Navigating the Pharmacy Oral Exam for Intern Pharmacists

The pharmacy oral exam for intern pharmacists in Australia is an essential registration requirement. The exam is developed by the Pharmacy Board of Australia and administered by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). The exam is designed to ensure that interns are prepared for practice, complementing the assessments conducted within the internship. Interns must successfully pass this exam, along with the intern written exam and a valid Intern Training Program (ITP), to gain general registration.

What is the Pharmacy Oral Exam?

The pharmacy oral examination is a critical step for intern pharmacists aiming to become registered practitioners in Australia. The exam is held three times a year—in February, June or July, and October—and lasts approximately 35 minutes. It consists of three parts:

1. Primary Health Care (10 minutes)

2. Legal and Ethical Practice (5 minutes)

3. Problem Solving and Communication (20 minutes)

Let’s dive deeper into each section.

Part A: Primary Health Care (10 minutes)

In this section, candidates are presented with a scenario related to primary health care, conducted as a role play. You will need to identify the patient's primary health care issues and recommend appropriate over-the-counter therapy and lifestyle modifications. Whenever necessary, you should also refer the patient to a general practitioner.

Preparation Tips:

• Familiarise yourself with common conditions and the corresponding over-the-counter medications.

• Practice with role-playing scenarios to improve your confidence and communication skills.

• Our Pharmacist-Patient scenario video series, available on our website and YouTube channel, is a FREE valuable resource - check it out for practice scenarios and tips.

Part B: Legal and Ethical Practice (5 minutes)

Candidates are given a scenario to explain the legal and ethical issues involved and recommend appropriate actions for the patient's satisfactory outcome. No reference materials are allowed during this part.

Preparation Tips:

• Study key documents such as the PSA Code of Ethics, National Competency Standards, Australia Privacy Principles, APF, and the PBS website.

• Understand the legal framework and ethical considerations in pharmacy practice.

• If you need more resources, our oral exam preparation study package is available for purchase on our website.
  

Part C: Problem Solving and Communication (20 minutes)

This section involves solving issues related to a prescription, which may include incorrect drug doses, drug interactions, contraindications, duplication of medications, or drug-induced illness. In some rare cases, there might be no issue, and you will need to dispense the prescription and counsel the patient accordingly. This part is also conducted as a role play and is open book, allowing you to refer to any materials within the given time frame.

Types of problems you may encounter:

• Drug/drug interaction

• Contraindication

• Inappropriate drug or dose

• ‘Doubling up’ of medication

• Unintended change in dose

• Unintended change in medication

• Multiple prescribers who aren’t aware of all relevant patient information

• Drug-induced illness

• Monitoring of the patient’s treatment

Preparation Tips:

• Have the latest versions of the APF and AMH ready. The more recent the version, the better!

• Utilise therapeutic guidelines or eMIMS, but avoid overwhelming yourself with too many resources.

• Ensure all your materials are downloaded or printed since internet use is not allowed during the exam.

Understanding the Assessment Process

There is no set pass mark for the exam. Each candidate is assessed by at least two experienced pharmacists who evaluate your competence and readiness to practice safely. The assessment is based on the criteria set by AHPRA and the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

The pharmacy oral exam is undoubtedly challenging but essential. It assesses your competence in various areas, ensuring you are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective patient care.

We hope this post has provided you with a clear understanding of what the exam entails and some valuable tips for preparation. If you need more resources, check out our website.

Good luck to all aspiring pharmacists!