AUSTRALIA
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The Australian Pharmacy Examining Committee (APEC) is a standing committee of the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). APEC (also known as the Examining Committee) assists overseas-trained pharmacists to obtain registration to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.
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To work or migrate in Australia, overseas pharmacist should get registered in Pharmacy Council Australia (visit link- https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au). For getting registration overseas, pharmacist can choose three ways-
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one is complete Australian Pharmacy Council Examination procedures,
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second is obtaining enrollment in bachelor of pharmacy course in an Australian university where students may get some credit based on their previous study
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and the third option is to upgrade current Pharmacy degree from graduation to Masters (Masters in pharmacy Graduate entry).
Steps for Australian Pharmacy Council Examination:-
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1. Eligibility Assessment:
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An initial assessment of a candidate's qualifications and associated documents is undertaken to determine an applicant's eligibility to undertake the APC examination procedure.
2. English Language Requirements:
Language requirements are based on either the Occupational English Test (OET) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A score of 'A' or 'B' in all four components of the OET or an overall Band score of 7 (with a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four components). The OET and IELTS may be taken overseas or in Australia. Language proficiency exam is not a requirement for KAPS or COAP exam but it will be required later by Pharmacy Board of Australia.
3. Stage-I Examination:
Stage-I Examination (as used in Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences KAPS Exam- Stream-A) or the Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) Examination (as used in CAOP Exam-Stream-B). The Stage-I Examination consists of two papers of multiple choice questions covering pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and physiology, and therapeutics. It is held in Australia and overseas in March and September each year. A skills assessment letter for migration purposes is issued after successful completion of the Stage-I Examination.
4. Interviews:
Successful candidates in the Stage-I Examination are interviewed by the appropriate Examining Committee state/territory representative and a member of the relevant state registering authority to discuss the requirements for the Stage-II Examination, the period of supervised practice that must be completed, and any other formal training requirements of the registering authority. The interview is held in Australia prior to undertaking a supervised practice placement.
5. Supervised Practice:
Supervised practice is a period of practical experience of up to 2000 hours undertaken in an Australian community pharmacy and/or hospital pharmacy department under the supervision of an Australian Registered Pharmacist.
6. National Forensics, Ethics and Calculations (NFEC) Examination:
The NFEC Examination consists of a written examination covering forensic, ethical and calculation aspects of Australian pharmacy practice to be completed in one hour. The examination is held in Australia.
7. Stage-II Examination:
The Stage II Examination has written, practical and oral components covering the practice of pharmacy and must be attempted in the state/territory in which the supervised practice was undertaken.
8. APC Certificate:
Candidates who have successfully completed the examination process are issued with an APC certificate, which entitles the candidate to apply for registration with any of the Australian pharmacy registering authorities and explore job opportunities in Australia. The APC certificate is recognized by all the pharmacy registering authorities in Australia.