories and training facilities can weaken the quality of graduates entering the healthcare system.

Intern Welfare Under Spotlight

Perhaps the strongest part of PSU’s statement relates to the welfare of medical interns.

The Society argues that interns play a critical role in healthcare delivery across Uganda’s hospitals and should not be viewed merely as students undergoing training.

According to PSU, interns routinely work long shifts covering emergency units, labour wards, operating theatres and inpatient departments, often under demanding conditions.

The Council warned that reducing or eliminating internship allowances could worsen the country’s ongoing health worker shortages by accelerating migration to countries offering better working conditions and compensation.

“A nation cannot lament the loss of medical professionals while simultaneously making medical training longer, more expensive and financially unsustainable,” the Society noted.

The Council called on government to maintain fair and timely remuneration for all medical interns, arguing that the payments recognize their contribution to service delivery while easing financial pressure on students and their families.

The issue has become increasingly important as Uganda grapples with growing concerns over brain drain, with many health professionals leaving for opportunities abroad.

A broader policy debate

The PSU’s intervention highlights the broader balancing act facing policymakers seeking to strengthen healthcare training while ensuring that reforms do not create unintended consequences.

Supporters of the National Education and Training for Health Policy argue that harmonizing training structures could improve workforce readiness and strengthen practical skills among graduates.

Critics, however, contend that reforms must be carefully planned, adequately funded and implemented in consultation with professional bodies responsible for maintaining standards.

For now, PSU insists that the current internship and registration framework remains in place and has advised students to focus on completing their academic programmes.

The Society says it will continue engaging government, universities and other stakeholders as discussions on curriculum reforms and implementation timelines continue.

As Uganda seeks to expand its health workforce and improve healthcare delivery, the debate underscores a fundamental question facing the sector: how to modernize training systems while preserving professional standards and protecting the welfare of future health workers.