Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Pharmacy

Registration examination

The syllabus includes an open-book and an oral examination in forensic pharmacy and pharmacy practice.

Written (open-book) examination

This is a two-hour written examination on the subjects of pharmacy legislation and pharmaceutical calculations. This examination is a specified open-book examination, and candidates are permitted to bring into the examination room a copy of the Office Consolidation, the Pharmacy Board of Victoria's Guidelines for Good Pharmaceutical Practice and the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) only. Lecture notes and other materials are not permitted. Candidates are also permitted to bring a non-programmable calculator to use during the examination.
Candidates are advised to refer to the board's Registration Examination Candidate Guide for the examination rules. Candidates in the written examination will be required to achieve a pass mark of 75% in part A (pharmaceutical calculations) and 75% in part B (pharmacy legislation) on the same examination date in order to pass the written examination.

Oral examination

Candidates will be required to communicate effectively with the examiners and demonstrate knowledge of the state and Commonwealth laws relating to the practice of pharmacy in Victoria and to demonstrate competence in reading prescriptions and the management of medication problems.
Candidates will be expected to exhibit knowledge of the responsibilities of pharmacists under the following:

• Pharmacists Act 1974
• Pharmacist Regulations 2003
• Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
• Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995
• Relevant Health Services Acts, Health Records Act and the relevant sections of the regulations
• National Health Act and Regulations
• Pharmacy Board Guidelines for Good Pharmaceutical Practice

Candidates will be permitted to bring into the examination reference material of their choice to use during specific parts of the examination. Parts of the examination must also be completed within specified time limits.
The candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence and fluency in spoken English.

Study guide and examination rules

The board issues a Registration Examination Candidate Guide, which includes the examination rules, in April each year.

Competency standards

In order to assess competence to practise, the board uses `Competency standards for pharmacists in Australia', as set out in the candidate guide.

Closing date of entry

All pre-registrants will be advised of the closing date of entry to the registration examination by a personal communication to their last known address.

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