Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhDDiscover the scope of pharmacists globally and how you can enter Korea as a pharmacist.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- How can you become a pharmacist in Korea?
- What is the top scope of practice for pharmacists?
- Which is the best country for migrating pharmacists?
Career opportunities for pharmacists are ever-growing worldwide. Like doctors and nurses, pharmacists are also an integral part of the healthcare system anywhere in the world. The demand for skilled and qualified pharmacists continues to rise in different countries. This demand for pharmacists opens up a world of opportunities for international medical graduates (IMGs). This blog will shed light on how international medical graduates can migrate to Korea as a pharmacist.
Who are Pharmacists?
Before we delve into the process of becoming a registered pharmacist in Korea, let us understand who pharmacists are and what they do in the healthcare industry.
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are experts in the field of pharmacy. The main functions that they perform include ensuring the safe and effective use of medications and providing the right medication-related information to patients and other healthcare workers.
Scope of Practice for Pharmacists
- MEDICINE DISPENSATION
Pharmacists dispense the prescribed medications to patients. They also ensure that the prescription is accurate, verify that the dosages are appropriate, and provide instructions on how to take the medicines correctly. They are also responsible for assessing the compatibility of different medications when multiple prescriptions are involved.
- MEDICATION SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
While ensuring medication safety and quality assurance, pharmacists play a crucial role. They verify the authenticity, integrity, and quality of medications, monitor for potential medication errors, and implement strategies to prevent adverse drug events. Pharmacists collaborate with healthcare teams to develop medication policies and protocols and encourage safe medication practices throughout the healthcare system.
- DRUG INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
Pharmacists are experts who possess in-depth knowledge of medications, drug interactions, therapeutic guidelines, and emerging pharmaceutical advancements. They are considered to be a valuable and reliable source of drug information for patients, healthcare workers, and the community. They also educate patients and healthcare providers about new medications, advances in treatment options, and the appropriate use of pharmaceutical products.
- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Pharmacists contribute to pharmaceutical research and development, conducting studies, clinical trials, and drug utilisation evaluations. They evaluate the efficacy and safety of medications, monitor for possible drug-related issues, and contribute to the refinement of pharmaceutical knowledge and practices.
How to Become a Pharmacist in Korea?
Nowadays, qualified pharmacists aspire to migrate to foreign countries and make the most of their careers. Korea is one of the preferred countries for pharmacists. When it comes to Korea, their healthcare system is highly advanced, technologies are top-notch, and the demand for pharmacists is growing.
GRADUATE FROM AN APPROVED UNIVERSITY
When considering migrating to Korea as a pharmacist, this is the first and foremost requirement. If the candidate is an international medical graduate, he/she should hold a degree in pharmacy and must graduate from an institution approved by Korean officials. The list of approved universities and colleges can be found on the official website of the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. In addition to this, a pharmacist licence from your home is also required.
CLEAR THE PHARMACY BOARD EXAM
The next step in this process is clearing the Korean Pharmacy Board Exam. This board exam is conducted in South Korea once a year. This comprehensive exam assesses their understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, drug interactions, regulations, and ethical responsibilities. The Pharmacy Board Exam will have 12 subjects. They are as follows.
- Qualitative Analysis
- Quantitative Analysis
- Pharmaceutics
- Korean Pharmacopoeia
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Preventive Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Organic Pharmaceutical Synthetic Chemistry
- Inorganic Pharmaceutical Synthetic Chemistry
- Pharmacognosy
- Regulations on Pharmacists and Management of Controlled Drugs
BEING MENTALLY FIT
The candidate aspiring to migrate to South Korea as a pharmacist must be proven as mentally fit and healthy. If there are existing mental issues, the candidate will not be considered mentally healthy and therefore will not be eligible. Also, the candidate should not be addicted to drugs or similar harmful substances as this can also affect eligibility.
HOLD A CLEAN RECORD CERTIFICATE
The candidate must hold a certificate of a clean record.
The following records will make the candidate ineligible for further consideration.
- Have been convicted of a crime
- Have been in jail
- Have been filed for bankruptcy
- Have been legally declared incompetent
- Have been legally declared with limited competence
To prove that the above-mentioned activities are not associated with you, a clean record must be submitted along with the licence to practise pharmacy in your home country.
OBTAIN A WORK VISA
After clearing the Pharmacy Board Exam, the candidate needs to land a job in Korea as a pharmacist. After the employer applies for a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance, the candidate can submit the supporting documents to the Korean embassy in his/her home country to obtain a work visa. After the work visa is received, they can fly to Korea and kick-start their overseas career as a pharmacist.
Which Country is ideal for Migrating Pharmacists?
KOREA VS AUSTRALIA
EXAM
When looking at the exams for pharmacists, the exam for migrating to Korea is conducted only once a year while the exam for migrating to Australia is conducted thrice a year. Therefore the KAPS exam (Australia) is considered more convenient by pharmacists.
EXAM CENTER
Appearing for the exam is another challenge faced by the aspirants. As the Korean Pharmacy Board Exam is conducted in South Korea, candidates usually find it difficult to travel so far for the examination. But the KAPS examination by Australia is conducted in all major cities and candidates can write the exam from their home countries. This is another attractive factor for pharmacists considering moving abroad.
Pharmacists play an important role in the formation of a healthcare system. The scope of practice for pharmacists can vary between countries and may be subject to specific regulations and professional guidelines. Nonetheless, pharmacists worldwide share the common goal of ensuring safe and effective medication use, assisting in patient well-being, and contributing to the quality of healthcare. Pharmacists have a wide range of opportunities to explore abroad, driven by the global demand for healthcare professionals. By understanding the requirements, adapting to new cultures, and leveraging professional networks, pharmacists can embark on fulfilling careers while contributing to the improvement of healthcare systems worldwide.
If you are interested to know more about migrating to foreign countries as a pharmacist, reach out to us and we will be happy to help.
Drop a mail to contact@academically.ai
FAQs
Q: Can Indians become pharmacists in Korea?
Ans: Yes. Indians can practise pharmacy in Korea after clearing their Korean Pharmacy Board Exam and meeting the remaining requirements.
Q: How much do pharmacists earn in Korea?
Ans: The average salary for pharmacists in Korea can range from KRW 44,376,668 to KRW 65,273,462 a year.
Q: Which is the best country for pharmacists?
Ans: Australia is one of the best countries for pharmacists who aspire to build a rewarding career in Pharmacy. With its high standard of living, great quality healthcare, and lucrative salaries and benefits packages, it is one of the most sought-after destinations for pharmacists.
Q: How much do pharmacists earn in Australia?
Ans: The average salary range for a pharmacist in Australia can be from AUD 66,955 to AUD 99,500 a year.
Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhD
Academically.ai is the brainchild of Dr. Akram Ahmad. He has done his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Australia. He is a self-motivated clinical pharmacist and committed lecturer with over 9 years of teaching and research experience in various subjects of medicine at the leading Universities in Australia, Malaysia, and India.
Dr. Akram is the recipient of prestigious “Best Promising Researcher Award” from the UCSI University (Malaysia). He has also published over 110 papers, book chapters, conference papers including in high-impact journals. In addition to that, he is a reviewer and editorial board member in
several journals of medicine and pharmacy.