The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Program (F.P.G.O.P)

There are people who like to study pharmacy in foreign recognised institutions outside of Nigeria. Most times, these ones graduate and start practising in the country where they schooled.

FGOP

However, a handful of them come back home to start their pharmacy career. For such ones, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (P.C.N) have mandated all foreign graduates of pharmacy to attend a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Program (F.P.G.O.P).

There is a different kind of categories of those who come back to the country to practice pharmacy. Some have no licence of practice in their host country of training before coming. These sets must go for an induction at a time organised by PCN in Abuja. That is after their successful completion of FPGOP after which they must go for an internship in an accredited centre approved by PCN.

Read Also: The Life And Time Of A Day Of A Pharmacy Student In Nigeria

For those who have been licenced to practice pharmacy in their respective country, they will have to undergo the program followed by an internship training in an accredited centre. However, for those who have already started practice in their respective country, they will be granted licence after completion of the program in line with laid down procedure.

It is worthy to note that the program is for any pharmacist outside the shores of Nigeria i.e. pharmacist who graduated outside Nigeria no matter the degree (M. Pharm, B. Pharm, Pharm. D. etc.).

To have a smooth, stress-free program, applicants are advice to get hold of the program manual available at each office of PCN nationwide. The manual explains what to do at each step and what to expect.

The Program Time For FPGOP

The program have been running once a year for some time now, which normally takes place between or during February. However, PCN has increased it to two times in a year. The first one will hold between March and April with the second cycle kicking off by August through September. For the year 2017, the program commences 3rd of April through second of 2nd May 2017.

The Program Duration

The program last for 6 weeks. The first four weeks is strictly for lectures and practical while the next one weeks is designed for revision. Lastly, the examination takes the remaining days.

Venue

There is no fix permanent venue. It changes with each cycle. The venue of each cycle will be communicated to all applicants. The program ran in the first quarter of 2017 at the University of Jos, faculty of pharmaceutical sciences plateau state Nigeria.

Program Schedule

The program is composed of lectures, laboratory, and clinical visitations of seven courses. Courses offered during the program are all clinical pharmacy. Pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical law otherwise known as forensic pharmacy, pharmacognosy and pharmaceutical technology.

The examination covers all courses and practical within the period of the lectures. The examination is composed of 100 Multi choice questions (M.C.Q) with instruction to answer all. In addition, four essay type question that requires careful explanation is included with the option to choice and answer three only.

Read Also: The Introduction Of Compulsory Internship Examination For All Graduates Pharmacy

There are currently 17 centres approved for this program. The venue for the year 2015 was the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, Enugu while 2016 was OOUTH, Sagamu, Ogun State.

The Program

Day one:

A brief welcoming speech shall be delivered to welcome all foreign applicants to the profession in Nigeria with what they can contribute to the success of the program. The deans of the various pharmacy school will be introduced to the applicants with key members of PCN.

There shall be interview consisting of three panels of judges. The interview is to ascertain the qualification of applicants if they have real data which should match with their details. Some few pharmacy related questions shall be thrown at the applicants. Questions include courses offered during school days, project topics etc.

Applicants are to submit documents to back up claims here.

Full classes start some few days later. Classes begin from 09:00 A.M. to 03:00 P.M. The lecture notes are compiled into one which cost varies from cycle to cycle. Other books sold then include pharmacy law book, laboratory manual for pharmacognosy, chemistry, pharmaceutical technology. Laboratory reports and assignments are assessed by lecturers.

How To Apply For FPGOP

There are two methods of application. The first method is to go to PCN office to get the form. There is an amount to be paid for the form, which can be paid at the bank using a bank draft from PCN with all details already inside.

Secondly, the form can be downloaded and submitted online after making payment online or using bank payment. In such a case, there must be evidence from the applicant to such effects.

To submit an application, the following documents may be needed depending on the category of the student.

Document And Information Needed

a. Registration number
b. Date of registration
c. Current licence number
d. Date current licence was issued
e. School transcript
f. Degree certificate
g. Two recent passport coloured photograph
h. Birth certificate
i. O’ level result or its equivalent
j. Evidence of completion of the internship if any
k. Registration certificate in the country of study current licence to practice.

All forms must be submitted before the program starts, which must not be more than two weeks.

Share On Social Media With Family And Friends To Show You Care!