OPRA Syllabus

1. OPRA Syllabus The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is for international pharmacists aspiring to practise in Australia. Formerly known as the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS), the OPRA exam has undergone significant changes to better align with the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice. These updates include modifications in the exam structure, duration, content, and overall focus to ensure it accurately reflects the contemporary role of pharmacists in Australia. The new OPRA syllabus, which emphasises therapeutics and the practical application of knowledge, is designed to assess pharmacists' readiness for internship and professional practice. In this blog, we’ll explore the key updates to the OPRA syllabus and what you can expect in the March 2025 exam. OPRA Exam Syllabus The OPRA Exam consists of five major content areas, each with a specific percentage of questions allocated: 1. Biomedical Sciences– 20% 2. Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics– 10% 3. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics– 10% 4. Pharmacology and Toxicology– 15% 5. Therapeutics and Patient Care– 45% These areas reflect the balanced yet focused approach of the OPRA exam, emphasising both foundational knowledge and practical application in pharmacy practice. Biomedical Sciences Biomedical sciences deal with normal and abnormal body functions, including cellular processes, and how diseases and disorders impact these functions. This encompasses the causes (aetiology) of diseases and disorders and the identification of normal and abnormal body functions. The contents assessed are: ● Physiological processes and normal bodily function for all systems ● Pathophysiology ● Medical Microbiology ● Immunology ● Disorders affecting bodily fluids Academically Global Pvt Ltd. Location Australia: Suite 207A/30 Campbell St, Blacktown NSW 2148 Location India: 46A, 3rd floor, Sidcul IT Park, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand Email: contact@academically.com Phone: +91 8069662074 Phone: +61 416 424 328 / +61 406 525 564

2. ● Symptoms and physiological values of disease states and disorders Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics deal with the fundamentals of drug design and development, including the factors that influence or determine the materials and methods used in medicine formulation. The contents assessed are: ● Physicochemical properties of drugs ● Formulations for the delivery of drugs ● Drug and chemical stability ● Solubility ● Drug formulation ● Pharmaceutical Microbiology Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics deal with factors that affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of medicines from the body, along with how pathophysiological changes influence ADME and the choice of treatment options. The contents assessed are: ● Drug metabolism ● Principles of pharmacokinetics ● Factors affecting drug impacts ● Evaluation of pharmacokinetic data ● Using pharmacokinetic data in treating patients Pharmacology and Toxicology Pharmacology and toxicology deal with how medicines exert their effects on the body, how common chemicals and toxins act, and the identification and management of toxic and adverse effects. The contents assessed are: ● Impact of drugs on the body ● Receptor theory ● Mechanisms of action of drugs ● Adverse drug reactions ● Drug interactions ● Drug toxicity and treatment ● Factors causing changes in the pharmacology and toxicity of drugs Academically Global Pvt Ltd. Location Australia: Suite 207A/30 Campbell St, Blacktown NSW 2148 Location India: 46A, 3rd floor, Sidcul IT Park, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand Email: contact@academically.com Phone: +91 8069662074 Phone: +61 416 424 328 / +61 406 525 564

3. Therapeutics and patient care Therapeutics and patient care deal with the clinical application of content areas 1-4 in patient care, encompassing the principles of health promotion, disease prevention, quality use of medicines, selecting medicines for special populations, and providing medication information. The contents assessed are: ● Screening ● Dose calculations ● Primary health care ● Safe and effective use of medicines in populations requiring extended consideration ● Safe and effective use of medicines ● Harm minimisation ● Health promotion and disease prevention ● Confidentiality Final Words The OPRA exam has been restructured to better align with the current demands and expectations of pharmacy practice in Australia. As pharmacists prepare for the March 2025 OPRA exam, it’s essential to familiarise with these key content areas to ensure a comprehensive understanding and readiness for future practice in Australia. For those aiming to succeed in the upcoming OPRA exam, enrolling in a high-quality OPRA Exam Preparation course can be an invaluable step toward achieving their goal. Academically Global Pvt Ltd. Location Australia: Suite 207A/30 Campbell St, Blacktown NSW 2148 Location India: 46A, 3rd floor, Sidcul IT Park, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand Email: contact@academically.com Phone: +91 8069662074 Phone: +61 416 424 328 / +61 406 525 564