Pharmacy Board in Saudi Arabia

A Pharmacy Practice Residency Program instills a philosophy of practice that embraces the concept that pharmacists must be responsible and accountable for optimal drug therapy.

Residency Program

The first year program is established to ensure that Saudi pharmacists possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to function effectively in various areas of pharmacy practice.

The second year residency experience is designed to develop independent practitioners with knowledge and expertise in pharmacy practice.  The residency is a hospital-based clinical experience with emphasis on pharmaceutical care.  The principal training site is the Pharmacy Department of major hospitals; patient care rotations are scheduled with clinical pharmacists.

The candidates are required to pass two (2) examinations in order to successfully complete the program: first exam is taken twelve months after joining the program, second is held at the end of the second year. The residents will present two presentations for his/her colleagues in the monthly residents meeting. In addition, the resident will present a minimum of two additional presentations in his/her site.

Duration of The Program

First year: 12 months of continuous hospital pharmacy training

Second year: 12 months of comprehensive clinical training

Residency period: January - December

First Level of The Program

Objectives

• To ensure that Saudi pharmacists possess the technical competence and requisite knowledge to perform assigned duties that promote safe, efficient, and reliable pharmacy procedures.

• To ensure that Saudi pharmacists maintain, improve, and enhance their technical competence and knowledge through participation in ongoing and specialized training programs in various areas of pharmacy expertise.

Program Structure and Details 

Pharmacist training program is a systematic approach to all aspects of pharmacy practice.  It incorporates all practice areas into different modules as follows and must be completed by all participants.

Examination and Progression 

The candidate will take 1 exams at the end of this first year.   The participants who successfully complete the requirements of the training program and pass the exam during the first year will be eligible for promotion to second year residency.

Evaluation 

• Residents will be evaluated continuously throughout and at the end of each rotation using the attached forms.  Such evaluation will be discussed individually with the resident.
• Residents’ will submit the site and preceptor evaluations at the end of each rotation. At the end of each quarter (3-month period), the Advisory Committee at each sit will evaluate the resident’s progress based on the evaluation forms and the resident’s progress report.

Second Level of The Program

Objectives

• To ensure that Saudi pharmacists possess the technical competence and requisite knowledge to perform assigned duties that promote safe, efficient, and reliable pharmacy procedures.
• To ensure that Saudi pharmacists maintain, improve, and enhance their technical competence and knowledge through participation in ongoing and specialized training programs in various areas of pharmacy expertise.

Program Structure and Details 

Pharmacist training program is a systematic approach to all aspects of pharmacy practice.  It incorporates all practice areas into different modules as follows and must be completed by all participants.

Admission Requirements 

The participants should successfully complete the requirements of the training program and pass the exam during the first year to be eligible for promotion to second year residency.

 Education Process 

• Residents will be evaluated continuously throughout and at the end of each rotation using the attached forms.  Such evaluation will be discussed individually with the resident.
• Residents’ will submit the site and preceptor evaluations at the end of each rotation. At the end of each quarter (3-month period), the Advisory Committee at each sit will evaluate the resident’s progress based on the evaluation forms and the resident’s progress report.

Vacations 

• Residents are entitled to 30 days vacation annually and a maximum of 10 days for both Eid holidays and emergency leave.
• Sick leave will be compensated for during or at the end of the training.

Certificates Gained By The Participants

The pharmacist who has completed this program will gain the required skills for effective communication with the medical team leading to a better involvement in patient care.   Initially, the training program will expose the pharmacists to a general training residency for a full one year.  Successful candidates will then be able to continue a clinical pharmacy practice residency program for an additional year. 

Program Evaluation

• For every rotation, one evaluation form should be completed by the primary preceptor of the resident to the residency coordinator in the resident's site.
• It is the responsibility of the residency coordinator to keep track of all rotations' evaluation forms and keep them in the resident's file.

At the end of the first year, each site will submit the rotations' evaluation/check lists, as a documentary for completing these rotations, to the central committee.   Any of the documentary rotations' evaluation/checklists missing is the responsibility of the resident’s sites.