Medical and pharmaceutical education will be reformed by introducing curricula focused on student and resident studies. A recently approved government program to this effect will be implemented in two stages: 2011-2015 and 2016-2020, with a mid-term assessment, Info-Prim Neo reports. The program envisages a continuous improvement of admission standards to specialized educational institutions and higher requirements for training and skill assessment, the implementation of modern education forms with the use of cost-efficient techniques, the promotion of scientific research and the adoption of European specialization standards, etc. According to Health Ministry officials, while various interactive education methods, simulation programs and case studies are employed at the medical universities and colleges in the country, the existing curricula do not fully meet the European standards. In 2010, 5,500 students attend the the Medical University Nicolae Testemitanu and 4,500 other students attend medical colleges.