Category: Uncategorized

  • Opting for Australia: The Premier Choice for Overseas Pharmacy Pursuits

    Why choose Australia to work and live?
    Australia is widely regarded as a prime destination for pharmacists to pursue their careers, with several compelling reasons to opt for this country, including:

    Standard of living
    Australia is renowned for its excellent quality of life, top-notch healthcare system, and rich cultural diversity.Career prospects Pharmacists have the opportunity to work across diverse settings such as hospitals, research facilities, community pharmacies, educational establishments, and governmental organizations which makes Australia the best opportunity.High demand for pharmacistsAustralia consistently has a high demand for skilled pharmacists, offering plentiful job openings and favourable career outlooks.


    Wages
    Australia ranks among the top 10 highest-paying countries for pharmacists. As of January 2021, the average annual salary for pharmacists in Australia stood at AU$77,718. In 2024, entry-level pharmacists can expect a salary range of $61,956–$64,480, mid-level pharmacists $65,125–$80,000, and experienced pharmacists $91,000–$114,000.Additional perks Pharmacists in Australia can benefit from opportunities for community engagement, career progression, job security, flexible work arrangements, and promising prospects for professional development.Safe place to live and work
    According to Australian crime rate and statistics, there has been a decline in the crime rate when compared to other English-speaking countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States indicating that Australia is a secure destination for international pharmacists seeking employment with low crime rate.

    In conclusion, Australia emerges as one of the most favorable destinations for pursuing a career as a pharmacist. Still, have some doubts? Elite Expertise is here to provide the guidance and information you need to confidently navigate your path toward becoming a pharmacist in Australia

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

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    Arief Mohammad

  • Technological advancements in Pharmacy

    Over the past decade, pharmacists and pharmacy regulators have experienced change as a constant companion. Technological advancements within the pharmacy sector have been transformative, propelling the entire industry to new heights. These advancements have reformed various aspects of pharmacy practice, from enhancing medication management systems, optimize workflow efficiency, improve medication safety, and expand access to healthcare services.

    This advancement not only streamlines pharmacists’ daily tasks but also raises the bar for patient care standards, representing a substantial leap forward for the pharmacy field collectively. Pharmacies can now use technology to create tailored software solutions that automate a patient’s prescription, refill history and cross-reference with other medications obtained from different pharmacies.

    Let’s explore some of the transformative advancements that have reshaped the field

    Patient Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Outreach Automation

    Patients can conveniently access their medications and other pharmaceutical care products from the comfort of their homes. Pharmacists are utilizing remote prescription authentication and live-video counselling to connect with patients, ensuring the same level of engagement and care as in a traditional pharmacy setting. Some of the countries using telepharmacy include United States, Canada, Belgium, Cuba, Guam, Germany, France, Japan, Denmark, Italy, Venezuela, Spain, Bahrain, and Egypt. Telepharmacy is a rapidly emerging field with the potential to transform and improve the delivery of pharmacy services for rural and remote population.

    Tele-pharmacy

    Online pharmacies are leveraging CRM software to manage client interactions via social media, SMS, and email, compensating for the extended duration of prescription processing and delivery. This technology enhances patient engagement with their health and pharmacy, boosting adherence through features like medication refill prompts and tailored wellness newsletters.

    Automated Dispensing Units

    This increases fill time, reduces human error, and enables personnel to concentrate on patient contact instead of prescription filling.

    Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)

    PDMPs serves as an electronic repository tracking controlled substance prescriptions within a state. These databases furnish health authorities with timely insights into prescribing patterns and patient behaviours relevant to the epidemic, enabling swift and targeted interventions. PDMPs stand out as one of the most promising state-level initiatives aimed at enhancing opioid prescription practices, educating clinicians, and safeguarding vulnerable patients.

    Medication Reminder Devices

    Patients have access to a range of innovative gadgets in the market that provide smart medication reminders. These gadgets include devices that seal medication packs after dispensing the correct dosage, emit alerts and flashing lights when it’s time for a dose, and feature patient compliance platforms displaying the next scheduled dose.

    On the whole the technological advancements in pharmaceuticals yield benefits for both pharmacy teams and patients, enhancing the overall experience and fostering improved synergy throughout every stage of the prescription process.

    Arief Mohammad

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

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  • Self Study Versus Elite Expertise Method (KAPS Coaching Institute)

    SELF STUDY

    ELITE EXPERTISE (KAPS COACHING INSTITUTE)

    Exploring the unknown

    The main motto of KAPS is to test your knowledge and competence of pharmaceutical sciences, in the process of which a tremendous amount of tricky questionnaire could be thrown at you. Self-study might lack the comprehensive understanding and diverse range of questions necessary to address your challenges effectively.

    Proficiency in Complex Questionnaire

    With experience comes the skill!Our instructors have both skill and the experience that not only guide you in excelling your knowledge of the subject but also in easily cracking these tricky questions by building your confidence to analyse and tackle the most challenging KAPS exam questions.

    Hidden Knowledge Gaps

    The KAPS Exam’s extensive syllabus for preparation, demands disciplined self-study to ensure thorough preparation across all tested domains. Overlooking crucial topics unintentionally or lacking a solid foundation in specific areas can leave you exposed during the exam.

    Bridging the Knowledge Gaps

    Our intricately crafted curriculum addresses the essential areas assessed in the KAPS exam. With detailed study materials and expert-led lectures, you’ll acquire a profound knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences essential for achieving success.

    Time as Your Foe

    To succeed in the KAPS exam, it’s crucial to manage your time effectively. Without a clear plan, you might spend too much time on challenging questions, which could affect your chances of completing other questions successfully.

    Time Management Expertise

    We provide you with targeted time-management techniques designed specifically for the KAPS exam structure. You’ll discover how to prioritize questions, maintain a steady pace, and ensure completion of all sections within the allotted time.

    Undervaluing the Challenge

    Those studying independently may underestimate the complexity of the KAPS exam. Fully understanding the extent of preparation needed to succeed is crucial, as underestimation can result in discouragement or feelings of being unprepared on exam day.

    Attain Success with Realistic Expectations

    Our instructors will help you establish realistic expectations regarding the rigor of the KAPS exam. By gaining insight into the necessary level of preparation, you’ll be able to approach your studies with clarity and steer clear of unexpected challenges

    Elite Expertise ensures your success in KAPS exam through our interactive learning sessions, practice- focussed syllabus, Live lectures and recorded videos.

    We are what our tag line speaks of: “Quality learning where knowledge meets practice.”

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Arief Mohammad

  • KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences) Exam 2024, Dates and Centres

    Hello Pharmacists!

    How’s your preparation for the KAPS exam 2024 going to on? Confused about where to start, the dates and the centers of the KAPS exam 2024? Don’t worry Elite Expertise got you covered!

    KAPS EXAM DATES

    • Make sure you’ve completed your Eligibility Check no later than 8 weeks before the registration deadline for your chosen exam.

    • The KAPS exam consists of two papers that must be taken together on the same day.

    TEST CENTRES AND THEIR LOCATIONS

    Availability of seats

    • Seat availability differs among test centers.

    • Test centers might reach maximum capacity or be unavailable for specific sessions.

    • Additional seats may open up closer to the registration deadline if candidates cancel their reservations.

    • You can reschedule your exam through the candidate portal if your preferred test centers become accessible.

    • It’s advisable to complete your registration before making travel arrangements


    Arief Mohammad

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  • Steps to Become Pharmacist in Australia

    The 5 basic steps to become a registered pharmacist includes:

    1. The overseas candidate must complete his/her degree in Pharmacy such as a Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy or Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D).

    2. To get registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, the overseas candidate must qualify KAPS (knowledge assessment of pharmaceutical sciences) exam conducted by Australian Pharmacy Council.

    a) Prior to KAPS exam the candidate must undergo the eligibility check to ensure he/she is eligible to sit for the KAPS exam and to receive skill assessment outcome.

    b) The candidate must take KAPS examination and should secure 50% in each subject in both paper 1 and paper 2. (This skill assessment and KAPS exam can be completed from the candidate’s home country).

    3. After clearing the KAPS exam milestone, it is the time to begin their journey to achieve the permanent residency in Australia.

    a) English Language Test: Since Australia is an English-speaking country, the candidate who wish to migrate to Australia must prove their English skills by taking certain exams called: IELTS academic, PTE academic and OET.

    b) AHPRA Registration: The Australian Health Practitioner Registration agency offers the provisional and permanent registration to the KAPS qualified candidates which is required to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.

    4. The candidate must apply for internship and must complete one-year supervised internship (1575 hours) with a registered pharmacist and pass an oral and written exam to apply for general registration as a pharmacist.

    5. Once the candidate passes the intern written and oral examination, he/she can apply for general registration with AHPRA and can work as a registered pharmacist anywhere throughout Australia.

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  • Scope and Practice of Overseas Pharmacist in Australia

    In Australia, the scope of KAPS-qualified overseas pharmacists practicing as pharmacists in Australia has a wide range of responsibilities.

    1. Medication Supply and Dispensing: Pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring safe and accurate medication supply and dispensing the prescribed medications to patients, providing essential counselling on proper usage and potential side effects.

    2. Prescribing: The prescribing rights for pharmacists has been a topic of interest in Australia. Pharmacists currently in Australia are authorized to engage in activities like medication continuance, therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic adaptation.

    3. Review Medications: They conduct thorough reviews of patients’ medication regimens, identifying potential interactions, adverse effects, and opportunities for optimization.

    4. Disease Management: Pharmacists contribute to disease management by collaborating with other healthcare professionals and they adjust the medication plans to individual patient needs.

    6. Ordering and Interpreting Laboratory Tests: In some cases, pharmacists are involved in ordering and interpreting laboratory tests related to medication management.

    General practice pharmacists work closely with general practitioners (GPs) to optimize patient care, with a primary focus on medication management and beyond.

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

    Follow On

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Arief Mohammad

  • What is the English language score required for an overseas pharmacist to get registered with AHPRA?

    IELTS

    AHPRA’s registration standards typically require a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components for registration in certain professions, such as pharmacy, nursing, or medicine.

    PTE

    PTE Academic is a computer-based test administered at testing centers, and achieving a minimum score of 65 overall and 65 in each communicative skill is required for many purposes, including immigration and academic admissions.

    OET

    The OET (Occupational English Test) assesses the language proficiency of healthcare professionals. To meet the requirements, you typically need to achieve a score ‘B’ in each of the four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.



    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

    Follow On

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Arief Mohammad

  • “Artificial Intelligence” Revolutionizing the Field of Pharmacy

    Artificial intelligence (AI)is such a break through which left no stone unturned with its wide-ranging technological advancements impacting several fields from engineering to architecture, education, accounting, business, healthcare, and so on. AI has made considerable advances in healthcare, playing pivotal roles in the storage and management of patient data and information, including medical histories, medication stocks, sales records, and many more.

    Below are a few excerpts from a pool of AI advancements within the Pharmacy sector

    • AI accelerates the drug discovery process by reducing the time and cost involved in bringing new medications to market. This has been proven in Pfizer’s PAXLOVID clinical trials, enabling the team to perform quality-checks and analyse vast amounts of patient data 50% faster than before encouraging them to use AI in more than half of all Pfizer’s clinical trials. AstraZeneca is applying AI throughout the discovery and development process, from target identification to clinical trials, to uncover new insights.

    • AI facilitates to analyse the patient’s genetic, molecular and clinical data to develop personalized medication and dosage based on individual characteristics for effective treatment outcome.

    • Medical devices based on AI assist healthcare professionals and researchers in identifying diseases or their progression ahead of time, enabling them to provide appropriate treatment to patients.

    • AI-driven systems examine patient data to detect possible problems like drug interactions, side effects to medications, or not following prescribed treatments. Pharmacists can then utilize this data to fine-tune medication plans, enhance patient safety, and offer customized advice.

    • In pharmacy practice, AI enables automation of various pharmacy tasks, such as medication dispensing, compounding, inventory management and preventing medication shortages based on analysing the data.

    • Thanks to AI, clinical pharmacists can now leverage advanced data analysis techniques to swiftly sift through extensive patient data. This empowers them to swiftly recognize patterns and potential medication risks, enhancing their ability to make well-informed decisions. Consequently, medication errors are minimized, and patients benefit from personalized treatment plans meticulously crafted to address their individual requirements.

    Overall, AI has transformed the pharmacy sector by enhancing efficiency, improving patient outcomes, and enabling more personalized and precise medication management. However, it’s important to address challenges such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and regulatory compliance to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI in pharmacy practice.

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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    Arief Mohammad

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  • Visa Options for Pharmacists

    The actual task after qualifying KAPS exam and having a score of English language test in hand is to choose the appropriate visa for desired immigration to Australia as a pharmacist. There are multiple visa options available with many differences in benefits and perquisites after passing the KAPS examination. The candidate must be mindful and to be particular while choosing the visa depending on their individual choices and situations. The below are different types of visa options available for the pharmacist’s after clearing the KAPS and mentioning eligibility, how to Apply and their benefits

    Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

    Ø This visa is granted for the overseas pharmacists who receives a nomination from a state or territory government facing a pharmacist shortage (definitely priorities to serve the needs in specific areas, limiting initial location flexibility). By receiving a nomination, the candidates have high chances of getting an invitation to apply.

    Ø This visa is to be applied through Skill Select after receiving a nomination from a chosen state or territory with specific occupation lists and application processes.

    Skilled regional provisional visa (Subclass 491 visa)

    The 491 visa is a skilled regional provisional visa for the individuals who want to live and work in regional Australia. It requires sponsorship by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.

    Ø The overseas pharmacist must satisfy the points test to get this visa.

    Ø The candidate can stay in Australia for 5 years to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia.

    Ø He/she can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid.

    Ø The overseas pharmacists can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your 491 visa is granted.

    Employer-Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482)/ Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

    Ø The overseas pharmacists must secure confirmed employment offer and sponsorship from an Australian employer and then apply for the visa with their employer’s support. This visa provides faster processing times and it is a potential pathway to permanent residency after fulfilling visa conditions.

    Ø The pharmacist after passing the KAPS examination who looks for the short-term work opportunities (2-4 years) to fill the immediate short term need of staff in specific regions or employers. This visa can be applied through sponsorship from an employer who are in need of pharmacists. There is a chance in transition to permanent residency after fulfilling visa conditions and proving ongoing need.

    Training visa (Subclass 407 visa)

    Ø The overseas candidates can migrate to Australia on a temporary basis to participate in occupational training or professional development. This visa allows the KAPS-qualified candidate to stay in Australia for up to two years, during which they can participate in structured training provided by the sponsor.

    Ø To be eligible for the 407 visa, the KAPS-qualified candidate typically needs to be sponsored by any pharmacies, dispensaries, drug store, hospitals, etc., (approved by an Australian organization or government agency). The KAPS-qualified candidate also needs to meet certain health and character requirements.

    Ø Overall, the 407 visa offers a great opportunity for KAPS-qualified individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge in Australia while experiencing its culture and lifestyle.

    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

    Follow On

    Arief Mohammad

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  • Total Cost To Become A Pharmacist In Australia


    Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

    Follow On

    Arief Mohammad

    Arief Mohammad

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR