May 18 2008
PHILIPPINE FPGEE SHARING INFORMATION AND COMMENTS
Hey Everyone!
I noticed that in most forums they really discouraged forming a group base on race, as reasonable as it is, sometimes we would still want to talk specifically to somebody who we can relate to.
I am dedicating this page for those who will be taking their Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Exam who are Filipino and who would want to share their experience or perhaps for those who may have some inquiries. Feel free to help anybody or blog about your experience. My goal here is not to discriminate rather than to support those who are having difficulty getting information. Hopefully I can help in my own little way as well as those who will be blogging and visiting this site.
I have shared my experience to this site since I myself took the FPGEE too last Dec 2007. We have a group in LA (all Filipino) that help each other to make the review easier. Its not a formal review with a guideline of what to discuss per week but nevertheless it has been most helpful. There are some who made a comment already after I posted my experience back in January, but really the reason why I had that post is chiefly to share how I am feeling at that time I got the result. But now, I am opening this to help our kababayans who will be on the same process.
I am studying now for my TOEFL, hopefully everything will turn out good so I can start my internship already here in CA.
Some Books I suggest you read before taking the test:
1. Comprehensive Pharmacy Review by Leon Shargel- this is a great book but I think it is not enough to use alone for the FPGEE, as the title says this is a review so there may be some topic in which you have to browse to the basics again. But if everything is still fresh on your mind then it would be easier to study this. In my case, I graduated 10 years ago so, there are things that I forgot already that didn’t stop me from my goal of being a pharmacist. So I supplemented other materials for the test.
2. Manan Shroff- I bought the whole set 5 books and cds. I will say that it is a good supplement but start with other material first since there is quite a number of errors in this book. Thus, if you have prepared well already you will be familiar with those irregularities. Generally, there is still a lot you can learn from this book. I know somebody who passed the test, she took a risk and just used this material. The main purpose of her taking the test is just to familiarize herself. Risky but she made it. I wouldn’t suggest it though. It is still better to be prepared in a battle. The Pharmacy Management and Pharmacoeconomics are really important as well for the afternoon part of the test.
3. Dr Dutta Pharmacy review I have never used this, but I have heard good reviews about this because it follows the FPGEE blueprint. So if anybody has used this please share what you think of the book.
I am a person who use book as my security blanket, thats why if I feel what I know is not sufficient enough I borrow books from the library. 10 years of not dealing with the basic pharmacy subjects is a long time, although I am a doctor our study is more on diagnosis and management, in contrast to making a drug work to be used for the diagnosis and treatment. I borrowed several books from the library like Easy Way books of different subject matters, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, and I also got an Immunology book. I bought a separate book for General Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Calculations. I am not saying this step is the right step to partake to be successful in the exam since everyone of us has a different study pattern and habits. I just want everyone to know that even if I am a doctor I still went through the same process as most of the test taker has gone through, back from scratch since I was not expose to the work field of a pharmacist. More or less if you are able to answer the 1000 question and answer from Manan Shroff(80%), it gives you an idea on how far you have gone to your study. Just don’t take the basic subjects for granted cause even if it doesn’t have the same bearing as the major subject has like those of the Phar Cal or Phar Chemistry, everything counts since we don’t know which questions are just being used for evaluation for the next exam.
Good Luck to Everyone who is Taking the test this June 28th!
hi! i’m ann. i graduated bs pharmacy last 2006. since i only have a 4 year curriculum, i am not qualified to take the fpgee since they require a 5 years course. is taking pharmd here in the phils qualify me for the said exam? do you know any options? thanks.
Hi Ann! I am not that familiar with your situation although I heard cause one of those who attended the review with us took masteral in a university in Manila said she was rejected by NABP. I also heard that they offer a curriculum somewhere in Cebu maybe in San Carlos, I am not that sure but they said that this was acceptable. That person that I was referring to is currently completing some subjects here in USA so she can sit in for the next test.
I would honestly suggest that you talked to persons who graduated after 2003 since they will be more knowlegable with regards to your situation.
Sorry for the limited info.
Hopefully when I get a chance to meet with the study group again, I will inquire about your case.
Hello! You are worry of having 4 year Pharmacy curriculum? Then come to Davao City . One Pharmacy School named: University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) is offering a 1-year Clinical Pharmacy, to add -on your 4 year BS Pharmacy Curriculum in order to qualify the FPGEE requirements.
Hopefully, you can enroll for 2nd Semester or next school year.
WELCOME to Davao City.
Hello there, I’m also in the same situatio, having graduated from a 4 year pharmacy course, Is the univeristy of Immaculate Conception a sure thing? Would it really qualify us to sit for the fpgee? Thanks any info would do
hi abby i found your site at testmagic.i really enjoyed reading your blogs.i took my fpgee last december 6 (just few days ago) in chicago. honestly, i had a hard time with it.
Thanks Lanie. I hope some info I shared will be of help to you. Actually when I took the test last year, I had a hard time too. All I can think of are the mistakes I made and the difficult questions I encountered. I was pessimistic at first but then I manage to keep my hopes up and expect for the best. Thank God! my prayers and hard work has been answered. Enjoy the holidays and keep hanging in there. God has wonderful plans for each of us
Stay positive!
hi, I’m tina…found your site at test magic.. I have been wanting to take FPGEE for a long time now,, but really worrying for a lot of things…I think I worry too much that i can’t decide what step should I take first…hope you could advice me.. By the way, I am located in the Philippines.
Hi Tina! Thanks for visiting our website. First of all I would like to know more things about you, like when you graduated? Are you willing to go through tremendous task for the sake of achieving whatever your goals are? What are your expectations?
Hope to hear from you soon.
This would give me an idea of more or less what will be the best step to take, an advise as a colleague and not an expert
abby
I graduated last 1999. I know that it really takes a lot of hardwork and perseverance to passed FPGEE and I am willing to do that. I would like to work in the US and a pharmacist and taking and passing the FPGEE is one of the steps I should take to do it. Hope to hear from you again.. Thanks!
I graduated in 1997, then that means you don’t have to worry about the cut-off which is 2003 I think which needs some additional subjects for completion.
There are several review class in Manila where you can enroll for some refresher of the pharma topics but if you are not at ease doing that then you can self-study just like what I did. Although I attended group study on saturdays for most of the week I studied by myself. It’s just that having a group also helps for some support and additional info that you may need.
Another thing that is important to consider is Visa. It is a fact that just because you will be taking FPGEE you will be given a visa. There are some who may be lucky to get one but not everybody will be given due to this. If you will be able to take care of your visa first then that will be one less thing to worry and at least once you started studying you know for sure that you will be able to take the test.
Once you get here and pass, you can then apply for sponsorship offered by some companies though you have to wait for 1-2 yrs I think. I am not so familiar with the whole process since I came with an immigrant status acquired by marriage. But maybe this forum might help you for some additional info http://www.testmagic.com/forums.
Good luck to you. Happy Holidays!
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