UPR pharmacy students from ’25 class ace licensing exam

By THE STAR STAFF

The School of Pharmacy at the University of Puerto Rico’s (UPR) Medical Sciences Campus has achieved a 100% first‑attempt pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) for the Class of 2025, according to newly released data from the National Association of Pharmacy Boards.

All 40 graduating students passed the exam on their first try, placing the school in a tie for first place nationally among 142 programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The University of Michigan, Husson University and Lebanese American University were the only other institutions to report perfect pass rates.

The achievement places the School of Pharmacy 14.3 percentage points above this year’s national average of 85.7%. The program has maintained a first‑time pass rate above 90% for the past decade.

“At the School of Pharmacy, we are extremely proud of our graduates’ achievements,” Dean Wanda T. Maldonado Dávila said in a statement. “This reflects the capabilities of our students, the academic rigor of our Doctor of Pharmacy program, the quality of our faculty, and the dedication of our support staff.”

Maldonado Dávila said the results underscore the school’s continued commitment to preparing pharmacists who can meet the island’s public health needs.

Medical Sciences Campus Chancellor Myrna L. Quiñones Feliciano also praised the graduating class and faculty for the milestone.

“Achieving a 100% pass rate is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects the academic excellence and commitment of our students and the tireless dedication of our faculty,” she said. “This result reaffirms our mission to train high‑caliber healthcare professionals committed to the well‑being of our country.”

UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde said the ranking highlights the system’s broader educational mission.

“This pass rate reaffirms the academic excellence of the University of Puerto Rico and the effectiveness of a rigorous curriculum aligned with the competencies demanded by contemporary pharmaceutical practice,” she said.

NAPLEX certification is required to obtain a pharmacist license in the United States and serves as a key indicator in pharmacy program accreditation. Last year, the UPR School of Pharmacy received full reaccreditation for the maximum eight‑year term from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.