Case Study: The North American Pharmacist Licensing Exams

“Pharmacists dispense medication and other approved remedies, often following a patient’s visit to a physician.” Upon dispensing this medication, pharmacists require understanding of dosage, regulation of the medication, allergens, and chemical reactions that can affect the individual. One of his or her primary goals as a pharmacist is to be mindful of public health and safety, ensuring that society under his or her supervision follows safety protocols when it comes to storage and distribution of medication. Pharmacists must inhibit good communication skills when explaining the steps of taking medication and avoiding potentially harmful side effects (Jones, 2014, “Pharmacist”). Pharmacists are the only individuals who have a full understanding and can explain medication and reactions …show more content…
The most common test is the North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam, also known as NAPLEX, consisting of a 185 question test which demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge. At the core of the test, the purpose is to ascertain the following abilities, including “optimize medicinal and therapeutic outcomes for patients, prepare and distribute medication safely and accurately, and to educate patients on optimal health care.” In some states, passing the NAPLEX means licensure as a pharmacist, however some must pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination also known as MPJE in conjunction with the NAPLEX. The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence is a two-hour, 90-question test that reveals a candidate’s knowledge of pharmacy law. If he or she fails the NAPLEX or other required examination, he or she may get the opportunity to retake it. Retaking the exam requires an additional fee and written approval by a state or national pharmacy body, however some states have a set limit on the number of times the candidate can retake a test (Jones, 2014,