TRENDS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE NUMBER OF ROMANIAN AND FOREIGN PHARMACISTS WORKING IN ROMANIA DURING THE TIME FRAME OF 2018 TO 2027

The place of the pharmacist among the medical professions is intensely debated worldwide. In this research, we analysed a current issue for the Romanian pharmaceutical system regarding registering pharmacists in the College to obtain the right to practice in Romania. We used descriptive analysis and forecasting techniques for data obtained from the Romanian College of Pharmacists regarding the number of membership certificates issued between 2018 and March 2023, as well as to forecast the evolution of graduates from the Faculty of Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania. The main result of the research was the decreasing trend of the number of professionals practising pharmacy in Romania, an evolution that remained unchanged even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Migration management measures, training, development and maintenance of a more sustainable pharmaceutical workforce are needed, without which the national health system cannot provide quality services and effective treatments to meet the population's healthcare needs.

Automated summary

In this research, the decreasing trend of the number of professionals practicing pharmacy in Romania was analyzed, which remained unchanged even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures such as migration management, training, and development are necessary to maintain a sustainable pharmaceutical workforce and ensure a quality healthcare system.