Proposal of the Implementation of an International Pharmacy Graduate Preliminary Examination

Kyenghee Kwon,Jinwoong Kim,Jeoung Hill Park,Seung Ki Lee

doi:10.3352/jeehp.2008.5.2

Kyenghee Kwon, Jinwoong Kim + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2008.5.2

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Abstract

At present, graduates of international pharmacy schools can apply to take the Korean Pharmacist Licensing Examination after passing a review by the Accreditation Board of the Pharmacy Schools and Licenses. However, since the educational content of different schools and the roles of pharmacists differ from country to country, a preliminary examination might be necessary before the Pharmacist Licensing Examination. To prepare to implement a preliminary examination for foreign pharmacy graduates in Korea, we summarized the preliminary examinations used in four other countries and presented a proposal for a preliminary examination. Data were collected via the internet and through telephone interviews with appropriate persons. The proposal was revised after a public forum. There are preliminary examinations in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and these involve written, oral, practice, and English proficiency tests. We proposed that the Korean preliminary examination consist of a written test on basic pharmacy, a test in the Korean language, and an interview. The preliminary examination should include suitable items that effectively evaluate international graduates. Graduates of international pharmacy schools who have an ability equivalent to graduates of Korean pharmacy schools should be eligible to write the Korean Licensing Examination.

Highlights

In the era of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and free trade agreements (FTA), the mutual accreditation of medical health personnel is a topic of negotiation
Preliminary examinations are held in the USA, Great Britain, Australia, and Canada, and include written, oral, practice, and English-proficiency tests
We suggest that the Korean preliminary examination consist of a test of proficiency in the Korean language, a written test on the basics of pharmacy, and an interview

Summary

Introduction

In the era of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and free trade agreements (FTA), the mutual accreditation of medical health personnel is a topic of negotiation. Some nations have adopted preliminary or equivalency examinations for international graduates of pharmacy schools. The USA limits candidates for the preliminary examination to graduates of pharmacy schools with 5-yr programs. Graduates of international pharmacy schools can apply to sit the Korean Pharmacist Licensing Examination without taking part in an interview or preliminary examination, after passing a review by the Accreditation Board of the Pharmacy Schools and Licenses. Since the educational content of international schools and the roles of pharmacists differ from country to country, a system of accreditation, such as a preliminary examination, might be necessary before allowing graduates of foreign schools to write the Pharmacist Licensing Examination. The Pharmacist Licensing Examination evaluates whether candidates have sufficient knowledge to work as pharmacists in Korea, other factors should

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