Bodies That Recognize the American Board of Medical and Health Specialties Certification for Pharmacists Without Equivalency
The American Board of Medical and Health Specialties is an American body licensed by the U.S. government; its official website is https://american-board.us/american-board-of-nutrition/
abbreviated as ABMHS. Its certificates are accepted for authentication by many governmental and international bodies and universities, and it is distinguished by its local offices. But what is the significance of having American Board certification in pharmacy specialties made equivalent to a master’s degree?
Ever since the decision to make the American Board equivalent to a master’s degree was issued through the Supreme Council of Universities, this question has often been raised: “What is its significance?”… and the prevailing answer was: “Nothing!”
The Egyptian Ministry of Health, through the Central Administration of Pharmacy, recognizes the board as a specialty certification without equivalency…
So does the General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes…
Private-sector and charitable hospitals recognize the board without equivalency…
Government and private bodies outside Egypt that give board holders preference in hiring, and sometimes an allowance, do not require equivalency…
Note: Only a limited number of people, in very exceptional cases, have benefited from the equivalency “academically”, by registering directly for a doctorate to continue their postgraduate studies.
Therefore… having the equivalency is essentially no different from not having it.
In fact, the equivalency decision itself was stillborn!
When the decision was issued, it was restricted by a compound condition: equivalency without a thesis for those who obtained the board in 2014 or earlier, and with a thesis for those who obtained it after 2014! And most pharmacists holding the board obtained it after that date…!
We then overcame the thesis obstacle by filing a case before the State Council for equal treatment with those who obtained the board in 2014 and earlier, rulings were issued to that effect, and colleagues did in fact obtain the equivalency…
Then in January 2022 a decision was issued halting new equivalencies, but even this decision does not prevent continuing to obtain equivalency by filing a case before the State Council on the same legal basis, namely equal treatment with those who previously obtained it… That was the answer, and equivalency can be arranged in Egypt and Arab countries through the office of Counselor Prof. Dr. Mostafa Mahmoud Kandil and the American Board representative office.
In summary, equivalency is still available for the American Board by filing a case before the State Council, provided you are a pharmacist.
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