Ray Mary Elizabeth, Ellington Thomas M, Lebovitz Lisa, Spinler Sarah A, Sobieraj Diana M, Kelsch Michael P, Chen Aleda M H
University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Shenandoah University, Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy, Winchester, VA, USA.
Am J Pharm Educ. 2025 Jul;89(7):101427. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2025.101427. Epub 2025 May 31.
Declining NAPLEX pass rates are prompting widespread discussions and urgent investigations into potential causes, including an examination of PharmD program characteristics, curriculum, student preparedness, and an evolving exam blueprint. Many studies have been conducted to understand the association of various factors with NAPLEX success, and individual programs have attempted to address these factors with mixed results. It is time to include additional stakeholders and collaborate on solutions. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and PharmD programs (including preceptors and students) are all invested in and may influence NAPLEX outcomes. Specific recommendations for the NABP and the ACPE include increasing transparency regarding the timing and process of exam blueprint changes, coordinating a structured crosswalk between ACPE standards and NAPLEX content, and considering overall pass rates as a measurable outcome of program quality. PharmD programs should consider strategies such as engaging preceptors in exam preparation and providing proactive, structured student support for skills such as time management. Collectively, AACP members can leverage their expertise to develop shared resources, such as a practice question bank. Enhancing alignment between education and licensure ensures that pharmacy graduates are prepared for practice, ultimately benefiting patient care.
北美执业药师执照考试（NAPLEX）通过率的下降引发了广泛讨论，并促使人们对潜在原因展开紧急调查，其中包括对药学博士（PharmD）项目特点、课程设置、学生准备情况以及不断演变的考试蓝图进行审查。已经开展了许多研究来了解各种因素与通过NAPLEX考试之间的关联，各个项目也试图解决这些因素，但结果参差不齐。现在是时候让更多利益相关者参与进来，并共同合作寻求解决方案了。全国药学委员会协会（NABP）、药学教育认证委员会（ACPE）、美国药学院协会（AACP）以及药学博士项目（包括带教老师和学生）都与NAPLEX考试结果相关，并且可能会对其产生影响。对NABP和ACPE的具体建议包括提高考试蓝图变更时间和流程的透明度，协调ACPE标准与NAPLEX考试内容之间的结构化对应关系，并将总体通过率视为项目质量的可衡量指标。药学博士项目应考虑采取一些策略，比如让带教老师参与考试准备工作，以及为时间管理等技能提供积极、结构化的学生支持。总体而言，AACP成员可以利用他们的专业知识来开发共享资源，比如一个练习题库。加强教育与执照颁发之间的一致性可确保药学专业毕业生为从业做好准备，最终使患者护理受益。
