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Abstract

While Thailand and Japan both mandate a six-year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, their organizational structures and pedagogical approaches diverge significantly. Given the absence of comparative analyses in existing literature, an examination of the disparities between these systems is crucial for informing future reforms aimed at enhancing pharmacy competency. This research endeavors to compare pharmacy education in Thailand and Japan across three key domains: academic programs, training initiatives, and licensure examinations. A document analysis was conducted to collect relevant educational policies and curriculum frameworks from both countries. The study reveals that Japan places greater emphasis on research in the final year and stipulates fewer credit hours, whereas Thailand prioritizes practical internships. Furthermore, Japan maintains a certified preceptor program, a feature absent in Thailand, and the respective licensing examinations differ in format, with Japan employing exclusively multiple-choice questions while Thailand incorporates both competency tests and practical assessments. Addressing these discrepancies is paramount for enhancing pharmacy education and harmonizing training protocols. Variations in curricula, instructional methodologies, and licensure procedures hinder the standardized implementation of the Pharm.D. degree and impact on the pharmacy workforce and healthcare infrastructure in both countries.

Keywords: Pharmacy, Pharmacy education, Pharmacy license, Pharmacy curriculum

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