IPG Program Mandatory in Ontario?
Hi! I'm a Filipino pharmacist and I want to practise in Ontario. I'm planning to take the Evaluating Exam this January 2011. I spoke to a few people who are licensed in Ontario and they told me that enrolment in the U of T's IPG program is not necessary to be licenced in Ontario. Is there any truth in this? The OCP website makes the IPG program look like it's a mandatory requirement for licensure. Can anybody please clarify this for me?
Thank you very much!
Thank you for the reply! I'll take that in mind. The IPG courses are just really expensive so I don't know what to do yet regarding that. Erm, I've another silly question: if I sign up for OCP after I pass the EE, can I sign up for studentship without any problems if I don't take the IPG courses? When would it be better to do the Studentship and Internship, before passing the QE or after passing the QE?
As far as I know in Ontario you cannot start your studentship / internship after passing the EE exam. You need to passed the Qualifying exam first, before you can start your studentship/ internship. You can apply as pharmacy assisstant if you want to become familiar in pharmacy setting but still it is not counted as studentship.The difference if you enrolled the cps courses after passing the cps 1 ; they will recommend you to the OCP that you can start your studentship even you haven't take your QE , all you need is to find your preceptor. I know CPS program are really expensive but they are offering a bursary check their website.
You can also check College of Pharmacy from other provinces . I think different provinces have different rules interms of studentship and internship. But, I guess the best way to rid out all your confusion passed all the exam and everything will go in a smooth way. Goodluck
Thank you so much for your help! God bless.
until now, IPG program is not mandatory, but from my experience it helps you get your licence fast and and consequently you save time and money. For example, they teach you how to practice in Canada and they increase your confidence which pharmacist needs to perform his/her job efficiently.
Mohamed Migdady
As of now it's not mandatory but many IPG prefer to enroll to that program because it will help them to get their license in a shorter period of time. Many IPG tried to take the qualifying exam through self study and review centre but some did'nt passed. The IPG program will help you to prepare , developed your skills to become a good pharmacist . If your confident that you can pass the qualifying exam then you can choose not to enroll. It may be very intensive and nerve wracking as what they said but I guess it's worth it to enroll on that class.