Elite Expertise
By Arief Mohammad & Harika Bheemavarapu
In the evolving global healthcare ecosystem, pharmacists are stepping into more prominent and dynamic roles. As directors of Elite Expertise, an education platform committed to guiding internationally trained pharmacists, we’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming—and yet, how rewarding—this journey can be.
Our story didn’t begin in a boardroom but in the real-life struggles of many healthcare professionals who had the qualifications but not the direction. We’ve met pharmacists who gave up after multiple failed attempts at licensing exams and others who didn’t even know such exams existed. It was their uncertainty that inspired our mission—to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity for overseas healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists.
Why Global Pharmacy Careers Matter
Pharmacists are no longer confined to counters and prescriptions. Pharmacists in countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand are now integral to public health, managing chronic diseases, prescribing medications, and providing patient education.
However, despite global demand, thousands of qualified pharmacists remain underutilized due to a lack of awareness, language barriers, or simply not knowing where to begin. We knew we had to do something to change this.
Our Personal Motivation
Arief’s early exposure to this gap came while teaching and working in Australia, where he met highly qualified professionals working as delivery drivers, shelf stockers, or struggling with repeated visa issues. Harika, with her background in pharmaceutical education and mentoring, saw how brilliant minds in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities were being left behind simply because they lacked guidance.
It wasn’t a lack of skill—it was a lack of access.
These experiences didn’t just move us emotionally—they pushed us into action. That action became Elite Expertise.
Challenges Faced by Overseas Pharmacists
Many of the students we mentor are educationally strong but face real barriers like:
- Lack of clarity on licensure pathways in different countries
- Low confidence in English communication
- No access to reliable mentorship
- Financial pressure from poor career choices made due to bad advice
- Many aspiring pharmacists were previously unaware that specific licensure exams exist as essential pathways to pursue a professional career abroad.
We’ve seen students who spent lakhs on unrelated master’s programs abroad, only to find out later that they needed to pass country-specific pharmacy licensing exams to actually work as pharmacists.
That’s where we step in—with clarity, structure, and personalized support.
How Elite Expertise Bridges the Gap
At Elite Expertise, we’ve built programs not just around exams, but around people. Our offerings cater to a wide range of international exams, including:
- OPRA (formerly called KAPS) for Australia and New Zealand
- Australian Pharmacist Intern Written and Oral exams
- PEBC for Canada
- PSI for Ireland
- PTE for English language proficiency
Each course is thoughtfully designed with the following:
- Live interactive classes with experts
- Mock tests and real-exam simulations
- Personalized mentoring sessions
- Recorded content and self-paced quizzes
- Soft skill training and mock interviews
- Career pathway guidance from document evaluation to registration
Our learning ecosystem doesn’t end with exam preparation. It continues with comprehensive support throughout the licensure journey, including registration guidance, mentorship, and tailored career counseling, ensuring our students transition confidently into professional practice.
Transforming Aspirations into Achievements: The Results That Define Elite Expertise
Real Stories, Real Success
Since we first began, Elite Expertise has consistently delivered outstanding results for overseas pharmacists aiming to build global careers. In the July 2023 KAPS exam, 90% of our students passed. This increased to 94% in November 2024, and in March 2024 alone, more than 121 students cleared the exam. These are not just numbers—they represent real pharmacists who are now registered, working, and thriving in Australia, Canada, and Ireland.
Our success doesn’t stop at KAPS. In the OPRA, Intern Written and Oral exams, which are essential steps toward pharmacist registration in Australia, our students have also achieved very high pass rates, many on their first attempt, thanks to our expert-led training and supportive learning environment.
We remember one student from Punjab who had failed the KAPS exam twice before joining us. With the right support and strategy, she passed on her next attempt and is now doing her internship at a top pharmacy in Australia.
The Future of Pharmacy Careers is Global
Healthcare systems worldwide are evolving. In Australia, for example, under the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), pharmacists can now prescribe medications for over 23 conditions, marking a huge shift in their scope and responsibilities.
New visa reforms, such as the 491 regional visa and streamlined pathways, are opening doors for international pharmacists. In Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, there’s a growing demand for pharmacists who are not just clinically competent but culturally prepared.
This is the future we prepare our students for—one filled with opportunity, dignity, and global impact.
Our Vision Moving Forward
Our mission doesn’t stop with exam results. Over the next few years, we aim to expand our reach to more regions, particularly in the US and UK, and introduce upskilling modules that prepare pharmacists not just for jobs but for leadership in healthcare.
We are also developing personalized learning approaches to support students from diverse linguistic backgrounds—especially Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam-speaking students from small towns—so they can confidently compete and succeed on a global stage.
A Message to Aspiring Global Pharmacists
Your degree holds global value to every aspiring pharmacist reading this, but only if you channel it through the right pathway. Don’t fall for shortcuts or misleading promises. You can build a career that reflects your skills with honest guidance, structured preparation, and resilience.
At Elite Expertise, we don’t just teach—we mentor. We believe in your potential and are here to help you unlock it.
Arief Mohammad and Harika Bheemavarapu
Directors, Elite Expertise
