Exchange Programs Highlight International Practice

Pacific pharmacy students are learning our profession globally.

During Fall 2019, four of our third-year pharmacy students at Pacific participated in global Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) courses.

Aimy Ung and Jennifer Nguyen took part in an exchange in Tokyo with Hoshi University, where they participated in hands-on research projects. Meanwhile, Samantha Umetsu and Sarah Li participated in an exchange with Musashino University, where they focused on regulatory science, visiting a clinical research institute and the PMDA, Japan’s equivalent of the FDA.

During their travels, students examined the differences in how societies handle controlled medications, as well as how traditional/natural medicines are integrated with Western medicine in treating patients.

Students also enjoyed the opportunity to sightsee, partake in authentic Japanese food, and interact with local pharmacists and pharmacy students.

In February, the Pacific University School of Pharmacy will host two pharmacy students from Masashino University for the first time, and in 2020-2021, we will start offering a new global APPE partnership with the Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara (JSS) College of Pharmacy in India. 

Pacific’s Office of Global Pharmacy Education and Research is looking for more opportunities for exchange students to shadow or interact with Portland-area pharmacists. If you are interested in sharing your experience and practice, please contact Marina Suzuki, director of the Office of Global Education and Research, at marina.suzuki@pacificu.edu.