Insights from the United States to Integrate Pharmacy Education with the Pharmacist Licensure Examination to Improve Pharmacy Training in Taiwan - 2025

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Violet

This study examines U.S. pharmacy education and the pharmacist licensure examination system to derive actionable guidance for improving pharmacy training in Taiwan. Key differences in incoming students’ educational backgrounds and graduates’ professional distributions require adaptation of U.S. principles to local needs. The analysis highlights Taiwan’s challenges, including transitions to a six-year Pharm.D., integration of theory and practice, optimization of licensure assessments, and strengthening internship structures through improved patient-centered clinical competencies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Current Challenges of Pharmacy Education and Practice in Taiwan

U.S. Pharmacy Education Model Transformation

Integration with NAPLEX and Licensing Alignment

Implications for Taiwan Pharmacy Training

Insights from the United States to Integrate Pharmacy Education with the Pharmacist Licensure Examination to Improve Pharmacy Training in Taiwan Shu-Wen Lin1§ ; Yu-Hsueh Wu2§ ; Li-Jiuan Shen3* Abstract This study aims to explore insights from the pharmacy education and pharmacist licensure examination system in the United States (U.S.), providing valuable guidance for improving pharmacy training in Taiwan. However, it is essential to recognize the differences in the educational backgrounds of incoming students and the distribution of graduates’ professional fields between the U.S. and Taiwan. Consequently, we need to learn the principles and core values of U.S. pharmacy education while also aligning with and meeting the localized needs of Taiwan to achieve the goal of continuously enhancing and optimizing pharmacy education in Taiwan. Currently, pharmacy education and practice in Taiwan face several key challenges, including the transition from a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree to a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) curriculum, the need for better integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications, the optimization of licensure examination assessment methods, and the structural enhancement of internship opportunities. The U.S. pharmacy education model has undergone a significant transformation, shifting its focus from a traditional emphasis on compounding and dispensing to a more patient-centered, clinical pharmacy practice approach. This transition has been accompanied by the adoption of a competency-based pharmacy education (CBPE) framework, which defines clear and assessable learning outcomes to ensure that graduates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and clinical competencies to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. This CBPE model can serve as a valuable reference for Taiwan to enhance its own pharmacy education system. Furthermore, the U.S. pharmacy education curriculum is closely integrated with the pharmacist licensing examination, namely the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) . This alignment ensures that the educational program prepares students for the licensure examination, which evaluates the minimal competencies required for entry-level pharmacists to provide direct patient care. Incorporating similar approaches in Taiwan could strengthen the connection between pharmacy education and the national licensure examination. By learning from the successful practices of [the U.S. pharmacy](the U.S. pharmacy) education and licensing system, professionals can refine their own pharmacy training framework, ultimately leading to the development of a more competent and adaptable pharmacy workforce that is well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare landscape in Taiwan. Keywords: pharmacy education, competency-based education, pharmacist licensure exam 1 Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan/ Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan/ Director, Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan/ 2 Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 3 Professor, Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan/ Professor, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan/ Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan § Shu-Wen Lin and Yu-Hsueh Wu have equal contributions to this article *Corresponding author 借鏡美國之整合性藥學教育到藥師執照考試精神，精進臺灣藥師之教考訓用林淑文1§、吳侑學2§ 、沈麗娟3* 摘要本研究旨在探討借鏡美國藥學教育和藥師執照考試制度，以提供改善臺灣藥師培訓寶貴指引。然而，我們應注意美國與臺灣在入學學生的教育背景與畢業生的專業領域分布上存在差異。因此，我們需學習美國藥學教育之原則和核心價值，同時也要符合並滿足臺灣在地化的需求，以達成持續提升和優化臺灣藥學教育的目標。目前，臺灣藥學教育面臨幾項關鍵挑戰，包括從藥學系四 / 五年的學士學位(B. S.)到六年制臨床藥學士(Pharm.D.)的課程、理論知識與實務應用的整合、藥師執照考試評估方法的

FAQs

What is the main purpose of this study for Taiwan’s pharmacy training?

To draw insights from U.S. pharmacy education and the pharmacist licensure examination system to improve how pharmacy training is organized and optimized in Taiwan.

Which major challenges in Taiwan’s pharmacy education are discussed?

The study highlights the transition to a six-year Pharm.D. curriculum, better integration of theory with practice, improving licensure examination assessment methods, and enhancing the structure and meaningfulness of internships.

How does the U.S. pharmacy education model differ from the earlier traditional approach?

It shifted from traditional emphasis on compounding and dispensing toward a patient-centered clinical pharmacy practice model using competency-based pharmacy education (CBPE) with assessable learning outcomes.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Violet