Foreign Pharmacy Fresh Graduate

[FeliciaAndrea]

Hi, I just graduated from a four year pharmacy program in another country, and my goal is to become a licensed pharmacist in the U.S.. I was planning on taking the FPGEE exam, but a site says I'm not qualified to take it since I graduated after 2003. So I think the only option for me right now is to earn a PharmD degree here, in a school that accepts foreign pharmacy graduates. Western University of Health Sciences is on the top of my list since they only need a few requirements, and is within my state. But the tuition is very expensive, so I'm having second thoughts. Is there another way for me to become a licensed pharmacist in the U.S.? And can you suggest other universities/colleges that offer PharmD programs to a foreign graduate who hasn't been licensed in his/her country of origin? And can you tell me if WesternU is a good choice for me? Please help, thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Lnsean]

Hi, I just graduated from a four year pharmacy program in another country, and my goal is to become a licensed pharmacist in the U.S.. I was planning on taking the FPGEE exam, but a site says I'm not qualified to take it since I graduated after 2003. So I think the only option for me right now is to earn a PharmD degree here, in a school that accepts foreign pharmacy graduates. Western University of Health Sciences is on the top of my list since they only need a few requirements, and is within my state. But the tuition is very expensive, so I'm having second thoughts. Is there another way for me to become a licensed pharmacist in the U.S.? And can you suggest other universities/colleges that offer PharmD programs to a foreign graduate who hasn't been licensed in his/her country of origin? And can you tell me if WesternU is a good choice for me? Please help, thank you!

It's going to be a tough road....there is an over supply of pharmacists here so companies like CVS or Walgreens are not going to sponsor you; they have more than enough US graduates to choose from. I don't see why any school would pick a foreign student over a US student...I'm sure the opportunity for this is also dwindling or narrowing rapidly. I'd reconsider the whole field unless you really love pharmacy. There're probably better ways like through IT or tech (programming or comp sci) via a visa sponsorship by big tech companies.

 

[BidingMyTime]

[QUOTE="Lnsean, post: 19092299, member: 266293"I don't see why any school would pick a foreign student over a US student...[/QUOTE]

Because schools have more open seats than they do applicants. Getting into school won't be a problem for the OP (assuming the person has the money to pay for it. Other than that, I agree with everything you say.

OP, unless you have a means to become a legal resident (ie via family/marriage) the chances of your working as a pharmacist in the US are nil. You will not get a work visa in the USA to be a pharmacist. as Lnsean said, nobody sponsors pharmacists for work visa anymore (perhaps renewing existing work visa, but no new ones.)

Why aren't you getting licensed in your country of origin? Even if you want to plan to come to the US, why wouldn't you want to work as a pharmacist in your country until you could come to the US? Work experience will only be helpful.

You can always double check your FPGEE eligibility by calling/e-mailing FPGEE. But if your degree is a 4yr bachelor of pharmacy, then it's correct that you would not be eligible for the FPGEE.

 

[Abby Atwood]

It can be tough finding a job as a pharmacist if you are limited to a specific geographic area; however, I am a new grad without residency training (basically everyone's last choice for any position). I wound up with my dream job. If you are able/willing to cast a wide net, there are lots of job opportunities.

 

[lord999]

If you're Canadian, not a terribly difficult problem. If you are Commonwealth, it's more than one step, but it does not require pharmacy school. Anyone else (even EU), you have to take at least an MS Pharm before you can sit for the FPGEE. You don't actually have to do the PharmD from the start, but you will need further education.