Pharmacy Licensure Exam Guidelines

Regulation of Pharmacy Practice

• Professional Licensure Exam for Pharmacist:
  • A certification test to evaluate candidate knowledge and skills for licensed pharmacist practice.
  • Assesses competency in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, patient care, and professional ethics.

Qualification for the Licensure Exam

• A citizen of the Philippines:

  • Required for the licensure exam.

• Good moral character:

  • A requirement for the exam

• Internship experience of at least 1200 hours:

  • Community (300 hours)
  • Hospital (300 hours)
  • Institutional (120 hours)
  • Public health and regulatory (180 hours)
  • Manufacturing (300 hours).

• Bachelor of Science degree from accredited school:

  • Essential qualification

• At least 21 years of age:

  • A legal requirement.

• Passed the corresponding examination given by the Board of Pharmacy:

  • Successfully passed a qualifying exam.

• Valid certificate of registration issued by the Pharmacy Board:

  • Required documentation from the board.

• Requirements based on IRR of RA No. 10918:

  • Citizenship of the Philippines or foreign country with reciprocity policy.
  • Good moral character and reputation.
  • Graduate of BS Pharmacy or its equivalent from a recognized HEI.
  • Completed an internship program approved by the Board.
  • Follows guidelines promulgated by the associations and the CHED (Commission on Higher Education)

Documentary Requirements

• Original and photocopy of PSA issued birth certificate:
• Original and photocopy of PSA issued marriage certificate (for married female):
• Certification of Good Moral Character: Issued by barangay, church, school, or employer.
• NBI clearance:
• Certified true copy of TOR (Transcript of Records): In the BS Pharmacy or equivalent degree from the Philippines or foreign country, duly recognized by CHED.
• Certificate of Completion of internship: Duly signed by the dean/program head of the school.

Licensure Examination Process

• PLE given twice a year:

  • Scheduled examination periods are twice a year.

• General weighted average of 75%:

  • Required passing score for all subjects

• No rating lower than 50% in any subject:

  • Minimum passing score per subject.

• Report of ratings:

  • Board submits ratings to PRC within 3 working days.

• Oath of Profession:

  • Required by all successful candidates before practicing pharmacy.

Grounds for reprimand, suspension, or revocation of license (based on RA 5921)

• Immoral or dishonorable conduct:

• Fraud or deceit in the acquisition of the certificate of registration:

• Gross negligence, ignorance, or incompetence:

  • Negligence in clinical practice leading to harm.

• Malpractice:

  • Aiding or abetting criminal abortion or sex crimes through dispensing or selling abortive or sex drugs.

• Acting as a dummy of an alien:

  • Illegal.

• Addiction to habit-forming drugs:

  • Addiction resulting in professional incompetence.

• Insanity:

  • Mental illness rendering someone incompetent.

• Violation of the Code of Ethics:

Grounds for Non-Registration

• Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude:

  • A serious crime.

• Summarily adjudged guilty of misrepresentation or falsification:

  • Falsification of documents.

• Found guilty of immoral conduct or dishonorable conduct:

• Addicted to drug or alcohol:

  • Addiction causing professional incompetence.

• Declared of unsound mind:

  • A legal determination of mental incapacity.

Pharmacy Practice Setting Requirements

• Affixing RPh:

  • After the registered pharmacist's name.

• Indication of information:

  • Required for prescriptions.

• Display of Certification of Registration:

  • Required evidence of registration.

• Sales of medicine, pharmaceuticals, drugs, devices:

• Markings and inhibition to the sale of drug samples:

• Pharmacist required & compensation:

  • Required for practice and payment.

• Display of certificate required:

  • Showing required certificates.

• Responsibility for quality of Pharmaceutical Products:

• Filling and refilling of prescription:

• Label of dispensed medicine:

• Record books of prescription:

  • Medication profile recording.

• Name of prescriber:

• Name and address of patient:

• Product name:

• Dosage strength and form:

• Quantity of drug dispensed:

• Initials of pharmacists:

• Others as may be prescribed:

• Requirements for Opening and Operation:

  • Retail Pharmaceutical Outlet or Establishment.

• Handling of Pharmaceutical Products:

  • By persons other than a Pharmacist.

• Administration of Adult Vaccines:

  • Proper administration procedure.

A. Pharmaceutical Outlet

• Valid License to Operate (LTO) issued by FDA:

• Vaccine products with valid Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) issued by FDA:

• Maintaining patient medication profile/record:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

  • For vaccine storage, handling, preparation, dispensing, administration, and disposal.

• Procedure monitoring, handling and reporting of adverse effects (AEFI):

B. Immunizing Pharmacist

• Only PRC-BOP certified immunizing pharmacists:
  • Allowed to provide vaccination services in pharmacies.
• Certificate of Current Employment:
  • In the Pharmaceutical Outlet.
• Valid Certificate in Basic Life Support Training:
• Valid Certificate of Training in Vaccination Issued by PRC-BOP:

Legal Control of Pharmacy Profession in the Philippines

• Must be a registered pharmacist (RPh):

  • Required for practice.

• Administration of Pharmacy Examination and granting of registration:

• Vested in the Board of Pharmacy which falls under the PRC.

Laws Governing the Practice of Pharmacy

• R.A. No. 5921 – The Pharmacy Law:
• R.A. No. 10918 – Revised Pharmacy Law:
• R.A. No. 3720 – The Foods, Drugs, Devices, and Cosmetics Act:
• R.A. No. 6675 – The Generics Law of 1988:
• R.A. No. 8203 – Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs:
• R.A. No. 9165 – The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002:
• R.A. No. 9502 – Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008:
• R.A. No. 9711 – Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009:

B. Ethical Control of Pharmacy Profession

• Code of Ethics:
  • More efficient decision-making process.
  • Provides guidelines for directing professional behavior
• Professional Characteristics:
  • Specialized body of knowledge.
  • Specific attitudes affecting professional behavior
  • Existence of social sanction
  • Desire to be professional
  • An oath of allegiance and code of ethics.

Universal Principles of Biomedical Ethics

• Autonomy:

  • Ability to decide and implement personal decisions free from coercion constraint.
  • Ability to decide.
  • Power to act upon the decisions.

• Veracity:

  • Truthfulness in practitioner-patient interactions.

• Beneficence:

  • Actions aimed at benefiting others / preventing harm and promoting good.

• Non-maleficence:

  • Treating the sick in a way that is beneficial and not harmful
  • Minimizing harm while maximizing good.

• Confidentiality:

  • Respect for patient privacy an important trust aspect that patients have in health care professionals

• Justice:

  • Concepts of fairness and equal treatment.
  • Procedural justice: necessary in disputes.
  • Distributive Justice: providing health care.

• Role Fidelity:

  • Following the role’s constraints and demonstrating loyalty

• Informed Consent:

  • Providing patients with complete information before clinical trials, medication, or surgery.

• Patient Rights:

  • Expecting knowledge and experience of clinicians, responsive providers, and numerous treatment choices

Code of Ethics

• Carefully formulated system:
  • Principles or rules of practice for professionals.

Philippine Pharmacists Association Code of Ethics

• Preamble:
  • Pharmacists assist individuals, promoting good health and rational drug use for a better quality of life.
• Ethical principles:
• Placing patient well-being as central to practice
• Promoting individual welfare in a caring and compassionate manner
• Supporting the needs of the individual, community, and society.
• Respecting patient rights and confidentiality.
• Acting with honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all relationships.
• Respecting abilities, and contributions from colleagues and other health professionals in ensuring better patient care and maintaining competency
• Coordinating with government and other health professionals to shape health care policies and programs which benefit society.

FIP Code of Ethics

• 1. Obligations Pharmacist: Prime responsibility is individual (before personal or commercial interest); be objective and support individual access to effective treatment.
• 2. Obligations Pharmacist: Show the same dedication to all; respect life, avoid discrimination, treat each individual with respect and regard to their personal circumstances.
• 3. Obligations Pharmacist: Respect individual choice, do not disseminate identifying information without consent/proper cause.
• 4. Obligations Pharmacist: Respect and safeguard the individual without consent or cause; cooperate with colleagues and other professionals.
• 5. Obligations Pharmacist: Act with honesty and integrity in professional relationships; avoid practices and working conditions that could impair professional judgement.
• 6. Obligations Pharmacist: Serves individual, community, and society; recognize responsibilities involved to serve individuals and society (with large-scale implications)
• 7. Obligations Pharmacist: Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills; update accordingly with pharmaceutical developments.
• 8. Obligations Pharmacist: Pharmacy to serve the community by handling disputes or closure by informing and referring patients.

Oath of a Pharmacist

• Professional life to serve humanity: devotion and service to all humankind.
• Welfares of humanity: relief from suffering and humanity's primary concern.
• Skills, knowledge, experiences to ensure optimal drug therapies: to serve patients to the best understanding of medicine through skill, knowledge and experience.
• Develop professional competency: being current with developments and maintaining competence.
• Maintain principles: upholding high morals, ethical and legal conduct.
• I take the vows voluntarily and entrusted by public.
• Advocate change for improved patient care.

Pharmaceutical Organization

• Purpose:

  • Attainment of goals and objectives for pharmacy profession upliftment
  • Enhancing Pharmacy services and better delivering patient care.
  • Acts as the collective voice of members, setting standards.
  • The different organizations are established at international, national, and local levels for specialization.

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA):

  • A national organization accredited by PRC and SEC.
  • 2008: Former Philippine Pharmaceutical Association.
  • Located in Manila.
  • Established in 1920.
  • Has affiliate organizations.
  • Has a vision of total Filipino well-being and partnership with healthcare professionals.
  • Functions include upholding and enhancing pharmacy, advocating equal partnership, participating in health policies and programs, uniting pharmaceutical chapters/organizations, safeguarding member rights, and promoting professional growth.
  • Holds a national convention and provides cash incentives for top performers on the Pharmacy Licensure Exam

• Other Organizations:

  • PAPPI: Pharmacists in Pharmaceutical Industry.
  • PSHP: Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
  • PACOP: Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
  • DOHLP: Department of Health League of Pharmacists.
  • IPAP: Institutional Pharmacists Association of the Philippines. – FJCPPHA: Federation of Junior Chapters of the PPhA.
  • YPG: Young Pharmacists Group Philippines.
  • DSAP Drugstore Association of the Philippines – FAPA: Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations.
  • AASP: Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy.
  • FIP: International Pharmaceutical Federation.

• PPhA programs:

  • Maintaining medication safety through programs.
  • Continuing professional education programs (CPE) since 1960 to keep pharmacists updated., with seminars available
  • Scholarship for pharmacy students.