Monitoring of Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy Based on NAPLEX Passage Rate

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionWe have evaluated two approaches of monitoring schools and colleges of pharmacy based on North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) passage rates. Historically, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) has cited programs based on achieving a passage rate ≥2 SD standard deviations (SD) below the national average. Since the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) no longer reports scores, this procedure is currently being reconsidered. Our supposition is that the failure rate of ≥2 SD below the average passage rate should be retained, but now, based on the national average passage rate. However, we further suggest this is not adequate, due to major variations in class size.CommentaryWe suggest the establishment of a ‘maximum acceptable failure count’, likely in the range of 20-25 failing graduates per class. Analyses of data from 2017-2019 indicate that this approach would lead to monitoring approximately 15% of existing programs that graduate approximately 40% of individuals failing NAPLEX, versus monitoring approximately 5% of programs that graduate approximately 9% of individuals failing NAPLEX.ImplicationsThe historical method of monitoring pharmacy programs with NAPLEX passage based on the national average ≥2 SD is not adequate, primarily due large variations in class size. In that accreditation standards are currently being revised (“Standards 2025”), this would be an ideal time to reconsider methods for selecting programs that warrant monitoring based on inadequate NAPLEX passage rates. We suggest the concept of ‘maximum acceptable failure count’ should be taken into account when identifying programs to be cited.