Originally posted by Triangulation
I'm confused. Is this being done to address the pharm shortage in CA?
That's one of the intentions...this is from the Senate Floor analyses available at the link I posted above:
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : Supporters state that this bill would make it easier to recruit experienced pharmacists to work in California at a time when there is a widespread shortage of pharmacists, particularly in rural and hard to serve urban areas. Additionally, the use of this computer-based exam will result in significant cost savings to the board, while allowing those seeking licensure increased flexibility and availability of exam dates.
In its letter of support for SB 361, the Board of Pharmacy counters opponents' claims with the following:
"Concern has been articulated by those opposed to the
adoption of the NAPLEX with the elimination of short
answer questions from the examination because multiple
choice examinations will not adequately screen the
communication skills of prospective pharmacists. This
contention is mistaken. Such skills are rigorously
evaluated in the students' pharmacy curriculum and in
1500 hours of supervised internship that is required of
all pharmacist applicants in California. Furthermore,
the existing examination's short answer questions are not
designed to evaluate communications skills, but are
designed to test the application of the candidate's skill
in applying pharmacy knowledge. A licensure examination
is only one of three significant elements in evaluating a
candidate's ability to perform the duties of a pharmacist
at a minimum level of competency (education, internship,
and examination) and each element evaluates different
sets of skills and competencies. Notably, the curriculum
standards adopted by the American Council on
Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), which is the accrediting
body for pharmacy schools, devote substantial portions of
the curriculum to communication skills."
The board further states that "adopting the NAPLEX will
remove an unnecessary administrative barrier to the
practice of pharmacy in California while maintaining the
high standard of competence consumers have come to expect.
The current state exam restricts candidates to two
opportunities to take the test each year, whereas NAPLEX is
offered year round and reduces the waiting time for results
from weeks to days. NAPLEX is the accepted examination for
pharmacists in every other state and preserving a separate
examination in California strongly discourages pharmacy
graduates in other states to seek a California license.
With the adoption of the Doctor of Pharmacy as the entry
level degree requirement by all pharmacy schools and the
fact that all schools of pharmacy are held to the same high
standards by the ACPE, there is no reason for California to
continue its independent testing program."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : Opponents assert that utilizing the NAPLEX will lower the licensing standard in California. Further, opponents do not believe that the NAPLEX, which is a multiple-choice exam, will test for application and utilization of knowledge in a real world environment as well as the ability to communicate to patients. According to Senate Business and Professions Committee analysis, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, the Consumer Federation of California, and the Congress of California Seniors oppose the adoption of NAPLEX.