Register as a Pharmacist in Lithuania

Valstybinė vaistų kontrolės tarnyba or State Medicine Control Agency

In Lithuania, the pharmacy profession is meticulously regulated to ensure the highest standards of patient care and safety. At the forefront of this regulatory framework stands the State Medicines Control Agency (SMCA), a pivotal institution entrusted with overseeing and enforcing pharmaceutical regulations across the country. With a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity and quality of pharmaceutical services, the SMCA plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health by monitoring the production, distribution, and dispensing of medicines while also licensing and regulating pharmacies and pharmacists. Through its comprehensive oversight and regulatory efforts, the SMCA upholds the highest standards of professionalism and ensures that pharmacies adhere to stringent guidelines, thereby fostering trust and confidence in the healthcare system.

Application Instruction

The Office evaluates and acknowledges the professional qualifications of pharmacists or assistant pharmacists acquired from overseas. Applicants or their authorized representatives must submit an application along with the required documents, either in person or by post, to the Office at Studentų str. 45A, Vilnius. These documents should be in the prescribed format or accompanied by a notarized copy (or a copy certified by the law). Subsequently, the Office will dispatch the certificates to the applicant via mail or make them available for collection upon the applicant's arrival. Should the host country necessitate direct submission of the certificate, a copy will be sent to the applicant (or returned to the Office if preferred).

The Law on Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulated by the Republic of Lithuania, enacted by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on September 14, 2011, is complemented by the resolution no. 1069 of the same date, titled "On the recognition of regulated professional qualifications of citizens of third countries." Further provisions are outlined in the November 29, 2019 order no. (1.4) 1A-1796 by the Head of the Service, approving the description of the procedure for recognizing the professional qualifications of pharmacists and pharmacists' assistants (pharmacotechnicians) acquired by citizens of third countries. Additionally, the November order (unspecified) by the Head of the Service addresses the establishment of the professional qualification evaluation commission for pharmacists and pharmacists' assistants (pharmacotechnicians), including its provisions and the approval of the application form for evaluating and recognizing the professional qualifications in this field.

The applicant or his authorized person submits to the Office an application in the prescribed form for the assessment and recognition of the professional qualification of a pharmacist, pharmacist's assistant (pharmacotechnician) (hereinafter referred to as the application) and the specified documents or their copies (copies of documents must be approved in accordance with the procedure established by legislation):

The organizational tasks are overseen by Milda Stukaitė, the Advisor for Personnel Management at the State Drug Control Service under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania. For inquiries, Ms. Stukaitė can be reached at (8 683) 13 968 or via email at MildaStukaite@vvkt.lt.

Application Processing and Review time

The processing time for an application for the recognition of a pharmacist from outside the EU/EEA in Lithuania can vary depending on various factors such as the completeness of the application, the complexity of the case, and the workload of the relevant authorities. Typically, it may be served within three (3) months to complete the evaluation process

Upon receipt of the applicant's or their authorized representative's application and documents, the Office promptly forwards them to the Commission within 3 working days. Any missing or additional documents or information must be provided to the Office within 3 months from the date of the Office's request, which does not count towards the decision-making deadline. The Service is entitled to seek additional information from institutions in third countries or within the European Union, European Economic Area, or Swiss Confederation regarding the applicant's formal qualifications. If no response is received within 3 months, or an incomplete response is received, the Service may reapply. The Commission evaluates the application and documents and proposes one of three decisions to the Office: recognition of professional qualifications, refusal with motivated reasons, or assignment of a professional aptitude test. The Office makes a reasoned decision within 3 months from the date of receiving all necessary documents.

Fee involved in the process

The initial document assessment with the State Medicines Control Agency (SMCA) of Lithuania comes at no cost, as the service is provided free of charge for all applicants. This policy ensures accessibility and fairness in the evaluation process, allowing individuals seeking recognition of their professional qualifications as pharmacists to proceed without financial barriers. By offering this service without fees, the SMCA promotes inclusivity and facilitates the integration of qualified pharmacists from outside the EU/EEA into the Lithuanian healthcare system, enhancing diversity and expertise within the profession.

Language Requirements

To register as a non-EEA/EU qualified pharmacist in Latvia, proficiency in the Latvian language is typically required. Since pharmacy involves direct interaction with patients and healthcare professionals, a strong command of the local language is essential for effective communication and ensuring the safety of patients. Additionally, some documentation and exams related to the registration process may be conducted in Latvian. It's advisable to check with the Latvian Pharmacist Association or relevant regulatory authorities for specific language requirements and any potential exemptions that may apply.

Documents Required

For individuals seeking recognition of professional qualifications for independent and permanent professional practice in Lathuania, the following documents must be submitted to the State Medicines control agency:

1. A valid identity document;

2. Documentation pertaining to any changes in surname or name, if applicable;

3. Evidence of formal qualifications, including details of subjects studied and credit hours earned, if applicable;

4. A certificate of academic recognition and/or evaluation of higher education qualifications obtained abroad, issued by the Study Quality Assessment Center;

5. Records verifying the applicant's professional experience and duration, if applicable;

6. Documents indicating any professional qualification upgrades completed by the applicant, if applicable;

7. Any additional documents attesting to the applicant's professional qualifications, if available;

8. A power of attorney, if the application is being submitted by an authorized representative.

In addition to the application, translations of documents listed in points 2, 3, 5-8 into Lithuanian must be provided. These translations should be certified by the translator's signature and/or the seal of the translation office.

The Commission, whose composition is sanctioned by the Head of the Service, possesses the authority to request from the applicant or their authorized representative any missing and/or supplementary documents pertinent to the evaluation of their professional qualifications. Moreover, the Service retains the right to reach out to institutions in third countries or entities within the European Union, European Economic Area, or Swiss Confederation to obtain further information regarding the applicant's formal qualifications or related documents. The Secretary of the Commission communicates the Office's outreach to the applicant or their authorized representative in written form.

Using and Agent or Assistant

When submitting applications to the State Medicines Control Agency of Lithuania, applicants will directly interact with the institution. However, applicants have the option to designate an agent or representative to act on their behalf throughout the application process. In such instances, the appointed agent or representative must provide a power of attorney document confirming their authority to act on behalf of the applicant. This document can be transmitted electronically or sent by mail by the applicant, clearly indicating the individual's authorization to act on their behalf in the application process. It's important to note that attorneys-at-law and public legal aid attorneys are exempt from this requirement unless specifically requested.

If you need assistance with your application to the State Medicines Control Agency of Lithuania, our services are available to you. We are here to support you at every stage of the process. You can reach us via phone (WhatsApp) at +358 46 9406962 or email us at contact.european.pharmacist@gmail.com.

Official website

To access the official online portal for submitting applications and accessing important resources, please visit the following link of the State Medicines Control Agency of Lithuania

We encourage applicants to utilize this online resource for a streamlined and up-to-date information.

Trained in EU/EEA?

This information is intended solely for pharmacists trained outside the EU/EEA. Pharmacists trained within the EU/EEA are directed to follow the provided link https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/professional-qualifications/european-professional-card/index_en.htm for relevant guidance and procedures.