Yeah, I've been going crazy.
@The ELPharmD question: I read this PDF on U of T's plans on turning the Bachelors to an ELPharmD like in the US. If interested please visit: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=5194
Pay close attention to the admission requirements. U of T is obviously trying to make the transition to ELPharmD as smooth as possible. According to the proposal, the change should've been 2010, but I believe they wanted to make sure the MMIs went smoothly. I thought that was a great administrative strategy because changing too much at one time would've made things super inefficient. This way they can realize the amount of time and man-power required to the interviews and make a very smooth transition to PharmD.
Pay close attention to:
"Phasing out of the post-baccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy Program (PharmD) Depending on when final approval for the new curriculum is received, a plan should be in place for phasing out the current face-to-face and flexible PharmD program. If the curriculum is implemented in September 2010 as planned, students from the current PharmD program will need to graduate prior to June 2014.
Bridging Program: The current distance PharmD program will require modifications to roll out as a bridging program for pharmacists. The start date for this program will depend on the date of implementation of the new program and the minimum time required for training pharmacists (students from the bridging program can graduate at the same time or any time after, the first graduation date of students in the ELPD program)."
There definitely will be a bridging program. I can't really figure out exactly what they are planning, but it seems like BSPharm candidates will take part in a Part-time bridging program? Anyways, the information is all there for your reading pleasures! It is a little outdated though.
This one is the same debate going on at UWaterloo: http://www.secretariat.uwaterloo.ca/governance/Senate/201002220agsec.pdf
I would copy and paste the relevant bit, but its quite a long proposal. For people who are interested do the following:
*Ctrl + F* ---> PharmD ----> *Enter key*
The relevant tidbit:
"Availability to UW Pharmacy Students and Practicing Pharmacists
o To retain our competitive edge, particularly with University of Toronto and at a time when we are
looking for enrolment growth, it is proposed that this change occur as soon as UW and government
approval have been obtained (anticipated Spring 2010), This would mean that students in the Classes of
2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 would need to be offered an upgrading option,
o Students in our current BScPhm program would be given the option of completing the PharmD (we
expect close to a 100% transfer rate),
o The a~justments in co-op and academic work terms proposed in the PharmD program would be
put into effect for the BScPhm students (Classes of2012 and 2013 only). However, all Classes
of BScPhm students would not have the additional courses or more extensive clinical experience
in 4th year.
o The Classes of 20 11 and 2012 would have one additional modification, Their final co-op work
term would have a required direct patient care focus.
o One exception is requested for the timing of this approval. For the Class of 20 11 to benefit from
the revised curriculum, it is requested that their A7 work term in Spring 2011 be modified to
reflect the PharmD A 7 work term.
o Graduates from other Schools/Faculties of Pharmacy in Canada (practicing pharmacists), At this
time, there are no plans to offer a bridging programJor practicing pharmacists. University of Toronto
currently offers a variety of options for practicing pharmacists to get their PharmD."
As you all can see, these are proposals. Both indicate that the ELPharmD transition was supposed to occur this cycle, but for numerous reasons it did not. It is also apparent that both universities are pushing to make this change in order to keep themselves competitive and to keep their students competitive in terms of numerous fellowships and residencies. The change is coming and its going to be very soon. For all those people who are in BSPharm and others who will enter BSPharm before these changes are put into places, there will be a bridging program and you WILL NOT be left behind.
Also if people are interested:
http://www.pharmacists.ca/content/cpjpdfs/nov_dec06/EntryLevelPharmD_Koleba.pdf - A great read on the review of the Canadian system vs the ELPharmD system in the US. Some information is present on the debates related to transition to ELPharmD. Its a little outdated, but its a nice read nonetheless.
