Addressing the pharmacist shortage through a cooperative internship program for foreign pharmacy graduates

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• International Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmacist Licensure

Background:

• Foreign-trained pharmacists face challenges in obtaining U.S. licensure.
• The Latin American Pharmacist Internship Program was developed as a pilot to address this gap.
• This program aimed to integrate international pharmacists into the U.S. healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and outcomes of the Latin American Pharmacist Internship Program.
• To evaluate the program's effectiveness in preparing pharmacists for U.S. licensure.
• To identify key components for the success of future international pharmacist training programs.

Main Methods:

• A pilot program involving two schools of pharmacy and a community pharmacy chain.
• A three-phase didactic and experiential curriculum.
• Supervised experiential training for Peruvian pharmacists.

Main Results:

• Nine out of fifteen participants obtained U.S. pharmacy licensure within one year.
• One participant was awaiting examination results; three returned to their home country.
• Two participants continued as interns while completing licensure requirements.

Conclusions:

• Successful international pharmacist training requires specific admission criteria, including English proficiency.
• Expanding the program's global reach and extending the completion timeline to 18 months are recommended.
• Enhanced instruction in assertiveness, U.S. employment practices, and culturally sensitive supervision is crucial.