Why Study Pharmacy in China

Brief introduction 

Pharmacy education in China aims to provide the relevant knowledge and skills that are required for the entry into the pharmacy profession that deals with every aspect of medicines, ranging from the manufacture to the hospitals and drug stores. 

Pharmacy education in China involves an education in compounding and dispensing medications as well as the study of clinical services and providing drug information to patients. Pharmacists are experts on drug therapy; to become experts requires an intense, structured pharmacy education as a foundation. Currently, China is the best place to get pharmacy trainings. Today pharmacy includes clinical services; providing drug information; and reviewing, compounding, and dispensing medication. A Bachelor’s degree is required to practice as a Pharmacist. 

The main reasons for a foreigner to Study Pharmacy in China

Chinese pharmacy education was initially designed to train pharmaceutical practitioners to work in industry or research. In the past two decades, however, well trained pharmacists with clinical knowledge and skills have become urgently needed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality medical care. To date more than 50 colleges are offering a clinical pharmacy program across 19 of the 31 provinces in mainland China. Of these more than 17 provided a clinical pharmacy bachelor’s degree program (BPharm), which was formally approved by the MOE. The other colleges provided a clinical pharmacy concentration as part of pharmacy or medicine degree, aiming to continue attract foreign students in English taught. Providing internships in prestigious hospitals and drugs industries is also the additional opportunities for foreign students who study pharmacy in China. 

Why do you need to consider China for your Pharmacy studies, the following are some main reasons to study Pharmacy in China:

1.  Low cost Pharmacy education and affordable leaving expenses 

Studying and living in China is cheaper than studying and living in European countries, U.S., Japan, South Korea and even in many African countries. Pharmacy curriculum and books used by European or American universities are almost similar by those used by Chinese pharmacy schools. Foods and accommodation in China are affordable for a foreign student. Affordable pharmacy tuition fee in China give most young people from all over the world a hope of achieving their everyday dream of becoming pharmacists. 

2. Scholarship Opportunities  

About 40,600 foreign students received Chinese government scholarships every year. Most of Chinese universities have established scholarship for excellent foreign students in each level, means that you may start as self funding student and in middle of your studies you may get a scholarship. The other option is that starting undergraduate with self funding, then as you already familiar with everything in China you can apply for Chinese government scholarships for your postgraduate studies, note that many more foreigner students use this option.

3. Exploration Chine’s ancient and modern civilization

Studying pharmacy in China is an excellent opportunity to explore China's unique blend of ancient and modern civilization, as well as its scenic beauty and bustling nightlife. Chinese culture and people are extremely diverse and multicultural, consisting of 56 different ethnicities. You'll run into unique customs as you travel to different parts of China, but everyday life, believe it or not, will be just as new and fulfilling.

4. Increased employment prospects

There is still a large shortage of clinical pharmacists in China. According to the statistics of the Pharmacy Administration Commission of the Chinese Hospital Association, more than 2400 new clinical pharmacists are needed every year in order to satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Public Health.

However, Chinese pharmacists alone cannot fill this gap; therefore, international graduate students from Chinese universities are most needed in many Chinese hospitals and industries. The responsibilities of a clinical pharmacist include ensuring patient safety, optimal medication therapy outcomes, and ensuring an appropriate supply of drugs. The employment rate for clinical pharmacy graduates both Chinese and Foreigners reached about 99.5% in most Chinese cities. 

5. Quality of Education and International Recognition

The number of colleges that offer clinical pharmacy education has since increased from 15 in 2006 to 25 in 2011. Most clinical pharmacy programs consist of 4 to 5 academic years of full-time study for bachelors’ degree. In China, disciplines are catalogued into first or second levels. First levels are similar to majors in the US, while second levels are the equivalent of minors or areas of concentration within a major. The 4-year program has a 6-month pharmacy practice experience requirement, whereas the 5-year program has a 1-year pharmacy practice experience requirement. Most Chinese Universities with Pharmacy program have two intakes each year. One in September and another in March, a foreign Students can begin the courses at any of those two intake. 

Pharmacy Education Programs often start with the study of basic sciences such as biology and chemistry followed by core clinical courses on biostatistics, internal medicine, and the basics of diagnosis. These programs are similar to that from US, Australia, UK, France and many other developed countries. Chinese Universities offer variety of degree programs including Bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Master’s degree in Pharmacy and Doctorate/PhD in Pharmacy. Chinese universities have professors with a wide range of experience in Pharmacy, foreign students may learn more from their expertise and to build their own future career.