Kuwait vs. Bahrain for Pharmacists: Which Path is Best for You?

Kuwait MOH Exam for Pharmacists: What You Need to Know

Kuwait offers a well-structured pathway to becoming a licensed pharmacist, but the process does come with multiple steps.

Eligibility Requirements

To even apply for the Kuwait MOH Exam, you need:

• A B.Pharm or M.Pharm degree.
• At least two years of experience as a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant after your degree.
• Registration as a licensed pharmacist in your home country.

How the Process Works in Kuwait

Let’s break down the steps to get licensed in Kuwait:

1. Attest Your Educational Documents
   Before you can apply for a job in Kuwait, you’ll need to get your educational documents officially attested by the Government of India. This step ensures that your credentials are legitimate.
2. Secure a Job
   Once your documents are in order, the next step is to land a job as a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant. You’ll also need an employment letter from your employer confirming their intent to hire you.
3. Submit Documents to the Drug Inspection Authority
   You’ll need to submit your attested documents and employment letter to the drug inspection authority in the Sabah region. You can do this either in person or through your employer.
4. Apply for Data and Equivalency Verification
   Now comes the paperwork! You’ll go through two key verification processes:
   • ISVSC Data Check: This step costs around 100 KD and takes about a month to complete.
   • Kuwait Ministry Equivalency: This step ensures your degree is recognized by Kuwait. It could take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on how quickly your university responds.
5. Complete Training and Testing
   While waiting for your equivalency verification, you’ll undergo a week of training at a government hospital, followed by a test.
6. Take the Pharmacy Exam
   Once all the paperwork is sorted, you’ll be scheduled for the Kuwait MOH pharmacy exam. After passing the written exam, you’ll move on to an oral exam.
7. Get Your Pharmacist ID Card
   After clearing both exams, you’ll need to visit the Kuwait Pharmacy Association (KUPHA) to get your pharmacist ID card. A small fee of about 25 KD applies here.
8. Process Your Electronic Pharmacy Licence
   The final step is obtaining your electronic pharmacy licence, which is valid for two years.

Bahrain BPLE Exam for Pharmacists: The Process Made Simple

Compared to Kuwait, Bahrain offers a more streamlined process for becoming a licensed pharmacist, but the experience requirements are a bit higher.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the BPLE (Bahrain Pharmacy Licensing Exam), you need:

• A B.Pharm degree with at least 5 years of professional experience OR
• A PharmD degree (6 years including internship) with 2 years of experience.
• Active pharmacist registration in your home country.

How the Process Works in Bahrain

Here’s a simplified breakdown of what you’ll need to do:

1. Submit Your Application Through MEHAN
   Start by applying through the MEHAN portal and pay the application fee.
2. Primary Source Verification (PSV)
   Bahrain requires a thorough verification of your documents from their original sources. This includes:
   • Your educational qualifications.
   • Professional experience.
   • Your licence from your home country.
   • A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS).
3. Take the BPLE Exam
   After your documents are verified, you’ll sit for the BPLE exam, which is designed to assess your pharmacy knowledge and skills.
4. Get Professionally Registered
   Once you pass the exam, you can apply for professional registration with the NHRA (National Health Regulatory Authority) and officially practise as a pharmacist in Bahrain.

Kuwait vs. Bahrain: Which Is the Better Option?

Now that you’ve seen the process for both Kuwait and Bahrain, let’s weigh your options:

• Kuwait: If you’re looking for a country with a more intensive onboarding process, Kuwait could be the right choice. The process may be longer, but it offers robust training and a good balance between written and oral exams.
• Bahrain: If you’re an experienced pharmacist and prefer a more streamlined approach, Bahrain’s simpler process might appeal to you. Plus, it only requires one exam after document verification.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Kuwait and Bahrain depends on your personal and professional goals. Kuwait offers a slightly longer process but with more in-depth training. Bahrain, on the other hand, provides a quicker path for those with more experience.

Start your overseas journey to the middle east today— Book your FREE consultation today and let our experts guide you step by step!