Global Career Opportunities for Pharm.D Graduates

Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduates from India or abroad the options for your career Overseas is immense. They have wide range of career opportunities globally. Qualified pharmacists fall under skilled workers in majority of the countries offering a very promising career spectrum like clinical pharmacy, research, regulatory affairs, and the pharmaceutical industry. In this article let’s talk about the top destinations for Pharm.D graduates and the career opportunities available. To name a few:

Canada

Canada offers excellent job opportunities for Pharm.D graduates, particularly in hospital and community pharmacy. To practice in Canada, international graduates must pass the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) exams, which include the Evaluating Exam (EE) and the Qualifying Exam (QE) which includes the MCQ and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Additionally, candidates must complete a period of practical training.

pharmacistsgatewaycanada.ca

Job Opportunities:

• Community Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Pharmaceutical Consultant

• Drug Safety Associate

Australia

Australia is a popular destination for international pharmacists due to its structured pharmacy profession and increasing demand in rural areas. To work in Australia, Pharm.D graduates must pass the OPRA exam (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment), previously called the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam conducted by the APC. Following the OPRA exam one needs to pass the Australian Intern Written Exam (conducted by APC or Australian Pharmacy Council) and the Australin Intern Oral Exam (Conducted by the Ahpra) once the candidate completes 75% of the internship hours. After the registration the candidate can be eligible to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.

pharmacyboard.gov.au

Job Opportunities:

• Hospital and Community Pharmacist

• Pharmaceutical Researcher

• Regulatory Affairs Specialist

• Medication Safety Officer

United Kingdom

Pharm.D graduates looking to work in the UK must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and complete the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP), followed by a pre-registration training year and the registration exam.

pharmacistsupport.org

Job Opportunities:

• Clinical Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Regulatory Affairs Specialist

• Quality Control/Assurance Manager

Ireland

Ireland is another excellent option, with a growing need for pharmacists. To practice, international graduates must have their qualifications recognized through the Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) process and become a registered pharmacist in Ireland.

psi.ie

Job Opportunities:

• Community and Hospital Pharmacist

• Pharmaceutical Industry Roles

• Regulatory Affairs Associate

• Drug Development Researcher

New Zealand

New Zealand offers opportunities for Pharm.D graduates, particularly in community and hospital pharmacy.

1. Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) Pathway:

• Eligibility: Pharmacists who obtained their qualifications and are registered in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK), or the United States of America (USA).

• Requirements:

  • Pass the CAOP exam.

  • Complete the New Zealand Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) course.

  • Internship: An internship is not required for pharmacists in this pathway.

2. Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Pathway:

• Eligibility: Pharmacists from countries other than Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, and Australia.

• Requirements:

  • Pass the OPRA exam.

  • Complete the NZPL course.

  • Internship: After passing the OPRA exam and NZPL course, candidates must:

    • Register in the Intern Pharmacist Scope of Practice.

    • Enroll in the EVOLVE Internship Programme, which involves a period of supervised practice.

For detailed information, please refer to the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand's official website:

• CAOP Pathway:

pharmacycouncil.org.au

• OPRA Pathway:

pharmacycouncil.org.au

Additionally, the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand provides comprehensive guidance for overseas pharmacists seeking registration:

pharmacycouncil.org.nz

pharmacycouncil.org.au

Job Opportunities:

• Community Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Clinical Research Associate

• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Emerging Opportunities for Pharm.D Graduates

Beyond traditional pharmacy roles, Pharm.D graduates can explore careers in:

• Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety

• Medical Writing and Medical Affairs

• Health Informatics and Digital Health

• Regulatory Affairs and Compliance

• Academia and Research

United States

The U.S. is a prime destination for Pharm.D graduates due to its advanced healthcare system and high demand for clinical pharmacists. To work as a pharmacist in the U.S., international graduates must obtain the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).

nabp.pharmacy

Job Opportunities:

• Clinical Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Research Scientist

• Regulatory Affairs Specialist

• Pharmacovigilance Specialist

Final Thoughts

Pharm.D graduates have immense opportunities globally, provided they meet the licensure and regulatory requirements of the respective countries. Whether pursuing clinical practice, research, or industry roles, the demand for skilled pharmacists continues to grow, making it an exciting career choice.

For those planning to work abroad, it's essential to stay updated on licensing exams, visa regulations, and job market trends in their target country. With the right preparation, Pharm.D graduates can build successful international careers in pharmacy.

Also read the following blogs for knowledge in:

OPRA exam: https://www.eliteexpertise.com.au/overseas-pharmacists-readiness-assessment-opratm

OSPAP exam: https://www.eliteexpertise.com.au/ospap-exam

PEBC exam: https://www.eliteexpertise.com.au/pebc-evaluating-exam-major-updates-coming-in-june-2025

PSI exam: https://www.eliteexpertise.com.au/psi-equivalence-exam-ireland

Mr. Arief Mohammad is renowned for his excellent teaching skills and practice-based experience which can contribute to developing practice-based knowledge for a learner. He has been a practicing pharmacist in Australia for the last 5 years and has been a preceptor to several students and intern pharmacists.

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Arief Mohammad