Foreign Pharmacy Graduate
Equivalency Examination (FPGEE)
Syllabus
Official Competency Statements from the National
Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
The FPGEE is a comprehensive examination that assesses the knowledge of foreign pharmacy
graduates. The content is divided into four major areas, each with a specific weighting.
Area 1: Basic Biomedical Sciences (Approximately 10% of Test)
This section assesses foundational knowledge in the sciences that underpin pharmacy practice.
● 1.1 Physiology: Function of major body systems and homeostatic impact at the organ
and system level.
● 1.2 Biochemistry:
○ Chemistry and utilization of biomacromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates,
nucleic acids).
○ Enzymology, coenzymes, and kinetics.
○ Cell chemistry and signal transduction pathways.
○ Recombinant DNA and molecular biotechnology.
○ mRNA translation and protein synthesis.
● 1.3 Microbiology Related to Human Disease:
○ Structure, function, and characteristics of microorganisms.
○ Pathogenic microorganisms of humans.
● 1.4 Immunology:
○ Innate and adaptive immunity.
○ Principles of antibody actions.
○ Hypersensitivity and types of reactions.
Area 2: Pharmaceutical Sciences (Approximately 33% of Test)
This is a major component of the exam, focusing on the properties, development, and delivery
of drugs.
● 2.1 Medicinal Chemistry: Physicochemical properties of drugs, structure-activity
relationships, and chemical pathways of drug metabolism.
● 2.2 Pharmacology and Toxicology: Mechanisms of action, pharmacodynamics, adverse
effects, and drug interactions.
● 2.3 Pharmacognosy and Dietary Supplements: Concepts of crude, semi-purified, and
purified natural products; science and regulation of dietary supplements.
● 2.4 Pharmaceutics/Biopharmaceutics: Principles of drug delivery via various dosage
forms and principles of drug stability.
● 2.5 Pharmacokinetics: Basic principles of in-vivo drug kinetics (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion), bioavailability, and bioequivalence.
● 2.6 Pharmacogenomics and Genetics: Genetic basis of disease and genetic variants
affecting drug action and metabolism.
● 2.7 Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding: United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
guidelines and techniques.
Area 3: Social, Behavioral, and Administrative Sciences
(Approximately 22% of Test)
This section covers the context in which pharmacy is practiced in the United States.
● 3.1 Health Care Delivery Systems and Public Health: US healthcare system, role of
insurers, and public health principles.
● 3.2 Population-Based Care and Pharmacoepidemiology.
● 3.3 Economic and Humanistic Outcomes of Health Care Delivery.
● 3.4 Pharmacy Practice Management: Management principles, personnel management,
and risk management.
● 3.5 Pharmacy Law and Regulatory Affairs: Federal laws and regulations governing
pharmacy practice.
● 3.6 Biostatistics and Research Design.
● 3.7 Ethical Decision Making: Principles of biomedical ethics and handling ethical
dilemmas.
● 3.8 Professional Communication.
● 3.9 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Pharmacy Practice.
● 3.10 Medication Dispensing and Distribution Systems.
Area 4: Clinical Sciences (Approximately 35% of Test)
This is the largest section of the exam, focusing on the application of knowledge to patient care.
● 4.1 Evidence-based Practice: Interpretation and evaluation of drug information.
● 4.2 Clinical Pathophysiology.
● 4.3 Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
● 4.4 Clinical Pharmacogenomics.
● 4.5 Disease Prevention and Population Health.
● 4.6 Patient Assessment: Gathering and interpreting patient information.
● 4.7 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Decision Making: Application of
knowledge to manage a wide range of diseases and conditions.
This document is for informational purposes. For the most current and official version, please
refer to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website.
