Addressing problems with the current six-year pharmacy education based on the Pharmacy Education Model Core Curriculum (2022) in Japan

Abstract

Health professional education must respond to the changing societal needs instigated by a significantly aging population and declining birth rate. The curriculum content, including artificial intelligence (AI), information and communication technology (ICT), and student diversity are changing the quality of university enrollees. These changes highlight the urgent need to reassess the quality assurance of pharmacy education in Japan. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) advocates some fundamental guidelines and concepts of pharmacy education that can assist in curriculum development. In addition, this paper proposes some curricular frameworks that can be adopted in individual universities. This could address current problems and ensure quality pharmacy education based on the 2022 Model Core Curriculum in Japan.