pharmacy study

Top 5 Countries to Study Pharmacy Abroad

Top 5 Countries to Study Pharmacy Abroad

 

1) USA:

USA

Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in the USA:

The USA is home to many prestigious universities delivering unique, versatile and flexible pedagogical methods for students to devour in-depth knowledge in every aspect of their study. Being a global leader in the educational sector, the US has many world-renowned universities and a unique education system for studying MS pharmacy. Many universities in the USA have contributed to the World with innovative technology and novel discoveries in several fields.

Moreover, Universities in the USA primarily focus on teaching more practical knowledge and real-world application of a particular study, ultimately preparing their students for future challenges and career growth. Over 25 universities rank in the top 100 in World QS, and above 50 of 200 top universities are housed in the USA. The US is superior in advanced technology and research; gaining knowledge from leading scholars in the pharmacy field is a blessing. If you choose to study in the US, it will be a life-changer experience for you.  

The pharmacy sector in the USA is constantly growing, and the demand for pharmacists is rising daily. In such a scenario, if you want to make your career in the pharmacy sector in the USA, then MS in Pharmacy in the USA is the right choice in laying a base for a bright career.

Top universities of the USA to study MS in Pharmacy:

  • University of Michigan
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Buffalo
  • University of Georgia
  • Arizona State University
  • North East University
  • Ohio State University
  • University of Texas
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Houston

Top best MS Pharmacy course to pursue in the USA:

  • Master of Science in Pharmacology
  • Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutics
  • Master of Science in Pharmacognosy
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry
  • Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Marketing
  • Master of Science in Pharmacy Practice

Pros and cons of studying in the USA:

Entry requirements:

To study master of Pharmacy in the USA, students must have completed 3-4 years of Bachelor’s in Pharmacy degree, IELTS/TOEFL score, GRE score, minimum GPA score of 3.0 or 65%-70% in Bachelor’s degree, mark sheets, academic transcripts, SOPs and LORs. To become a licensed Pharmacist, a student should hold Pharm.D to become eligible for applying for the licensing process in the USA.

Toughness of getting admission: 

Sometimes it becomes pretty challenging to get admission to some of the most prestigious and reputed universities because of the growing competition of studying the famous course in a particular college or university.

Employment opportunity:

Ample job opportunities are available in various pharma sectors in the USA. Once students have completed their postgraduate studies, they can apply for research, medical sales representative, formulation development and quality control jobs.

On the other hand, you are not eligible to become a registered pharmacist or apply for the pharmacy registration process unless you have a PharmD qualification. Therefore B.Pharm degree holders cannot hold a career as a pharmacist in the USA.

Chances of getting PR:

PR in the USA is only possible when you get a sponsored job and a work visa to work in the USA. However, it is pretty challenging to get PR because of its complicated process.

2) Canada:

canada

Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in Canada:

Canada is the safest place to lead a quality life. Canada is the favourite study destination for many students. In Canada, most of the population holds educational degrees, making it the most educated country in the World. Apart from this, the cost of studying, higher standard of living, more excellent employment opportunities and faster way and a higher chance of getting PR to make Canada the best study destination compared to other countries. Also, living and studying costs are much lower than in other countries.

The education system in Canada is designed in a way that students get the most out of the practical training and get skilled and become competent enough to acquire their dream job. In Canada, many private and public-funded colleges and universities offer various courses for students to choose from. Educational qualifications from Canada are recognized globally and are accepted almost all over the World. About 27 universities in Canada are ranked among the World’s top 100 universities.

Top colleges/universities of Canada to study MS in Pharmacy:

  • Durham College
  • Fanshawe College
  • Mohawk College
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Montreal
  • University of Saskatchewan

Top best MS Pharmacy course to pursue in Canada:

  • Master of Science in Pharmacology
  • Master of Science in Applied Clinical Pharmacology
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences – Biomedical Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Master of Science in Pharmacology Therapeutics
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Pharmaceutical Science (Graduate Certificate Course)
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical and Food Science Technology

Pros and cons of studying in Canada:

Entry requirements: 

To study master’s in Pharmacy in Canada, students need a bachelor’s degree from the recognized institutes, IELTS scores, SOPs, LORs, and all the qualification documents such as academic transcripts, mark sheets, etc.

Toughness of getting admission:

t is not quite challenging to get admission to Canadian colleges/universities. However, if you wish to study in one of the best colleges/universities, it is advisable to start applying as early as possible.

Employment opportunities:

There are several jobs available for master’s graduates in Canada with good salaries. After two years of the master’s program, you get three years of post-study work visa. During that period, you can start a job and get a chance to take a pharmacist licensing exam and become a registered pharmacist in Canada.

Chances of getting PR: 

Getting PR in Canada is relatively easy compared to other countries. You need to work for one year after completing your degree in Canada. After that, you are eligible for one of the immigration streams that will help process your visa into Canadian PR.

3) UK:

Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in the UK:

Studying in the UK immensely helps students build a successful career in Pharmacy and live a better lifestyle. There are ample scopes for pharmacy students after completing a master’s degree in Pharmacy in the United Kingdom. The UK is a country with the best education system and significant research opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector. The majority of big Pharma companies have based their research in the UK. After completing a master’s program in the best universities in the UK, students can have a chance to get training or a job in such companies.

Most of the pharmacy universities in Great Britain are globally recognized and ranked in top positions in the QS world ranking lists. In the UK, the pharmacist profession is the third largest healthcare profession, and pursuing a pharmacy career in the UK presents students with an opportunity of having high-paying positions in different pharmaceutical sectors.

A postgraduate degree from the prestigious universities of the UK and work experience reflected in your CV itself opens the door for better job opportunities even anywhere in the World. There are a variety of postgraduate specializations in Pharmacy with better educational facilities such as laboratories equipped with advanced instruments and library resources.

Top colleges/universities of the UK to study MS in Pharmacy:

  • King’s College London
  • University of Brighton
  • Aston University
  • University of Greenwich
  • Kingston University
  • De Montfort University
  • University of Sunderland
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of East London
  • Coventry University
  • University of Glasgow

Top best MS Pharmacy course to pursue in the UK:

  • Master of Science in Pharmacology
  • OSPAP
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Master of Science in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis, Technology and Biopharmaceuticals
  • Master of Science in Molecular Pharmacology

Pros and cons of studying in the UK:

Entry requirements:

For master’s application, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a recognized university, an IELTS overall band score of 6.5 or 7, resume, SOPs, LORs, academic qualification documents such as academic transcript, mark sheets, etc. To get admission to the OSPAP course, candidates need a GPhC approval letter, IELTS overall band score, and a registered pharmacist in their home country.

Toughness to get admissions:

Applying for admissions in the UK is not that difficult unless you study several competitive courses in some best universities. In that case, it is advisable to make sure your SOPs are robust and apply for admission on time.

Employment opportunity:

The UK is a growing pharmaceutical research and development hub, which opens a door for research enthusiasts to make a promising career in the research fields. Moreover, numerous pharmaceutical jobs are available with handsome salaries to further a career in Pharmacy.

For those who wish to become a registered pharmacist, once you have a university offer letter and approval letter from GPhC, you can find a job before joining a university as a part of your registration process to complete the 52 weeks training period. After that, once you pass the pre-registration assessment test (OSPAP exam), depending upon the individual’s choice, a candidate can continue working as a licensed pharmacist at the same place where they got training or change.

Chances of getting PR:

It is pretty challenging to get PR unless you manage to get a sponsored job for five years. To get PR in the UK, candidates must have lived in the UK for five years (excluding study visas and post-study work visas). Once you are a licensed pharmacist and get a job for up to 5 years, you can work on a work permit for five straight years. After that, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK for PR.

4) Australia:

australia

Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in Australia:

Australia is a favourite study destination for many students who wish to have a successful career abroad. Students get a good standard of living and a world-class education system while residing in Australia.

Australia is highly reputed in terms of education with highly educated people. More than 20 Australian universities are ranked under the top 500 in QS world rankings, six being ranked in the top 100. Universities in Australia provide a wide range of courses for students to choose from, with courses designed so that students can learn each aspect of their interests to build a bright future.

The Australian degree is highly recognized globally because of its renowned education system. Many pharmacy institutes offer several pharmacy courses for aspirants who want to pursue their postgraduate studies in Australia. Therefore, Australia is a go-to destination for students who wish to have a successful pharmacy career, experience their career growth, and have a better standard of living in an incredibly diverse culture. Studying in Australia will help me get better employability globally.

Top colleges/universities of Australia to study MS in Pharmacy:

  • University of Queensland
  • University of South Australia
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Canberra
  • University of Newcastle
  • University of Tasmania
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Monash University
  • Griffith University

Top best MS Pharmacy course to pursue in Australia:

  • Master of Science in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy
  • Master of Science in Radiopharmaceutical Science
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pros and cons of studying in Australia:

Entry Requirements:

Students must have completed a B. Pharm degree. TOEFL and IELTS overall band score of 7.5 (May vary). Other required academic qualification documents include academic transcripts, mark sheets, LORs and SOPs. Students must be registered pharmacists in their home country.

Toughness to get admission:

It is not that hard to get admission to a master’s program. Nevertheless, careful planning and applying on time make it even easier to get admission to the university/college of your choice.

Employment opportunity:

Students get jobs in various pharmaceutical sectors with a good pay scale. After completing their studies, students get two years of post-study work visa, which will help them make a promising career. To become a pharmacist, you will need to pass the licensing examination in Australia.

Chance of getting PR:

To apply for a General skilled migration visa, you must enrol for a two-year study program, and after that, you must have work experience. This will earn you points, and you can apply for PR with several other requirements if you meet the eligibility criteria.

In Australia, there is a massive chance for international pharmacists to settle permanently because of the ever-increasing demand for pharmacists. You can become a pharmacist and then apply for a General skilled migration visa and get a chance for PR. Employer Sponsorship is also an alternate way to get a chance at Australian PR.

5) New Zealand:

Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in New Zealand:

New Zealand is among the World’s safest and happiest countries, with attractive green forests and vegetation. Apart from being the safest country, the education system delivered in New Zealand is a globally recognized UK-based teaching method which attracts more students from different countries. New Zealand education provides students with in-depth learning methodologies and industrial and practical training to excel in their careers across any corner of the World. Students learn all the necessary aspects of their studies, which help them sharpen their required skill sets for future career challenges and opportunities.

Students aiming to study master’s or PhD in Pharmacy to build their pharmacy career in New Zealand have ample opportunities. Universities of New Zealand provide world-class educational facilities in Pharmacy studies with highly educated teachers and professors. Universities in New Zealand are ranked in the top 100 by the QS world ranking system.

Top colleges/universities of New Zealand to study MS in Pharmacy:

  • University of Auckland
  • University of Otago
  • New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA)
  • Academy New Zealand
  • Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Top best MS Pharmacy course to pursue in New Zealand:

  • Master of Clinical Pharmacy
  • Master of Science in Pharmacology
  • New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician)
  • Postgraduate Certificate Course in Health sciences (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
  • Pharmacy Technician Program

Pros and cons of studying in New Zealand:

Entry Requirements:

Students must have completed a B. Pharm degree and be registered pharmacists in their home country. Academic transcripts and mark sheets, LORs, SOPS, etc. TOEFL/IELTS overall band score of 7.5 (May vary).

Toughness to get admission:

Getting admission in one of the master’s programs in New Zealand is not that difficult compared to other countries.

Employment opportunity:

Students get jobs in various pharmaceutical sectors. There is a great demand for graduates and skilled workers in the healthcare sector. Therefore, employment chances are pretty high.

To become a pharmacist, you need to pass the KAPS licensing examination.

Chance of getting PR:

To get a PR in New Zealand, you should have a sponsored job offer and additional requirements. You can apply for the PR once you meet the requirements. New Zealand provides two types of post-study work visas: Open and employer-assisted.

Conclusion:

Easy PR – Canada: 

Canada is the best country in terms of the sound quality of life, PR and a safe place to lead a happy and successful life. Moreover, the cost of living and tuition fee is much cheaper than the education and living cost of other countries.

Canada for easy PR and cheaper education costs:

  • Getting PR in Canada is relatively easy compared to other countries.
  • However, getting admission to a master’s program in Canada is challenging.
  • Once you have completed your study in Canada, have excellent English language, and one 1-year professional job experience, you become eligible to apply for PR in Canada.
  • However, there are some criteria that you need to meet, and you are ranked based on the points you gain from your educational credentials and get selected (or get an Invitation) to apply for the PR.

For research career- USA:

The USA is the best destination for aspirants who want to make their career in research and development. It is not a hidden fact that the USA is a thriving country in the field of innovations and research in every field of education. There are ample opportunities to join research fellowships after completing masters and PhD programs in the USA.

For a career as a Pharmacist- UK and Australia:

B.Pharm students who wish to become a pharmacist, Australia and the UK are the best options. With careful planning and focus, it becomes easy to pass the licensing exam and build a successful career as a licensed Pharmacist.

For master’s program – UK, USA and Australia:

Universities in the UK, the USA and Australia provide various courses and specializations to pursue master’s degrees. These three countries are good options for students who wish to enroll in a master’s program in the finest specializations. You can have a chance to study a research-based master’s program or a taught master’s program. Under the guidance of the best educators, students will have a chance to acquire the best knowledge and become competent in their field of interest. Therefore, a master’s degree in the UK, the USA and Australia is worth considering for students who want more knowledge in a particular subject.

You are still confused about what to do after your B.Pharm studies?

Well, contact Pharmavision and let your queries be answered by the expert counsellor and get guidance on the right path for your bright and valuable career. We have helped many students before and are always here to help you clear your confusion about which course or country to choose. Don’t hesitate and contact Pharmavision for better pharmacy career counselling.

Top 5 Countries to Study Pharmacy Abroad   1) USA: Several reasons for studying Pharmacy in the USA: The USA is home to many prestigious universities delivering unique, versatile and flexible pedagogical methods for students to devour in-depth knowledge in every aspect of their study. Being a global leader in the educational sector, the US […]

Practice as a Pharmacist in the USA

Practice as a Pharmacist in the USA

Practice as a Pharmacist in the USA

Students who wish to work as a pharmacist in the USA either need to pursue PharmD in the USA or the international pharmacy graduates being registered in their home country can apply for the licensing exam. Both PharmD graduates and foreign qualified/registered pharmacists need to sit licensing examinations in the USA. Practice as a Pharmacist in the United States To become a registered pharmacist in the USA, students need to clear the FPGEE (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination), NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination), and MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination). Before that candidates need to follow certain steps.

Requirements:

  • Must have completed PharmD/ Minimum continued 5-Year pharmacy curriculum (Not 6 years combining BPharm + M.Pharm according to Indian qualifications)
  • TOEFL i-BT passing standard scores: L-21, R-22, W-24, S-26
  • Acceptance Certificate from FPGEC via NABP

In order to apply for  FPGEC certification, candidates need to create an account on NABP.

  • Step-1: Create an NABP profile and submit all requested documents and complete the FPGEC Certification application.
  • Step-2: Pay the fees via debit or credit card at the time of submitting an application. The FPGEC fee is $550 (non-refundable), which includes administrative and evaluation fees. Follow the below steps to complete FPGEC certification:
    • Step-I: After payment, you need to fill out the FPGEC Attestation document that you can download from the NABP website and send by mail. You will need to submit your fresh two passport-size photographs attached with the attestation form. This FPGEC Attestation form should be posted.
    • Step-II: Apply for ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) document evaluation. Documents to be verified:

Submit all official transcripts of your schooling and bachelor’s degree signed and stamped by pharmacy college officials. Official proof of Degree.

  • Step-C: You need to submit your pharmacist license or proof of ID as a supporting document for ECE evaluation. Your documentation should be signed by an authorized person.
  • NOTE: Your name should be the same on each of your documents and the documents should be in English.

Practice as a Pharmacist in the US

  • Step-3: Registering for the FPGEE exam:

FPGEE examination is for evaluating foreign pharmacy graduates for granting FPGEC certification and to measure the knowledge of applicants in the following main areas:

    • 35% – Clinical Sciences
    • 33% – Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • 22% – Social/Behavioral/Administrative Sciences
    • 10% – Basic Components

FPGEE is conducted once a year and the examination comprises 400 questions and the test duration is 4.5 hours. You are eligible for FPGEE when your status for the FPGEC application is changed to accepted. Registration steps are as followed:

    • Step-I: Login to your NABP profile and click on purchase for selecting the test date.
    • Step-II: Follow the instructions and pay the FPGEE fee of $650. (Retaking exam fee is $750).
    • Step-III: Receiving Authorisation to Test (ATT) via mail. ATT contains information and instructions related to scheduling your test. After receiving ATT, you will receive an FPGEE Identification Card (FIC). The FIC will be used as your primary ID for the FPGEE exam.
    • Step-IV: Schedule your exam within the time frame mentioned in your ATT. You can schedule your test via phone. After scheduling, you will get a confirmation letter with information on your test center and other instructions.
    • NOTE: On test day, arrive early, and do not forget to bring your FIC and other primary IDs such as passports.
    • You will be given two breaks of 15 minutes after every 90 minutes during the period of 4.5 hours.
    • FPGEE Scores: After 8 weeks of the exam, your scores will be available on your e-profile. The minimum passing score is 75 on a score scale of 0 to 150. On failing you can retake within 2 years of your acceptance period.

After completing the FPGEE exam you have to pass TOEFL-iBT and complete 1500 hours of internship, and then you become eligible to apply for NAPLEX and MPJE.

  • Step-4: Applying for NAPLEX: NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) is an examination created by NABP. It is an online computer-based examination. You can apply for NAPLEX and MPJE through your NABP e-profile. You have to fill out an application form for both the exams and the application fee for both is $100. You need to apply for eligibility via submitting transcripts. Once you get eligibility, within 10 days of it you have to book an exam through your NABP e-profile. The examination fees are NAPLEX- $475 and MPJE: $150. You will get your result after 14 days of the test with a pass or fail status on your NABP profile. You must score not less than 75 to pass the NAPLEX test.
  • Step-5: Apply for the licensure process in the state you wish to practice as a pharmacist.

Practice as a Pharmacist in the USA Students who wish to work as a pharmacist in the USA either need to pursue PharmD in the USA or the international pharmacy graduates being registered in their home country can apply for the licensing exam. Both PharmD graduates and foreign qualified/registered pharmacists need to sit licensing examinations […]

Pharmacy Technician in Hospital or Medical Shop

Pharmacy Technician: Courses | Certifications | Requirements | Salary | Jobs | Role

Pharmacy Technician: Courses | Certifications | Requirements | Salary | Jobs | Role

Deciding to pursue a specific career option can be considered as one of the most crucial and important decisions in one’s life. Choosing a particular field, stream or subject is no joke. It requires passion, dedication, and efforts to ascertain that a student is going to embrace that one field for the rest of his or her life. Hence, student has to make an informed decision about the career path he or she aspires to follow.

Pharmacy Technician in Hospital or Medical Shop

Role of Pharmacy Technician in Hospital Pharmacy and Community Pharmacy:

The profession of pharmacy in all developed countries including Canada is very different compared to the developing countries like India. In Canada, the role of a pharmacist does not end at just the reading prescriptions and dispensing the medication. Rather, they even possess the authority to evaluate prescriptions and able to make positive impact in the clinical judgment process. Further, the systems with which medications that are manufactured and sold are not the same as in India. Pharmacy is one of the challenging health-care filed, in last few decades profession has grown exponentially, in terms of role and responsibilities of the pharmacist. Earlier, Pharmacist was only involved in dispensing the medicines but now pharmacist is a key healthcare team member who is primarily focused on cognitive service providing.  Due to this radical shift of the pharmacist role have created Pharmacy technician as a regulated profession. Because, Now Pharmacist is mainly involves in clinical task and Pharmacy Technician is responsible for all the technical and business task like prescription check, dispensing, patient counseling , business management related activities.

What is Pharmacy Technician Job Description?

Pharmacy technician is involved in various technical activities like receiving the prescription, checking and verifying the prescription, dispensing the order, maintain the patients record, counseling the patient for Over the counter medication and on behalf of pharmacist Pharmacy technician can work as a delegate of Pharmacist. After getting some special accreditations, Pharmacy technician are eligible to do some special task like nuclear formulation and special compounding activities. Other the core pharmacy activities, Pharmacy technician is actively engaged in all the business related activities like record keeping, ordering, human resource  management and taking care of insurance claim settlement. Additional, Pharmacy technician is also helping the pharmacist and other care professionals in the process of public health and disease prevention activities. Pharmacy technician is one of the important team members of the healthcare system in Canada.

What can a Pharmacy Technician do?

Life of Pharmacy Technician

Assisting the Pharmacist in the preparation of prescription

  • Receive Prescription and verifying the prescription
  • Preparation of Prescription labels
  • Dispensing the prescription by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring and mixing medications and Reconstituting medications
  • Affixing prescription and auxiliary labels to prescription containers
  • Pricing the prescription and Filing the records


Clerical activities like

  • Preparing and reconciling third party billings
  • Preparing receipts, invoices, letters, and memos, and general filing
  • Billing appropriate department for medication
  • Receiving and sending electronic communications


Inventory Management

  • Monitoring stock levels to ensure sufficient quantities for optimal operation
  • Preparing and placing orders from specified sources
  • Maintaining inventory records, including those for narcotics and controlled drugs
  • Rotating stock and monitoring expiry dates
  • Identifying expired products for disposal, destruction or return to manufacturer
  • Unit dose Prepackaging of medications


Other activities

  • Pharmacy Technicians helps with filling of incident reports for mistakes outside the pharmacy
  • Specially Certified to prepare injectable in a sterile environment including Chemotherapeutics and TPN

How to become registered Pharmacy Technician in abroad countries?

Pharmacy technician is a regulated profession in Canada, since 2015, the professional certification process is regulated by various organizations like CCAPP (Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) and PEBC (Pharmacy Examination Board of Canada). There are two step processes to get the license to practice as a registered Pharmacy technician,

Step -1   

  • To complete the Formal qualification of Pharmacy Technician course from any of the CCAPP (CCAPP – Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) approved college

Step-2

  • After successfully passing the Course, Candidate has to register and seat for the Pharmacy Technician qualifying examination

After passing the examination candidate will awarded a license to practice as a pharmacy Technician.

How to select right College for Pharmacy Technician Program?

There are more than 50 different colleges offering CCAPP approved pharmacy technician program in Canada. The right and most appropriate college selection is the crucial step for all the students but it is especially very important for international students. Various factors need to consider before selection of your prospective College and course. Some of the important criteria are as below

  1. Accreditations of the Program

First and most crucial step before selection of the right college is to check the program is approved by the CCAPP or not. If the program is not approved by CCAPP then candidates are not eligible for licensing examinations.

  1. Privet Vs Community College

There are over 5o different institutes are offering Pharmacy technician program in Canada, which are range from privet colleges, Community colleges and Polytechnics.  These institutes are offering Pharmacy technician program for domestic as well as international students. Being an International student, Candidate has to be very careful for selection of the type of institute. We have to select the institute which makes us eligible for getting post study work permit. After completion of program from Private College are not eligible to get the post study work permit. Hence, we are strongly recommending selecting the community college or government polytechnic which makes you eligible for post study work permit.

  1. Program Duration

Generally, Pharmacy technician is a two years diploma program but some of the privet institutes are offering one year certificate program. As an international student, we have to select the two years full time diploma program because that make us eligible for 3 years post study work permit.

  1. Admission requirement for Pharmacy Technician

Every college has their own admission criteria; some of the colleges are not offering the program for international students. Other colleges are expecting the good grads in graduation or High school with specific subjects like mathematics in higher secondary, few colleges are considering the Pharmacy graduation Mathematics for the admission purpose. Some colleges are allowing the student to write the basic mathematics examination for admission. Still there are many colleges are offering admission for Pharmacy Technician without mathematics in higher secondary.

  1. Location of the College

When we are talking about location we have to think with two important viewpoints one is the Immigration possibilities and second is professional exposure during the study. Former one is point of state or provincial selection and letter one is to proximity of the college to hospital or other healthcare facilities. Pharmacy Technician is a professional program so during study candidate has to get the opportunity to find the work in healthcare facilities like community pharmacy, Hospital, age care center, long term care centers etc.  This exposure will change the outlook of the professional career. Hence we have to select the college, which is close to the area where hospital or other healthcare facilities are there to find out the training or field placement during the study.

  1. Tuition Fees

As an international student tuition fees is one of the most decision making parameter for college selection. There is huge difference in tuition fees of the same course, before you make final decision you must have to compare the tuition fees of the same program at different institutes.

Pharmacy Technician Salary

Pharmacy Technician Salary

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary

 

Statistical reports have shown that the field of pharmaceutical sciences is one among the highest paying jobs in Canada. The average pay in full-time employment in this field is CAD 25-30/- per hour means (CAD $50,000 to 60000/ Year), which generally increases depending upon factors like work experience, job performance, etc. Demand of the Pharmacy technician profession is growing exponentially because of various factors like low patient-to-pharmacist ratio, adding more professional responsibilities, increasing population and early onset of chronic diseases. Hence, this prompts many students to make their careers in this direction.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Pathway

Pharmacy Technician certification process is regulated by the Pharmacy Examination Board of Canada (PEBC). PEBC’s certification process comprised two steps like you must demonstrate completion of the educational requirements and pass both Parts of the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination. Candidates, who have graduated from a pharmacy technician or pharmacist program accredited by Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), would be considered ‘Direct-entry Candidates’ who are eligible to proceed immediately to the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination. Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination has two different parts like Objective type (multiple choice exams) and oral examination like (Objective clinical examination).  After completion of all the requirements, candidate is eligible to get license to practice as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada. For international candidates (either educated as pharmacy technicians or pharmacists abroad), there is a new evaluation process that is currently being developed which must be completed before becoming eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination.

Pharmacy Technician Certification process

International Students have two different three different routes to become Pharmacy Technician in Canada

  • After studying Pharmacy Technician from any of the CCAPP Approved Community College
  • Passing PEBC PharmacistEvaluating Examination (Direct Entry: Without studying Pharmacy Technician Course)
  • Based upon International Pharmacy degree evaluation

What is the Job Market for Pharmacy Technician?

Overall Pharmacy is one of the biggest domains of the employment because as a Pharmacy health professional you can work in Clinical settings, Industries, Research organization and laboratory facilities. Being a Pharmacy technician mainly they focused to work in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, critical care center, long term care centers, walk in clinics and many more healthcare facilities are available to work for pharmacy technician. Specially accredited pharmacist can work in various unique areas like compounding pharmacy or nuclear pharmacy and they are also certified to prepare Injectable in a sterile environment including Chemo/TPN   Registered Pharmacy technician can expect an employment in a retail pharmacy chain or in a hospital or clinical pharmaceutical setup and many more healthcare facilities. Qualified professionals in these arrangements get involved in tasks like prescription reading and handling, drug inventory and data management, patient counseling, etc. Some popular retail pharmacy chains like Shoppers’ Drug Mart, Rexall Pharmacy, PharmaSave. Apart from these options, eligible candidates can find themselves in places like:

  • Privately owned retail and community pharmacies
  • Medical clinics and hospitals

What should I consider while making the choice of Pharmacy Technician?

Each year, a multitude of students travel overseas from India for study purposes. The most preferred options of countries for students to pursue their studies are USA, Canada, Australia, and UK. Among this lot, Canada is growing to become among the most popular choices these days owing to its welcoming government and positive immigration policies. After completion of Pharmacy technician license in Canada candidate is eligible to get qualification of certification which can give them 50 points extra towards their federal immigration. Means, Pharmacy technician license will significantly increase the chance to get the permanent residency.

Can I be registered Pharmacy Technician without studying Pharmacy Technician diploma in Canada?

It is obvious that students would get such a question in their mind while exploring their career options. In fact, ideally it is expected that sincere students do consider this avenue of possibility as well in their mind as this helps in planning the forthcoming career journey in a better manner. According to Nitesh Viramgama, students and aspirants must not get dejected if they are not able to secure an admission for Pharmacy Technician course. Because, after completion of your pharmacy technician you have to seat for Pharmacy technician qualifying examination and international students, who pass the Pharmacist – PEBC evaluating examination are eligible for direct entry in to the Pharmacy technician qualifying examination without studying the diploma.

What if I do not crack PEBC- Pharmacy Technician Qualification Examination after my course?

This a mandatory step in order to get Pharmacy technician license, if you do not pass the qualifying examination, you are not allowed to work as a registered pharmacy technician in Canada.

Is the Pharmacy Technician a best course for international students?

No, if you have done Bachelor of Pharmacy or PharmD and you are a good student will to pass Pharmacist –PEBC examination then Pharmacy technician is not best choice. If you are a good pharmacy student and willing to build future in the field of industrial or management or research segment then Pharmacy technician is not best choice. But if you are average student then you might think about Pharmacy technician as an option.

What are the best courses for Indian Pharmacy Students in Canada?

More than 40 different courses are available in Canada for International students in various field of pharmacy including industry related like Pharmaceutical science, Food quality assurance, Biotechnology, Functional genomics and clinical consultation, Cannabis technology, cosmetic science, regulatory affairs, chemical analysis and various management programs like Health information management, Healthcare administration, Project management, Digital health, health informatics, research analyst. Course selection matrix need to be used with your aptitudes, strength, liking and your short term and long term goals.

Does my Bachelor of Pharmacy is valid in Canada?

Yes, 4 years bachelor of pharmacy is valid in Canada. On based upon you qualification you are eligible for Pharmacist licensing process you do not need to study any course in order to become registered pharmacist in Canada.

Pharmacy Technician: Courses | Certifications | Requirements | Salary | Jobs | Role