For foreign pharmacists who graduated after 2003

[notinal]

Hello everyone! I actually posted here before asking about eligibility to take the FPGEE if I'm taking a Doctor of Pharmacy Program. Unfortunately, it was deleted because of textese? (I really don't know how that happened when I'm very clear about what I said there.) Oh well, so here I am again hoping to find some answers. I'm graduating from the Doctor of Pharmacy program (2-year post-baccalaureate) here in our country this March and now I honestly don't know where I am heading to. I'm a registered Pharmacist in my country but I haven't got the chance to practice my profession yet since I immediately pursued the PharmD program. We have received an information that even if you took an additional 2-year program (PharmD) to make up for the minimum of 5-year pharmacy curriculum study they still won't allow you to take the FPGEE. Reason? Because they are very particular to that of 5-year "CONTINUOUS" study. So, can anyone tell me what can we possibly do? Does that mean we really can't be eligible to take the exam anymore? Beginning this year (2008) Pharmacy schools here in my country have made the curriculum back to 5 years. I just don't find it fair, we are finding solutions to be eligible (as we thought) that is, to take post graduate programs but now it feels like every hardship is going into waste. I even wrote a few times to NABP asking what shall I do, I even asked for their opinion regarding the program even before I took it. I only received the same answer, "Contact the state where you are planning to practice as they can tell you what you should do." I'm not even after the state boards yet, I'm just after the FPGEE. Isn't it that the NABP is the one handling the FPGEE? So why can't they give us any definite answer? Now I'm thinking, do pharmacy graduates between year 2003-2008 can never have their professions practiced in the US?

If anyone have the same situation who was able to take the FPGEE, PLEASE... Help us to be enlightened here. Thank you in advance! God bless.

[goldbird]

Hi dear,
Your post is not clear enough...
1) Where are you graduated from?
2) How many years you studied pharmacy after the two years pre-pharmacy after the 2-years post-baccalaureate)?
3) What is shown on your ECE evaluation :
a. Your diploma is equivalent to a BS of pharmacy or a Doctor of pharmacy? what is your major and what did the ECE report say?
b. How many years the pharmacy program takes in your country (4,5 or 6 years) including the 2 years post-baccalaureate?

Best regards.

[notinal]

Hi goldbird! First of all thanks for the reply, at least somebody actually said something back. Regarding my post, here's the deal:

1)I graduated from the Philippines
2)4-year BS Pharmacy Degree (There's no such thing as pre-pharmacy here. Immediately after high school, you'll enter the 4-year curriculum then graduate with a BS degree)
3)a. According to ECE, the BS Program here is equivalent to their high school and the Doctor of Pharmacy Program is equivalent to that of their BS Program.
b. Normally, it will take you 4 years of study then you'll take the licensing in order to become a pharmacist here. It's really up to you if you'll choose to take the post baccalaureate degree (PharmD) after for 2 more years. Basically for my case, I have a total of 6 years Pharmacy Program.

I hope this makes sense. Thanks again. God bless.

[yannl]

Hi Notinal! I am from the Philippines too, however I graduated before 2003. I think it is worth a try to send all your documents to ECE for evaluation. Sometimes they need to see all the courses you took to judge if you are eligible to take the FPGEE. From their response to you, you can plan what to do next. If still they say you lack all the required courses, then there is no other option but to enroll in a pharmacy school here in the US to get your PharmD. Hope this helps.

[notinal]

Hello yannl! Thanks. Actually, it was not I who took the evaluation from ECE but a student from the previous batch of my PharmD program. I guess I'll probably send all records regarding my educational background to make it clearer right? Regards.

[annelvis]

hi notinal! we have the same case. i also graduated from the phils. what happen to your evaluation? i also would like to take the fpgee exam. thanks!

[canadian in florida]

Hello,

A friend of mine graduated after 2003 from a 4-year Bachelors of Pharmacy program in Canada. She too, had trouble with getting approval to sit for the FPGEE. What she did was contact the the Pharmacy Dean from the states University that she was moving to, in this case Ohio. He wrote a letter on her behalf to NABP, stating that her schooling in Canada (University of Toronto) was equivalent to the entry level Pharm D in the state of Ohio, and that she be allowed to sit for the exam. Long story short, she was able to sit for the exam.

There are a lot of hoops that must be jumped through, but you may be successful. I suggest contacting the Pharmacy Dean of your state.

Good luck.

[jvvora]

Hi,

Can you please give me more information about what exactly she did?

Thankyou

[Dinu77]

Hi,
I am in same situation. I graduate from India in 2007. (4 year B.Pham). ECE evaluate as B.S. Pharmaceutical science but NABP denied to sit for FPGEE because my school is not 5 year. Even I compleated my Pre-Pharmacy In US.
I am still finding solution?
Please Advice.
Thanks
Dinu77

[Aussiepharmer]

Hi,
I am in same situation. I graduate from India in 2007. (4 year B.Pham). ECE evaluate as B.S. Pharmaceutical science but NABP denied to sit for FPGEE because my school is not 5 year. Even I compleated my Pre-Pharmacy In US.
I am still finding solution?
Please Advice.
Thanks
Dinu77

http://www.urch.com/forums/fpgee/108...3-1-pre-u.html (Accepted to write FPGEE with 4 year BPharm after 2003 + 1 pre-U)

Hi Dinu77,
Read the posts for the above link. This applicant was accepted to sit for the FPGEE with his prepharmacy + 4 yr degree after 2003. Why didn't the NABP accept you even with your prepharmacy + 4 yr degree?