Elite Expertise for pharmacists

Arief Mohammad, Director and Clinical Pharmacist, Elite Expertise a Melbourne-based consultant pharmacist and co-founder of Elite Expertise— Headquartered in Melbourne, Elite Expertise Pty. Ltd., a premier online education and coaching platform with an extraordinary 95% pass rate for some of the toughest pharmacy licensing exams in the world from KAPS in Australia to PEBC in Canada, OPRA, and beyond.

In a time when healthcare professionals are in high demand globally, Arief’s work touches migration, education, technology, and public health all at once—a rare intersection your audience would find inspiring.

How was Elite Expertise conceptualized?

Elite Expertise began as a story of struggle and determination. Its founder, Arief Mohammad, an experienced Australian clinical pharmacist, once faced the same challenges that many international pharmacy graduates go through today.

After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmacy in India, Arief decided to migrate to Australia as there were no better paying jobs available. But what seemed like a simple goal turned into years of confusion, countless hours of research, document evaluations, and self-study for licensing exams. With no proper guidance, he spent nearly eight months preparing for the Australian pharmacy exam on his own and finally cleared it in 2018.

During his internship, Arief met several pharmacists from India, Pakistan, and other countries who were struggling to find their footing abroad. Many were stuck in low-paying jobs like pharmacy assistants, or working unrelated roles as Uber drivers or petrol station attendants, simply because they lacked access to the right resources.

Arief started helping them informally, sharing his notes and coaching them personally, often from his home, over WhatsApp and Zoom calls. As word spread and more students succeeded, the small effort turned into a movement. In July 2023, this passion took shape as Elite Expertise, an online EdTech platform dedicated to helping international pharmacists prepare for licensing exams in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland.

The idea was simple but powerful, make quality guidance accessible to every aspiring harmacist, no matter where they come from, and build a supportive global community that uplifts each other.

How has it evolved in terms of organization and revenue streams?

From one person’s mission, Elite Expertise has now grown into a thriving organization with over 40 team members, including trainers, pharmacists, and administrative staff. Based in Melbourne, the company is planning to expand with a new office in Hyderabad, India, next year.

In 2023, Elite launched its own mobile app, which now has over 5,000 downloads. The app offers everything in one place, live and recorded classes, mock tests, assignments, and unlimited access until students pass their exams.

The company earns primarily through country-specific licensing exams training programs, including: AUD 1,700 – Australia’s OPRA/KAPS exam; AUD 1,500 – Intern exam preparation;  AUD 830 – Canada’s PEBC exam; and AUD 1,500 – Ireland’s PSI equivalence.

Unlike many competitors, Elite Expertise keeps its pricing fair and consistent, which has helped it attract students from across the world. Other income sources include paid workshops, mock test add-ons, and mentorship programs.

With a 95% pass rate in KAPS/OPRA exams and over 4,000 students trained, Elite Expertise has evolved from a small tutoring initiative into a full-fledged global learning community. Out of all the students trained, 60% are from Indian pharmacists.

Financially, the company has demonstrated remarkable performance, achieving consistent year-on-year growth of 100–150%. This impressive trajectory underscores the strength of its online model, high student retention, and expanding global footprint.

What are the Indian equivalents of the courses eg. Doctor, B pharm and D pharm?

Elite Expertise trains pharmacists for international licensure exams such as Australia’s OPRA/KAPS, Canada’s PEBC, and Ireland’s PSI equivalence process. Eligibility for these exams depends on your pharmacy qualifications and how they align with international standards.

1. B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy): A B.Pharm degree from a PCI-recognized institution is the minimum qualification for most overseas exams. Graduates can apply for Australia’s OPRA/KAPS, Canada’s PEBC, or Ireland’s PSI, provided their coursework covers key areas like pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and clinical pharmacy. All councils, APC (Australia), PEBC (Canada), and PSI (Ireland), require document and credential evaluation to confirm degree equivalence before candidates can sit for the exams.
2. M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy): An M.Pharm strengthens eligibility and preparation, offering deeper knowledge in clinical and research areas that align well with international exams. M.Pharm holders often find document evaluation smoother, as their postgraduate training meets advanced competency expectations for OPRA intern exams, PEBC’s OSCEs, and PSI’s equivalence assessments.
3. Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy): A Pharm.D degree is highly valued internationally for its focus on clinical and patient care skills. Pharm.D graduates are eligible for all three exams and are particularly well-prepared for practical components like Australia’s intern exams or the OSCE in Canada and Ireland, which mirror Pharm.D’s hands-on approach.

Additional requirements:

Beyond academics, candidates must complete official document evaluations, submit transcripts, and often show proof of internship or work experience.

English proficiency tests (IELTS or OET) are mandatory in countries like Australia and Ireland.

Elite Expertise helps students navigate these steps, guiding them through documentation, language requirements, and structured exam prep, so that B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and Pharm.D graduates can confidently qualify for global pharmacy careers.

Are these exams recognized in India and for what jobs?

Officially, these exams, OPRA, PEBC, or PSI, are not recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). But they still hold strong professional value.

Indian pharmacists who clear these international exams often stand out in the job market. They’re preferred for roles in multinational pharma companies, clinical research, regulatory affairs, or teaching, thanks to their exposure to Western healthcare systems.

While the licenses themselves are meant for overseas practice, the knowledge, skills, and credibility gained through such training are highly valued in India’s fast-growing pharmaceutical sector.

What is the nature of your target audience?

Elite Expertise caters to ambitious international pharmacists, mostly aged 25–35, who dream of building a better life abroad. Around 60% of the students are from India, followed by Pakistan, Nepal, the UAE, and parts of Africa and Latin America.

Many of them are already working professionals earning INR 10,000–20,000 a month, while pharmacists in Australia or Canada earn the equivalent of INR 4 lakhs monthly, a life-changing difference.

These students often face issues like exam fear, lack of reliable guidance, or visa hurdles. Elite Expertise’s flexible online model helps them prepare at their own pace, no matter their schedule or time zone.

How big do you reckon is the industry?

Globally, the test preparation market is worth about USD 126 billion (2025), expected to reach USD 178 billion by 2030. Pharmacy exam prep is a smaller but growing niche, around USD 1.5–2.5 billion, driven by the rising number of healthcare workers migrating abroad.

India, with its large pool of pharmacists and high migration rates, is one of the fastest-growing markets for overseas pharmacy education and licensure coaching.

How has the company grown financially since its formation?

In 2023, Elite Expertise started small, bootstrapped and personal. Within just a year, it had trained around 1,000 students. Now, having trained over 4,000 students, the company has demonstrated remarkable financial performance, achieving consistent year-on-year growth of 100–150%. This impressive trajectory underscores the strength of its online model, high student retention, and expanding global footprint.

What is the way forward for your company?

The future looks promising. The company aims to: Expand courses to Germany and Scandinavian countries

Introduce AI-driven personalised learning through its app: Launch hybrid sessions at the new Hyderabad centre: Partner with employers for direct job placements: Offer scholarships to make global education more accessible; and Develop VR-based simulations for real-world pharmacy practice.

By 2030, Elite Expertise hopes to train 10,000 students worldwide, creating a network of globally qualified pharmacists.

What will be the impact on your company's fortunes on account of the restrictions on students?

Recent visa restrictions in Australia, Canada, and Ireland, like higher fees, proof of funds, and tighter enrolment caps, may temporarily slow student migration. But Elite Expertise’s online-first model makes it adaptable.

Instead of relying on visas, the company focuses on training and exam preparation, which remains in demand regardless of policy changes. In fact, as rules become stricter, more students are likely to seek professional guidance, which could increase enrollments by 20–30%.

In the long run, these challenges may even strengthen Elite Expertise position as a trusted resource for global pharmacy aspirants.

Do you plan to offer your services internationally?

Elite Expertise is already global, with students from over 20 countries. The next step is to localise content for the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, while also introducing courses for the UK and US pharmacy licensing systems.

The upcoming Hyderabad office will act as the Asian hub, helping connect students to international opportunities while keeping training accessible and affordable.