Pharmacy Education Quality Assurance in China: Moving Towards a National Accreditation System?

Authors

  • Xiaoyuan Xu Office of Educational Administration, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
  • Xiaming Wu Office of Educational Administration, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
  • Jiping Wang School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • Andrew K Davey School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia

Keywords:

Education Assessment, Quality Assurance, China, Pharmacy

Abstract

Pharmacy programs in the UK, USA and Australasia have long been subject to assessment, initially by professional accreditation bodies and more recently by national university quality assurance agencies. This has had positive effects in terms of quality despite concerns around increased costs, workload, and stifling of innovation in curricula. The process of assessment of pharmacy courses is relatively new to China. This has come by way of reform and implementation of assessment across the entire higher education sector which has led to positive outcomes across the board. However, pharmacy-specific assessment processes are yet to be implemented. This paper details recent developments in assessment of pharmacy programs in China and compares the current status and future direction with Western counterparts.

References

Australian Pharmacy Council (2005). Accreditation of Pharmacy Degree Courses in Australia and New Zealand: Accreditation criteria (Version 1).

http://www.apec.asn.au/PDF/NAPSACAccredCriteria.pdf

Australian Pharmacy Council (2007). Accreditation of Pharmacy Degree Courses in Australia and New Zealand: Guidelines and procedures for accreditation (Version 4). http://www.apec.asn.au/PDF/NAPSAC_accreditation_guidelines_2005.pdf

Florence, A.T. (2002). Accreditation and quality assurance: an alternative view. Pharmacy Education. 2(3), 143-145.

Haetwig, L. (2003). Quality assessment and quality assurance in higher education in Germany. Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung, Heft 1, 25. Jahrgang, 64-82.

Marshall, I.G. (2002). Subject review –what are we trying to achieve? Pharmacy Education. 2(3), 141-142.

Serajuddin, A.T. (1998). Education in pharmaceutical sciences needs a brand new direction to meet the challenges of drug research and development. Pharmaceutical Research. 15, 8–10.

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How to Cite

Xu, X., Wu, X., Wang, J., & Davey, A. K. (2015). Pharmacy Education Quality Assurance in China: Moving Towards a National Accreditation System?. Pharmacy Education, 10. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/268

Issue

Vol. 10 (2010)

Section

Research Article

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