In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti dives into the decade-long decline in NAPLEX pass rates and what it reveals about the state of pharmacy education and exam readiness. He unpacks the data trends, explores root causes — from the rapid growth of pharmacy programs to changes in applicant pools and testing standards — and explains what today’s students can do to turn things around.

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This session gives you the “why” behind the decline and, more importantly, the “how” to overcome it. Learn how to develop a modern, strategic study approach that focuses on application over memorization, leverages testable standards of care, and helps you rise above national averages.

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Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

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Table of Contents:

00:00 – Welcome and overview

00:35 – The concerning decline in NAPLEX pass rates

02:10 – Trends in pharmacy programs and enrollment

04:15 – The 2015–2016 turning point06:00 – Impact of COVID-19 and exam changes

07:50 – Changing student profiles and preparation gaps

09:20 – Why memorization isn’t enough anymore

10:30 – The growing volume of knowledge to master

11:40 – Strategic study tips and mindset shifts

12:50 – Final thoughts: how to prepare smarter, not harder