September/October 2002 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

IPG PROGRAM
International
Pharmacy
Graduate
Program
- an update
Marie Rocchi Dean, B.Sc.Phm.
Education Coordinator
Canadian Pharmacy Skills Academic
Modules
As you know, the Canadian Pharmacy Skills modules (CPS
I and II) have now been integrated into the International
Pharmacy Graduate Program.
You will also recall that the original funding provided to
the Faculty of Pharmacy from the College was to develop
modules that would be suited to a variety of participants
including pharmacists seeking refresher and remedial
opportunities. In the first offerings, the majority of the
program’s students have been international pharmacy graduates,
but the program now admits already-licensed
pharmacists interested in taking CPS classes.
Program Participants and their
Experiences in CPS
Over 100 students have participated during the program’s
first 18 months. We are very pleased to report that the
success rate on the PEBC Qualifying Exam for those who
completed CPS II was 100 per cent! This result clearly
demonstrates the relevance of the curriculum to the entryto-practice
standards.
Referrals to the CPS program from the College’s
Discipline and Quality Assurance committees are also on
the increase. Referred pharmacists who participated in the
modules reported that their experiences were positive and
that they were successful in meeting their learning objectives.
(Note: Members who are referred by these
committees can be assured that all information provided by
the College to the Faculty remains confidential.)
One member wrote, “In taking the course I was nervous
and apprehensive, but everyone involved went the extra
mile. The CPS program is well constructed and is providing
students with actual situations encountered in daily practice
— information gathering, dispensing and patient counselling”.
Another benefit the program offers to practising pharmacists
is the aspect of continuing education. Several
pharmacists have taken our classes to either prepare for
their transition from Part B to Part A of the Register, or to
achieve greater success in their Quality Assurance Practice
Review assessment.
Program Delivery
The modules are offered regularly throughout the year.
Classes are held each day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. All
classes, labs and seminars are held at the St. George
Campus, either at the Faculty or in adjacent buildings. Pay
parking is readily available close to the campus.
CPS I Fall 2002 October 15 - December 6
CPS II Winter 2003 January 13 - March 8
CPS I Spring 2003 May 5 - June 28
CPS II Summer 2003 July 21 - September 12
Please contact the office (416-946-5779) for more
information regarding cost, course content, and the
schedule and registration process for particular areas of
interest (e.g. Therapeutics lectures, Advanced Interviewing
Seminars or Standardized Patient Labs).
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Pharmacy Connection September·October 2002