[ad_1] The increasing registration fees for the Registration and Continuing Education Program (RPS) have had a significant impact on student pharmacists. The mechanism behind the RPS is to regulate the practice of pharmacy and Allied health professionals in Nigeria. The program allows for growth and development of the profession by ensuring that pharmacists practice under the strictest ethical and legal guidelines while keeping up with the latest trends in the field. With the benefits that the RPS brings to the healthcare industry, an increase in the registration fee should result in better performance of pharmacists and greater outcomes for patients. However, student pharmacists are the ones that have been mostly affected by the increase as they face stronger financial burdens while trying to pay for their studies.

One of the impacts of the RPS registration fee increases on student pharmacists has been a reduction in the number of people who are qualifying as pharmacists. This decrease in the number of people who are entering the profession is partly due to the financial and emotional stress that students face in meeting the increased fees. Many students find it difficult to pay for their course fees and RPS registration fees all at once, leading to a delay or a halt in their studies. As a result, student pharmacists who could have contributed to the profession’s growth are unable to do so, and the industry is left with fewer educated professionals.

The increased fees have also affected the proficiency levels of student pharmacists. With less time to commit to academic study due to their part-time job commitment and the added burden of academic fees and RPS registration fees, students may not be able to keep up with the required standards of the profession. RPS registration fees often come at a time when students need to meet other costs such as rent, food, and transport, which can leave them with fewer funds to dedicate to educational expenses. As a result, failure rates may increase, and the quality of pharmacy education may decrease.

Finally, the increase in RPS registration fees has contributed to the financial burden of student pharmacists. With a minimum wage that is barely enough to make ends meet, student pharmacists are forced to acquire loans to finance their academic expenses, while others work multiple jobs. The RPS fees add extra pressure on these students, and some have resulted in working more to cover the fees, which further impacts their academic performance.

In conclusion, the increased RPS registration fees have had a significant impact on student pharmacists. The fees have made it difficult for them to meet academic obligations, and they have added to the already existing financial burden on students. An increase in fees is necessary for the growth and development of the profession, but the manner in which the increase occurs should be reviewed to reduce the impact on student pharmacists. Essential steps must be taken to ensure that the fees are not prohibiting the emergence of potential pharmacists who could elevate the profession’s excellence.[ad_2]