D pharmdindia

3
4
5
13
27
34
39
43
45
48
68
73
82
86
90
114
Table of Contents
About the book
Copyright
Preface
Forums
About the author
career options for those with a degree in Pharmacy
Changing Trends in Global Pharmacy Workforce
why one should consider Pharm D programme?
Pharm D the No. 1 employer in Medical Research ...
THE STRUGGLE
Pharma Clinic- Now PHARMACISTS can also Practice ...
PHARMACOVIGILANCE
The State of Affairs of Medical Profession - Pathetic
list of ADR monitoring centers under Pharmacovigilance ...
articles
MoleculesNovel Molecules
2

About the book
This book is made to provide information about recently started Pharm D and
Pharm D(Post Bacclaurreatte) courses in india to all.
3

Copyright
Author
[Dr SAMRAT PAUL]
Editor
[Dr SAMRAT PAUL]
Copyright © 2013 [Dr SAMRAT PAUL]
First Published using Papyrus,2013
ISBN : [Enter ISBN here]
This book may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use.
Online edition is also available for this title. For more information, contact our
corporate/institutional sales department: [Insert your phone number here] or
[Insert your email here]
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the
publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for
damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
4

Preface
I Samrat Paul , welcome all readers, viewers, researchers and aspirants to this site
for upgrading knowledge and aptitude in clinically oriented Pharmacy. This blog
is a forum for anyone interested in the intersection of health, communication and
social world.
The setup is changing in the world. Changes are occuring everywhere, in every
field, in every aspect. This is a transition period for everybody, even for Pharmacy
Councils of each and every country...Uptill very recently in the past Pharmacy
was industry oriented in india , only with the advent of Pharm d and Pharm
d(PB) it has become clinically oriented.
One must understand why and how the syllabus of this course got structured up?
The PharmD syllabus is nothing but a combination of syllabus of courses like
B.Pharm (industry oriented pharmacy)) and MD Pharmacology (clinically
oriented pharmacy).Many hypotheses which comes to my mind are :
1. If we look into the broader picture, in western allopathy system of healthcare,
the ward rounds are done in team by the clinicians ie. healthcare professionals and
particularly doctors like physicians, pharmacists and nurses.
5

Now, physicians like MBBS and specialists like MDs and DMs of departments
chest, ortho, gyneac, surgery,paediatric,psychologist,pharmacologist were actively
participating in the ward rounds and their perspectives were gained. However
perspectives from MD pharmacologist point of view were missed considerably by
the healthcare team, because MD Pharmacologist were more involved in clinical
research rather than in ward rounds. And though they do practice but not in such
proportions as done by MDs of other departments. This created a demand and
requirement for vigilance by Pharm D professionals to fill up the gap created due
to non- availability of MD Pharmacologist for ward round participations. Also
MD Pharmacologists are reluctant to do jobs of a bedside pharmacist like strip-
cutting, because of their busy schedule and perhaps they consider it as menial job.
However, in India, there is still monopoly enjoyed by the physician in clinical
setups in most nursing homes and small capacity hospitals regardless of under
which sector these fall,private or government (may it be community hospitals,
public healthcare hospitals, charitable hospitals,military hospitals, mission
hospitals,primary care hospitals,secondary care hospitals,tertiary teaching care
hospitals, tertiary referral hospitals,rehabilitation hospitals,for profit hospitals, non
profit hospitals,state hospitals, regional hospitals) and alone they do the ward
rounds, and rightly so because here economic budget for healthcare and health
literacy is very less, constrained or restrained.Therefore a physician who spends a
considerable more amount of money on his medical education is rightly empowered
with more authority in a clinical setup.
2. Moreover, other education system like M.Pharm in Pharmacy Practice which
was started with intention to bring a new setup of clinical pharmacovigilant
biopharmaceutical analytical system (Pharm D), due to increase in incidents of
deaths due to medical errors and medication errors and due to faulty drug-dose
titrations, ADRs and drug -drug interactions and further due to non-vigilance
which should be considered as clinical error. But they being new in the clinical
setup, confused about their role to play in this new setup and lacked the required
6

proficiency and authority to write independent prescriptions to patients, lacked
confidence. Not having the power of writing independent prescriptions (M.Pharm
PP and PharmD)is correct also in my opinion due to reasons like for a given
patient there can be apart from surgical therapy,radiation therapy, physical
therapy, psychotherapy; a pharmacotherapeutic approach and also a non-
pharmacotherapeutic approach, therefore a physician should always remain the
captain of the ship. Howsoever, to instill confidence in such professionals,a
provision had been made so as doctorate degree was conferred to clinical
pharmacists of pharmacy practice stream in form of PharmD and PharmD(PB){
6 years course} as much like MBBS{ 5 year course}, which gave them identity
and recognition and respect and competitiveness enough to do atleast ward rounds
in presence of other healthcare professionals and be vigilant in the clinical setups of
corporate hospitals. Still there are loopholes present in this education system in
India such as PCI has termed it as integerated PG course and its not clear or
public are not made aware of whether its a professional doctorate( obvious) or
academic doctorate or honorary doctorate, also when we come to interns of
PharmD there is still no terminologies exist as CRHPs(compulsory rotatory house
pharmacists) as compared to CRHSs(compulsory rotatory house surgeons) which
is used for MBBS interns.
3. Another point of view is that each and every country has a quo status quo.
They are different for each and every country in terms of various factors like
culture,traditions and customs followed, liberality provided, economic status,
budget affordability, applicable rules and regulations,even HDI(human
developement index) and GDPs (gross domestic product) sanctioned by
Government. In western developed countries, along with other healthcare sectors/
paramedical course/paraclinical courses, Pharmacy is becoming more IT oriented
as well as statistically oriented in its functions and approach towards the society
ie. for incorporating more transparency about drug use in society. To homogenise
this kind of work system and setup in allover world, a more advanced and
upgraded course was brought out for students to pursue.
4. With the improvement in economic status of countries, Government is investing
more finance on the budget of Healthcare system for its people.
7

5. Individualisation of pharmacotherapeutic treatment to individuals.
6. Bringing up a new setup of clinical pharmacovigilant biopharmaceutical
analytical system.
8

7.Bringing up Homogenization of allopathy system, implementation and
transparency and upgrading quality and standards of pharmacare, pharma
products, drug information, pharmaceutical calculations etc.
10

SOME INTERETING FACTS:
Doctor of Pharmacy Education in India-Its Genesis and Prospects: A Critical
Study based on the Global Vs. Indian Scenario
The post1920 period, particularly the 1940 to 1970s, witnessed many scientific
developments and achievements in the area of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy in
USA and such developments helped for starting Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
in American Universities in the 1950s as an innovative program in pharmacy.
Pharm.D.is a professional doctor degree in Pharmacy and has become a global
program by 2000 AD. The Pharm.Dstudents are provided with the opportunity
to gain experience in patient care at hospital and community levels, in close
association with other health care professionals.Universities conducting Pharm.D
have to continuously enhance the curriculum with new course offerings that reflect
the pharmacist’s importance as a frontline health care provider.
The first effort to introduce Pharm.D in India was initiated in Government
Medical College ; Trivandrum in 1999 when the syllabus and regulations framed
with the help of some American Universities got approved by the Board of Studies
and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kerala. It was designed as a post
graduate program,but could not be started for some reasons.
Later in 2008, the Pharmacy council of India (PCI) managed to introduce both
six year regular PharmD and the three year post baccalaureate Pharm.D in the
country through a Gazette notification of Government of India dated 16th May
2008. The norms and regulations for Pharm.D program were also prescribed and
notified.
By 2013 November, the PCI had given approval to over 140 institutions mainly
in South Indian States. Only four Government institutions have so far started
11

Pharm.D in India.
The Indian Pharm.D needs the care and active involvements of pharmacy practice
professionals in its growing stages.
12

Forums
Is Pharm D or PharmD(PB) is a professional doctorate degree or an academic
doctorate degree?
why is it so that Pharm D course has been initially started in South Indian states
only?
why GPAT or any other entrance exam is not undertaking Pharm D course?
whether Pharm D is approved by UGC?
Doctor of Pharmacy Education in India-Its Genesis and Prospects: A Critical
Study based on the Global Vs. Indian Scenario
The post1920 period, particularly the 1940 to 1970s, witnessed many scientific
USA and such developments helped for starting Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
in American Universities in the 1950s as an innovative program in pharmacy.
Pharm.D.is a professional doctor degree in Pharmacy and has become a global
program by 2000 AD. The Pharm.D students are provided with the opportunity
to gain experience in patient care at hospital and community levels, in close
association with other health care professionals.Universities conducting Pharm.D
have to continuously enhance the curriculum with new course offerings that reflect
the pharmacist’s importance as a frontline health care provider.
The first effort to introduce Pharm.D in India was initiated in Government
Medical College ; Trivandrum in 1999 when the syllabus and regulations framed
with the help of some American Universities got approved by the Board of Studies
and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kerala. It was designed as a post
graduate program,but could not be started for some reasons.
Later in 2008, the Pharmacy council of India (PCI) managed to introduce both
six year regular PharmD and the three year post baccalaureate Pharm.D in the
country through a Gazette notification of Government of India dated 16th May
2008. The norms and regulations for Pharm.D program were also prescribed and
notified.
By 2013 November, the PCI had given approval to over 140 institutions mainly
in South Indian States. Only four Government institutions have so far started
13

Pharm.D in India.
The Indian Pharm.D needs the care and active involvements of pharmacy practice
professionals in its growing stages.
Doctor of Pharmacy in India, Genesis of Indian Pharm.D
Pharm D course
Pharmacy as a profession and as a health care discipline has gone through
phenomenal changes and development during the last few decades, at global as
well as regional levels.
In the past, Pharmacists were known by names like alchemists, apothecaries and
compounders.
Modern pharmacists are professionally qualified,scientifically trained and
technically competent health care professionals knowing the secrets and facts of
drugs and medicines. Contemporary pharmacy education is highly scientific and
generally students spend 4 to 10 years at University levels to acquire and mould
their competency and skills.
Pharmacy Practice has a vital role in drug therapy, health care and other related
areas.The areas and activities of community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and
clinical pharmacy constitute the various functions of pharmacy practice. The role
of modern pharmacist has evolved dramatically from the product (medicine)
orientation to patient care outcomes.
Independent pharmacies were first established in 12th century in Italy and then in
neighboring countries like France and Germany. However pharmacy education at
College/ University level started only in 1777 in Paris in France. Later in 1803
six schools of pharmacy were started in France.
Private pharmacy educational institutions arose in Bavaria, the south east state
It was in 1821 the first American Pharmacy College-Philadelphia College of
Pharmacy-
admitted the first batch of pharmacy students which was followed by
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy (1823) and New York College of Pharmacy
(1829).
Since then the focus of pharmacy education and pharmacy practice got oriented
towards USA
Innovations in Pharmacy Practice
14

The post 1920 period, particularly the 1940 to 1970s, witnessed many scientific
USA.
In 1953 Heber .W. Youngken Jr of University of Washington wrote an article
entitled
"The Washington Experiment- Clinical Pharmacy" in the American Journal of
Pharmaceutical Education.Through that article H.W. Youngken brought to the
notice of the world pharmacists how Prof. L.Wait Rising of Washington had in
1945-46 initiated a research program in teaching pharmacy students utilizing
some of the numerous professional prescriptions in Seattle. It has brought forth a
storm of protest from American Association of College of Pharmacy (AACP) and
the American Council in Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) in the 1950s.
The term 'Clinical Pharmacy' was not seriously used in any book even in the
early 1960's. In 1961 Dr. John Autian at University of Wisconsin used the term
'Clinical Pharmacy' as a proposal to replace 'Compounding and dispensing' and
in the same year Dr.Glenn Sperandio coined the term Clinical Pharmacy in
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy in his "Hospital Pharmacy Notes".
Dr. Sperandio explained that direct contact with person or persons is the essential
of "Clinical" in any specialty. In 1969, Clinical Pharmacy was linked with
"patient orientation". Today Clinical Pharmacy denotes the practice of pharmacy
near the bed side of the patient and is practiced by both hospital pharmacists and
community pharmacists.
The first scientific residency program in pharmacy in USA was developed by
Harvey A.K. Whitney at University of Michigan hospital in 1927.
Due to the innovative thinking of people like Paul F Parker, many clinical
pharmacy activities were introduced in pharmacy in the 1960s.
Inspired from the success of Whitney’s experiment on Drug Information Center in
Michigan University, Paul F Parker opened the first Drug Information Center at
a Pharmacy School in 1962. Other Universities like the University of Kentucky
had also
taken leading roles in developing Clinical Pharmacy programs in the world.
The first unit dose distribution program in a hospital set up in USA was initiated
at the University of Kentucky in 1965. In 1968 the pharmacy residency program
was started at
15

University of Kentucky which helps to award both Pharm.D degree and residency
certificates to the students.
The introduction of Post graduate programs in hospital pharmacy, clinical
pharmacy and starting of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programs contributed
positively for the development and popularisation of pharmacy practice in USA
and other countries.
What is Doctor of Pharmacy or Pharm.D The Doctor of Pharmacy degree,
abbreviated as Pharm.D.or Pharm.D,is a professional doctor degree in Pharmacy
.It is very much similar to professional degrees like Doctor of Medicine (MD) or
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in USA or equal qualifications in other
countries.
Today Pharm.D became a global program available in all most all countries in
the world. The duration of the program varies from five years ( eg. USA,
Pakistan) to eight or nine years (eg. Ghana,France) of academic education at the
University/ College levels.
In some countries like Hungry,Netherland, Portugal etc. It is a post graduate
program
while in yet other countries Pharm.D is considered as superior to masters
qualification and post graduates are admitted to the program. During the last few
years ,Pharm. D
became popular even in the Middle East countries.
Through the Pharm.D programs the pharmacists are trained to become active and
integral members of the patient care team. Increasing emphasis on improving
quality of medication use and enhancing medication safety have dramatically
increased the demand for clinical pharmacy and the Pharm.D program in all
parts of the world.
The ward rounds, clinical postings, clerkship and the residency are the core
components of the Pharm.D program. It is through these the students get
accustomed to real hospital practice situation and oriented to the evidence based
therapy concepts.
The clinical rotations provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge
acquired in the classroom to the practice of pharmacy in different patient care
settings.The Universities and pharmacy schools through the Pharm.D program
prepare pharmacists who can assume expanded responsibilities in the care of
16

patients and assure the provision of rational and effective drug therapy both in
public and private set ups. ThePharm.D students are provided with the
opportunity to gain experience in patient care in close relationships with health
practitioners like physicians, nurses, biochemists,nutritionists and other health
care professionals.The Universities conducting the program have to continuously
enhance the curriculum with new courseofferings that reflect the pharmacist's
importance as a frontline health care provider.
Problem- based learning and active exposure to clinical opportunities will help the
students attain necessary skills and personalize the education to reflect their
individual interests and professional goals.
The Pharm.D program combines rigorous basic science education with extensive
and varied clinical and pharmacy practice experiences. It helps the graduates to
contribute positively for revolutionizing the future of health care through new
discoveries and innovations to improve patient lives.
The Universities conducting the program have to continuously enhance the
curriculum
with new course offerings that reflect the pharmacist's importance as a frontline
health care provider.
The Pharm.D is not equal to doctor of philosophy (PhD) and is intended for
people who want to practice as pharmacists. The Pharm.D people are in a better
position to pursue
for the PhD in matters related to health care and drug therapy aspects compared
to
Many Colleges and Universities in US and other countries offer a dual Pharm.D
/PhD degree program for students with strong interest in research who also want
to practice as pharmacists. The Pharm.D curriculum is designed to produce
pharmacists who have the abilities and skills necessary to achieve outcomes related
to pharmaceutical care to patients, and ensure safe and effective drug therapy with
the support of professional pharmaceutical knowledge and information.
First Pharm . D Course and its impact in Pharmacy education
The Pharm.D program as it is understood and popularized today, originated as an
innovation program of University of Southern California (USC) in 1950 as a six
year program. The USC is a private research University in USA established in
1880 with its main campus in Los Angeles, California. USC started its first
Pharmacy School - USC School of Pharmacy - in Southern California in 1905.
17

The takeoff of the Pharm.D in USA was not smooth and resistance free.
It has to face some unfriendly reactions and resistances from certain corners within
the country. In 1955, the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) also
started Pharm. D and by 1960 many other Universities in USA started
Pharm.D. It took about two decades for getting Pharm. D popularized in USA
and other parts of the world. Those who opposed the program in the beginning
later started welcoming it and by 1970s students from other countries joined the
program in large number. In 1973 UCSF started Department of Clinical
Pharmacy as an independent unit which was responsible for the development of
the first clinical pharmacy curriculum in the world. Today the clinical pharmacy
residency program of UCSF is the largest in USA
The US authorities adopted Pharm.D as a national professional degree program
by 1980s. In 1992, the American Association of College of Pharmacy (AACP)
and other pharmacy professional organizations took a joint decision to make
Pharm D as the minimum requirement for practice of Pharmacy in USA. The
Accreditation Council for Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), the national
organization that accredits pharmacy degree courses, also endorsed the decision.
For the next few years they were jointly doing the homework for implementation
of the decision.
All the existing pharmacists with B.Pharm / B.S and M.Pharm qualifications
were provided sufficient opportunities to take Pharm.D through various modules
in the 1990s. The Universities framed their own modules for part- time and
distance/ e-learning process of Pharm.D for existing licensed pharmacists.
Till 1998 both B.S (Pharmacy) and Pharm.D programs of 5 year duration were
conducted in America. In 1998 orders were issued to all American Universities to
replace their B.S (Pharmacy) and B.Pharm with Pharm.D focusing on clinical
and community pharmacy practice. Since the graduating class of 2006, the BS
Pharm / B.Pharm degree has been completely replaced by Pharm.D degree in
USA ( Carrie 2008). All these developments have positively influenced the
pharmacy educational institutions and authorities in other countries in the world
to take proper precautions in their education system. Today Pharm.D or its
equivalent degree is required to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure
Examination (NAPLEX), one component of the licensure process required to
practice as a pharmacist in U.S. states
Professional status of Pharmacy after Pharm. D
18

The ‘Gallup poll’ in USA is well known among professionals all over the world. It
was initiated by George Gallup in 1978 with the objective of evaluating various
professions which are supposed to serve humanity in the country. The main
question asked to the participants of the Gallup poll is "How would you rate the
honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields?” The Americans
rate the honesty and ethical standards of 28 or more professions/ occupations
surveyed by the Gallup poll. The pharmacists are ranked in No 1 or No 2 positions
among all professionals in USA for the last thirty or more years
A similar type of rating known as ‘Morgan poll’ is conducted in Australia since
1994. The Australians too rate their professions based on ethics and honesty. The
nursing profession and pharmacy were closely ranked as No 1 and 2 up to 2002.
Since then there is always a tight fight between Pharmacy and Nursing for the
first position. In Canada in 2012 Pharmacists were ranked at No 1 position
among all professionals
This is not the case with USA or Australia or Canada alone. Throughout the
world where well regulated pharmacy education and practice systems are in
existence, pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences has emerged as a high profile,
sought after profession. It is mainly because of the services, innovations and
achievements in the areas of hospital, community and clinical pharmacies.
Pharmacy education in India
The pharmacy education in India is not very old. It was started at the University
level
only in 1932 in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) by a thirty year old youth,
Mahadeva Lal Schroff popularly known as M.L. Schroff. Originally it was a B
.Sc. programme and got converted into a B.Pharm course in 1937. Schroff
could start pharmacy education in India just because of the encouragement and
support he got from Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, a national figure who was
the
The growth of pharmacy education in India was in ‘bonsai style' till 1980s.
At the time of independence there were only five pharmacy colleges in the country
which increased to 16 by 1967. However during the period 2000 - 2008
hundreds of new pharmacy degree colleges were started in India. The number of
degree colleges increased to around 900 by 2009 and by 2013 there are about
1500 pharmacy colleges imparting diploma, degree , M.Pharm, Pharm.D and
PhD programs. Only about 15 per cent of the Indian Pharmacy Colleges are
19

situated in the health care campus attached to the hospitals or medical institutions
and most of them are in the South Indian states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka. Right from 1950s, highly qualified graduate and post graduate
pharmacists started working in the hospital pharmacies attached to major
hospitals like Medical colleges in India. They were engaged in different teaching
positions in the department of pharmacology and were well respected and accepted
by the medical professionals in those institutions. In the 1970s, some
academicians like Dr.P.C.Dandiya, Professors Gode and Gambir (Department of
Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU), Prof. R.D. Kulkarni
(Department of Pharmacology, Grant Medical College, Bombay) and
Dr.B.D.Miglani (Delhi University) tried to bring the evolution of clinical
pharmacy in the West, into the Indian pharmacy profession. However, clinical
pharmacy could make an impact in Indian pharmacy only by 1990s. Dr. B.D.
Miglani, the father of Indian Hospital Pharmacy and a living giant of pharmacy
practice in the country was responsible for starting the first post graduate course
in
Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy in India in Delhi College of Pharmacy( now
known as DIPSAR) in 1984. In 1996 C MC Vellore started a post graduate
diploma course in Clinical Pharmacy and in the next year ( 1997) the J.S.S
Hospital & College of Pharmacy Mysore started a post graduate programme
(M.Pharm) in Pharmacy Practice giving special importance to Clinical
Pharmacy.
In the next 5 years period, many institutions in India, from various states and
Universities, (K.M.College of Pharmacy, Madurai; Periyar College of Pharmacy
Trichy;
SRIPMS, Coimbatore; JSS Ooty;Govt. Medical College. Trivandrum; Annamalai
University, Chidambaram, College of Pharmacy, Manipal; KLE’s College of
Pharmacy, Belgaum; Al Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, Hamdard
College of Pharmacy, Delhi, NIPER, Chandigarh etc.) Initiated similar post
graduate programmes in Pharmacy Practice. By 2013, there are over 100
institutions in India imparting such programs. The important pharmacy
education programs currently offered in India include
i)Diploma in pharmacy (D.Pharm, a 2 year program after 10+2)
ii)Bachelor of pharmacy (B.Pharm, a 4 year program after 10+2)
iii)Master of pharmacy ( M.Pharm, a 2 year program after B.Pharm)
20

iv)Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D, a 6 year program after 10+2)
v)Doctor of Pharmacy ( Pharm.D) P.B. 3 year program after B.Pharm
vi)Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D, generally 3 years work after M.Pharm).
India is perhaps the only country in the world which is having a diploma course
(D.Pharm) as the minimum qualification for registering as a professional
pharmacist with the statutory Council or agency for getting approval or license for
the practice of pharmacy. Other countries have made degree in pharmacy
(B.Pharm /M.Pharm/Pharm.D) as the minimum qualification for the practice of
pharmacy.
In countries like US, one must have a Pharm D degree and then pass the state
pharmacy licensure examination and complete pharmacy internship for a period
(500-2000 Hrs. depending upon the individual states) for getting registered as a
pharmacist.
The pharmaceutical industry in India has attained tremendous growth and
development during the last few decades. However the pharmacy practice is only
in the developing stage. With growing internationalization of the pharmaceutical
industry and the globalization of the pharmacy education program, the standards
of pharmacy education and pharmacy practice needs to be of world class
standards. Starting of Pharm. D in India The first effort to introduce Pharm.D in
India was initiated in Trivandrum Government Medical College in 1999 when the
syllabus and regulations framed by K.G.Revikumar , the head of Hospital and
Clinical Pharmacy, of the Medical College with the help of some American
Universities got approved by the Board of Studies and the Faculty of Medicine of
the University of Kerala. However the program could not be started as Revikumar
was transferred to Calicut Medical College subsequently.It was designed as a post
graduate program aimed at moulding a team of young pharmacy practice
professionals and teachers
Immediately after starting Pharm.D, Annamalai University tried to establish
some tie-up with certain American Universities. In February 2009 Dr. James
Scott from Western University, California visited Annamalai University to study
the situation and the facilities available at the University for running the
program. In that connection Dr. Scott visited and studied the facilities in some
other centres in south India like Amrita School of Pharmacy (Amrita University,
Kochi,Kerala), Alshifa College of Pharmacy (Kerala University of Health
21

Sciences), KLE College of Pharmacy ( KLE University, Belgaum) and Sri
Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai. The opportunity to popularise the
Pharm.D in India with the help of UGC and AICTE was not exploited and used
by PCI. Pharmacy professionals working in public Universities and Govt.
institutions are not taking steps to popularise Pharm.D in the country.
By 2013 November, the PCI had given approval to over 140 institutions
covering states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP and Punjab for starting Pharm.D in
India. Rajasthan, Punjab and UP have one each, Gujarat two and Maharashtra
three colleges. Out of them about 130 have already started the Pharm.D
program. However the fact that only four Government institutions - two in
Maharashtra, one each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, have started
Pharm.D course. It shows that involvement of government institutions in the
course is currently nominal and insignificant. In Maharashtra out of the three
PCI approved institutions, two are in government sector one at Aurangabad and
another at Amarabati. In Tamil Nadu out of 18 institutions one, Annamalai
University, is in Government sector. In Kerala the Pharm.D was not started in
Trivandrum Medical College even though they got the PCI approval in 2011.
Some Pharmacy teachers propagate the message that it is a program designed for
exporting Pharm.Ds to other countries and that it is designed for the rich and
affordable sections of society.
Table 1:Pharm.D Colleges in India approved by PCI (As on Oct 2013)
State Private Colleges Government Colleges
Uttar Pradesh 01 NIL
promote, popularise, encourage and support public sector institutions to start
Pharm.D. The involvement of government institutions is essential in popularising
and ensuring job opportunities for Pharm.D in India. After the 16th May 2008
Gazette notification of Pharm.D, PCI invited first applications for starting
Pharm.D in India in July 2008 giving just one month time for the institutions to
plan and apply for the course. Still they received about 50 applications from
pharmacy colleges in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.Inspections were conducted in
August 2008 and in September PCI approved about twenty pharmacy
institutions from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and
Kerala for starting Pharm.D course from the
Subsequently few more institutions were approved for starting the program.Some
22

of them were given the permission to start both Pharm.D and Pharm.D post
baccalaureate.
given to only such institutions which were conducting B.Pharm course for the
previous four years is not a wise
subjects (like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical
chemistry, pharmacognosy
In some colleges both B.Pharm and Pharm.D classes are clubbed together for
certain subjects.There are no specific guidelines for practical, assignments,
clerkship, internship and residencies.Hardly 15 per cent of Indian pharmacy
colleges are situated in health care campus or attached to a hospital. As per the
2008 Pharm.D Regulations of PCI
Pharm.D with 30 students intake. It can be either an own or a ‘rented’ hospital
with the support of an MOU. The hospital is needed for providing training,
clerkship and residencies for the students. The tie-up or memorandum of
undertaking
Many Pharm.D colleges use the MOU only for PCI inspection purpose and not for
academic activities.
Community Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies, Clinical Pharmacies, Clinical
Research including clinical trials,
The Indian community Pharmacies have to be made professional both in outlook
and practice.
community and hospital pharmacies. Registered pharmacists alone should be
given licence and permission to establish and run community pharmacies. The
current Pharm.D syllabus and Regulations give very little focus for employability
of the graduates coming out of the Universities and schools/colleges of Pharmacy.
Those who frame the syllabus and Regulations of a course should be responsible
like the parents of well brought up children. Why and for what purpose Pharm.D
was introduced in India have to be reflected in the syllabus and Regulation.
Students who join the course and spend six years at the universities should be able
to contribute positively for the development and
In countries where the Pharm.D program is well established and developed, they
have by this time established a system for providing clerkship (rotationship),
internship, residency and fellowship components of Pharm.D programs.
Unfortunately in India no existing facilities are available for such activities and
23

the Pharm.D teachers are not trained or oriented for such works.
director, mentor etc. may be new to Indian pharmacy teachers. Students should be
lead to where they should be. Both clerkship and residency components of Indian
Pharm.D
needs to be made more effective to ensure placements in India. Clerkship and
residency should help for the acquisition and development of required professional
skills.
and should be developed as an excellent opportunity to find career path for
Pharm.Ds. Many of the students may stick with what they know and believe.
However a few will be
prompted to step out of their comforts and traditional locations and dare to see a
different and challenging side of practice because of Preceptorship and mentoring.
Home infusion, geriatric care homes, prison pharmacy, pet animal pharmacy,
satellite pharmacies, part-time pharmacies,
in the minds of Pharm.Ds during their clerkships, internships and residencies.
Mentorship helps to support, inspire, motivate and guide students in both
professional and
personal growth and developments. Good mentorship is essential to polish the
thinking power of students and prompt them for challenging and innovative
professional activities.
The term Preceptorship is well known to the American
Pharmacists and medical doctors right from the beginning of 20th century,
though it was introduced in their nursing profession only in late 1970s. However
the concept of preceptors and Preceptorship are new to Indian pharmacy
education.
Preceptorship implies one-to-one teaching leaning relationship involving an
experienced preceptor and a novice
Preceptor helps the preceptee to connect the link between the theory taught in class
rooms and the practice set up in hospitals and communities. Clerkship for
obtaining clerical workmanship in pharmacy practice aspects and will be very
much useful during residencies. It is not equal to ward rounds or clinical postings.
Clerkship is usually done outside own hospital while internship is within the
hospital by performing in-house jobs. The clerkship co-ordinator or director will
take the students in small groups of 3-5 to other institutions including primary
24

health centres to speciality or superspeciality hospitals and pharmacies during
clerkship to acquire the skills for practice in various situations with the support of
departmental teachings and discussions.It is not a simple requirement for
obtaining a degree.The work hours are that of full time job but with week-end and
on-call works as decided by the clerkship director or administrator. Issues like why
the student cohort is divided into small groups for
clerkship/rotations or who can be appointed as a clerkship administrator/
coordinator or director and what are their duties etc. need to be defined to Indian
Pharm.D teachers and students. Problem solving and decision makes skills have
to be developed in the students with the support of
clerkship and residencies.The course duration has to be re-designated as 5+ 1 =
6years for Pharm.D regular program. Currently it is specified as 6 years. Since
the students through P1 to P5 years of study acquire the skills for handing
public health, physiological investigations, biochemistry tests, lab data
interpretation etc. required for the hospital and community practice situations they
can contribute seriously for the hospital health care programs during the general
residency in P6. They also have to practice hospital pharmacy and clinical
pharmacy in the hospitals.
Above all, the P6 Pharm.D have to act as preceptors and guides for all the junior
students. If properly utilised, they will be more effective in teaching and training
junior students
than their teachers.The students have to be paid proper stipend in P6 without
charging any tuition fee. For finding suitable jobs in Indian hospitals, the
Pharm.D have to be specialised in disciplines like Nephrology and Urology,
Psychiatry, Neurology, Oncology, Dermatology, Paediatrics,
Endocrinology/ Diabetology etc.so that the concerned medical specialists will seek
their support for drug therapy and various clinical studies.The students have to be
specialised in the drugs used in those specialities.
The pharmaceutical industry in India has attained tremendous growth and
development during the last few decades. So also the Pharmacy education.
However the
pharmacy practice at community and hospital levels are not yet modernized and
made professional compared to international standards and practices. The
Pharm.D
relationship between the pharmacy practice department and the health care
25

professionals in the hospitals and community set ups.The Pharm.D students have
to exhibit their calibre, competence and capabilities in making the drug therapy
and health care safer, cost- effective and user friendly. In hospitals, the practicing
pharmacists, including pharmacy practice teachers, have to work in tandem with
other health
care professionals.They have to acquire knowledge about other health care
professions through interactions, discussions and team work. In spite of the
number of deficiencies and weaknesses of the Indian Pharm.D programmes, the
experiences of the first 4 or 5 years of
Pharm.D in India show that it is a sought after pharmacy course in the country,
though currently limited to certain south Indian states.
Students brilliant academic background and visions are joining the course The
educated classes of people including the NRIs and internet information from across
the world help
of the profession and the professionals to help them materialise their dreams and
lead them to a better tomorrow.
They need the leadership by teachers who are good and capable guides, influential
mentors and skilled preceptors
26

About the author
Samrat Satyarnjan Paul successfully completed Pharm D(PB) course and 1year
of internship in the year 2014,from Navodaya Medical Hospital and Research
center, Raichur, under RGUHS. He did his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya,
Surat and passed SSC in 1999 and HSC in 2001. He did his graduation from
J.L.Chaturvedi College Of Pharmacy under R.T.M Nagpur University. He
passed B.Pharm in 2007. He appeared in many entrance exams in his course of
career : PMT, GATE, MHCET, GRE, IELTS. Then in 2010, he took admission
in Pharm D(PB) course which was then recently started by PCI. He got lateral
entry directly into the 4th year of Pharm D.
27

When in 5th year of Pharm D(PB), he did a six months period project on topic “
Drug Use Evaluation of Antibiotics used in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital”,
which was accepted in 64 IPC (INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL
CONGRESS) for poster presentation.
He presented his own research paper titled “ Drug Use Evaluation of Antibiotics
used in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital” in 64 IPC.
th
th
28

He has publications in scientific journals:
2. “Study on prescribing and administration of therapeutic aerosols in pediatric
pulmonary disease at a private tertiary care teaching hospital” in International
Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, IJPBS July-Sept 2013: 3(3);
455-461
29

He is a registered pharmacist under Gujarat State Pharmacy Council.
He is also a member of IPA (INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL
ASSOCIATION).
30

WORK EXPERIENCE:
After he graduated in B.Pharm, he worked in Multinational Pharmaceutical
Corporate Companies like Pfizer and Ranbaxy in their Sales department and
promoted their brand products.
Job description : Detailing of Higher Antibiotics and other drugs to Physicians
and General Practitioners, their uses, advantages, side effects, drug interactions,
precautions, relevant clinical trials occurred and their significance etc,
(Antibacterials - Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Clindamycin and other
competitor molecules); Painkillers like Piroxicam and competitors like Diclofenac
and Aceclofenac; novel molecule like Vernaciline tartarate ; cough syrups;
Antidepressants like Sertraline
Job description : associated with various activities like- detailing to doctors and
physicians the profiling of cardiac and diabetic products(medicines), mainly drugs
which belong to classes like Antihypertensives (Olmesartan, Nebivolol), Alpha-
glucosidase inhibitors (Voglibose), Biguanides (Metformin), Diuretics (Torsemide,
Hydrochlorthiazide), HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Atorvastatin), Fibric Acid
derivative (Fenofibrate) and also the others that belong to other relatively pitted-
against drugs or classes of drugs; conducting Diabetic Detection Camps ( blood
glucose test and HbA1c test) and Lipid Profile Testing camps in association with
doctors and physicians; conducting Outpatient department (OPD) camps and
Continuous Medical education (CME) programs in association with doctors and
31

physicians, dealing with retailers (medical stores), stockiest and Carry
Forwarding Agency (CFA).
He got an appraisal letter for his outstanding performance for the month of May
2010 with over 110% achievement, on 7 June 2010, from Mr. Yugal Sikri,
Country Head, India Region, Ranbaxy Labs Ltd.
After he completed his post graduation in Pharm D(PB), he worked in Medical
Coding sector like Medusind Solutions as a Content Analyst and also did
outsourcing job .
3) Company :Medusind Solutions
Duration : 13 Aug 2014 to present
Job description : Content Analyst
Pharmacotherapeutics, Patient Counselling , Clinical Research,
Pharmacovigilance and Applied Clinical Pharmacokinetics. He is devoted to make
the concept of practicing clinical pharmacist a reality and promote pharmacist as
an active and important health care professional. Pharmacists Care, no matter
where!!!
Achievements
1 Participated in Intercollegiate Debate Competition held by Indian
Pharmaceutical Association.
th
32

2 Got an appraisal letter for my performance for the month of May 2010 with over
110% achievement, on 7th June 2010, from Mr. Yugal Sikri, Country Head,
India Region, Ranbaxy Labs Ltd.
3 Attended 62nd and 64th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress held at Manipal
University, Manipal and SRM University, Chennai respectively.
4 Presented poster of my own research paper titled “ Drug Use Evaluation of
Antibiotics used in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital” in 64th IPC
5 Attended National Seminar on “Recent trends in Clinical Research and Drug
Discovery” held at Oxford College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru
6 Attended National Seminar on “Recent trends in Clinical Research and Drug
Discovery” held at KL College of Pharmacy, Bagalkot.
7 Attended seminar on “ Pharmacovigilance”, organized by Abott
Pharmaceutical Company at NMCH and RC, Raichur.
8 Attended National Seminar on " Pharmaceutical Quality by design(QbD):
Product and Process Development" organized by dept. of Pharmaceutics, NET
Pharmacy College, Raichur.
33

career options for those with a degree
in Pharmacy
Most of us think of pharmacists as the persons who are behind the counter when
we go to a drug store with a prescription. While retail pharmacy is a common
career choice for pharmacists, there are many other options available to those who
have completed their Pharm.D degree and the necessary licensure requirements.
Although there are a variety of practice settings, compensation remains relatively
consistent across all of these employment options with minor variations according
to hours of work and call.
Retail Pharmacy/ Chemists
A pharmacist in medical retail store prepares and dispenses drugs on prescription
to the general consumer. With the growing availability of pre-packaged doses, the
pharmacists now monitor the drug sale on the basis of prescriptions and dosage
and give over-the-counter advice on how to use the prescribed drugs.
In the retail sector pharmacists run chemist's shops. As medical representatives,
they inform and educate medical practitioners about the potential uses of the drug
or health product and its administration along with the side effects or precautions
for its use. The job entails regular visits to medical practitioners, hospitals, clinics,
nursing homes, health centres. There is usually a lot of touring to be done in this
case.
Hospital Pharmacy
34

The primary role of a hospital pharmacist is to provide medication and medication
management services to patients who are hospitalised or are visiting hospital-
based clinics, and to provide medication services to health professionals who care
for patients in the hospital set up.
Hospital pharmacists have exposure to many complicated and unique therapy
needs, including intravenous medication therapy, nutrition, and the specific needs
of newborns and the elderly. Pharmacists in the practice find working with other
health professionals, work variety and focused clinical care opportunity rewarding.
This is the second most common practice area.
Industrial Pharmacy
While most firms are involved in the production of pre-formulated preparations, a
growing number of firms are developing new formulations through autonomous
research work. Industrial pharmacists carry out clinical trials, where drugs are
tested for safety and effectiveness work in research and development to develop new
formulations the production job entails management and supervision of the
production process, packaging, storage and delivery work in marketing, sales and
quality control.
In addition to the many opportunities for graduates in the many areas of
pharmacy practice there are increasing numbers of opportunities within the
pharmaceutical industry in advanced and specialised areas, as the depth and
breadth of education in pharmacy increases opportunities in industry. This
includes the promotion of pharmaceuticals to health professionals, marketing,
35

development of new drugs and dosage forms, clinical studies in patients,
monitoring pharmaceutical use on a population scale, and managing regulatory
and legal issues.
Government Services
Pharmacists are hired within the central and state government departments - the
Health Protection Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare, the Pest
Control Division of Agriculture, the Department of National Defense, Provincial
Research Councils, and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture or
Environment. There are employment opportunities available also within the food
and cosmetic industries or within any other industry that requires an assurance
that new products are as safe and effective as possible. In government
departments, a pharmacist maintains proper records according to various Acts
governing the profession.
Pharmaceutical Education
Many pharmacists work as faculty in colleges of pharmacy. These pharmacists
enjoy influencing the future of pharmacy by educating future pharmacists and
may participate in direct patient care and/or scientific research as well. Academic
pharmacist practice has its rewards in disseminating and discovering new ideas
that change medication use, pharmacist practices and healthcare policy. Career as
a teacher is satisfying as it allows interaction with people, especially students, and
provides them with the flexibility to pursue their own ideas in the field.
Nuclear Pharmacy
36

Nuclear pharmacists are responsible for measuring and delivering radioactive
materials which are used in digital imaging (MRI, CT, etc) and other procedures
in medical offices and hospitals. Due to the nature of the radioactive materials and
how they are handled, nuclear pharmacists are typically required to start each
work day very early, sometimes pre-dawn, as the radioactive materials must be
delivered within a few hours of their use, or they lose their effectiveness
Clinical Research
Recently, Clinical research has also opened its door for B.Pharma graduates as
medical underwriter, CRO, data validation associate, clinical research associate
etc. A clinical research associate plays an important role in monitoring and
overseeing the conduct of clinical trials, which are conducted on healthy human
volunteers. They have to see that the trials meet the international guidelines and
the national regulatory requirements.
The primary role of a community pharmacist is to provide medication and
medication related services to patients. In most settings, pharmacists provide
prescription drug services to their community of patients, working with the
patients and a broad spectrum of healthcare providers to achieve the best possible
healthcare outcome of medication.
Quality Control & analysis
A pharmacy graduate can play a crucial role in controlling product quality as an
analytical chemist or a quality control manager. The Drug and the Cosmetics Act
(1945), Rules 71(1) and 76(1) says that the manufacturing activity should be
taken up under the supervision of a technical man whose qualification should be B
PharmA, B Sc, B Tech or medicine with Bio-Chemistry.
Research and Development
New and expanding knowledge in healthcare and biomedical sciences provides
tremendous opportunities for the pursuit of research careers for pharmacists.
Graduates with Pharm.D degree can pursue a research career directly or go in for
additional education either in the form of residency and fellowship training or in
formal graduate programmes leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
37

With a clinical focus one can be involved in the conduct and analysis of large-scale
human drug studies in academic, industrial, and governmental settings.
Pharmacists are also highly qualified to pursue additional training in business,
public health, or pharmaceutical socioeconomics in order to become involved in
research in drug utilisation, healthcare outcomes, and the provision of pharmacy
services.
Sales and Marketing
Ambitious achievers with pleasant personality and good communication skills can
opt for the job of Medical Sales Representative. Companies prefer pharmacy
graduates for this job, as they have a good knowledge about the drug molecules,
their therapeutic effects and the drug -drug interactions.
38

Changing Trends in Global Pharmacy
Workforce
INTRODUCTION
Increased demand for health services and increasing expectations to service
delivery have a significant effect in shaping work dynamics.Contemporary issues
surrounding the global pharmacy workforce identified from the literature's include
the importance of working conditions and job satisfaction, wide range of supply
and demand factors affecting the workforce and migrations.To support growth in
the establishment of pharmacy practice and its aspiration for increased patient
focused care, work force needs another trends will need to be factored into
pharmaceutical service development plans.
Global Policy Context
The world’s health workforce is facing significant challenges with a shortage of
more than FOUR million health workers worldwide. The global health workers
crisis is possibly the greatest health system constraint on countries seeking to meet
their 2015 millennium development goals (MDGs). Increased demand for health
services and increasing expectations for service delivery has changed the health
39

workforce issues have generated huge interest and international action to bring
about change. -World health report 2006
In order to meet the MDGs, had laid revolutionary change in every sector of
healthcare system in accelerating, delivering and planning the future health care
professional not only to national needs but also to global health innovations.
In many countries, pharmacists are the most accessible of all health care workers
and a such play a key role in the delivery of health care services, particularly the
safe distribution of medicines at all levels. In an era of rapidly accelerating change
in health care delivery, the roles of pharmacists are constantly being redefined, as
roles, competency, and training requirements change.Thus, understanding the
current workforce and the factors that influence it are key components to human
resource planning in pharmacy. As the recent report from the Office of The Chief
Pharmacist of US, a health system improvement that is well supported by the
evidence-base is to maximize the expertise and scope of pharmacists in minimize
expansion barriers for an already existing and successful upgrading the health
care delivery models in USA, Canada, Australia and Great Britain. There is also
a need for countries to model their workforce needs based on predicted future
provision of services and care, roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy support
workforce, increased use of technology, the advancement of biotechnology and
personalized medicine, demographic changes, and future patterns of working all
while ensuring there is a sustainable academic workforce to maintain the supply of
suitably trained pharmacists.
Work Condition & Job Satisfaction
The level of job satisfaction among pharmacy personnel is an important indicator
of staff turnover and retention. A number of studies found female pharmacists hold
high levels of job satisfaction compared with their male counterparts.Other factors
identified as increasing pharmacist retention were good remuneration, good
relationships with co-workers, and flexible schedules. Factors increasing staff
turnover included high stress, insufficient or unqualified staff, and poor
salary.Evidence also suggests that pharmacists engaged in shift work might
present unique characteristics, which has implications for labour supply and
pharmacy services delivery.
Workforce development: Education, training, & leadership
Continuing professional development (CPD) has the potential to be useful in
pharmacy workforce revalidation. Pharmacy professionals on the whole agreed
with the principle of engaging with CPD, but there was little evidence to suggest
40

widespread and wholehearted acceptance and uptake of CPD, essential for
revalidation.Direct experience of effective CPD in the absence of perceived barriers
could impact personal and professional development and patient benefit, thus
strengthening personal beliefs in the value of CPD.
Supply and demand issues: Current status & future directions Increased demand
and limited supply of pharmacists constrains the ability of the workforce to
expand. Many different supply and demand factors that influence the pharmacy
profession were identified, the majority of which were common to most countries.
Supply and demand issues: Current status & future directions The most common
factors increasing demand for pharmacists were increased feminisation, increased
clinical governance measures through continually reviewing and improving the
quality of patient care, increased numbers of prescriptions, and increased
complexity of medication therapy. The most common factors mitigating demand
for pharmacists included increased use of technology, expansion in the numbers
and roles of pharmacy technicians, and increased numbers of pharmacy graduates.
Pharmacy workforce migration
There is greater migration from less-developed countries to more-developed
countries. The pharmacist workforce from African and Asian countries was
disproportionately affected by migration. Significant number of pharmacists from
developing countries migrate to the developed world; however, the extent of such
migration was not properly captured. Postulated reasons for migration include
better remuneration, joining or supporting family, political and social instability,
poor living conditions, poor working conditions and management, unsafe
environment, further training and qualifications, and job opportunities and
satisfaction.
Conclusion
The current challenges affecting the global pharmacy workforce in ensuring
equitable access and responsible use of safe, effective and quality medicines. The
present status states that there is a huge paradigm shift from the past to current
Pharmacy profession leading in the developed countries for more advancement and
the developing countries upgrading for the better services with new branches in
managing future needs in delivering of the health services. But still many skillful
pharmacists are needed to strengthen the workforce in the Global Pharmacy.
Source: Global workforce Report 2012
41

why one should consider Pharm D
programme?
Different people have different career dreams. Just like any other career, pharmacy
is not as easy as it seems. This is especially considering the fact that you will have
to work really hard first before you can get your degree. Nevertheless, it is correct
to say that every moment of it is worth your effort. This is because pharmacy
offers you a wide range of career opportunities in the different health sectors.
Pharm.D simply refers to a six year doctorate program in pharmacy. Different
countries have different policies and in some countries this is considered as a first
professional doctorate degree in pharmacy and the grandaunts can be given the
license to exercise their profession. The health care industry is very vital. A doctor
of pharmacy is intended to prepare the students for different responsibilities as
pharmaceutical care, research, pharmaceutical science and health policy and
management among others.
With the many job opportunities contracted for this career, it is correct to say that
the Pharm.D programs are one of the most marketable syllabuses globally.
Positions are usually available in research facilities in different universities,
43

hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and advisory boards
among many other places. Such programs will usually differ from the regular
PhD which is usually theoretical to a research based degree.
You can get your doctorate in pharmacy from the different universities across the
globe. While a simply degree in pharmacy is acceptable, today, more and more
people would prefer to graduate with a Doctors in pharmacy especially due to the
tight competition in the career opportunities available.
A Pharm.D degree is intended to equip you with all the knowledge necessary for
any pharmaceutical field of practice. What is more, students are also endowed
with the necessary health care skills which are going to come in handy once they
start practicing.
44

Pharm D the No. 1 employer in
Medical Research !!!
OR Ideally it should be Pharmaceutical Research.
The pharmacy community contributes to biomedicine at multiple levels including
education, scholarly activity, and service through patient care. Pharm.D have a
broad base of knowledge in pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacotherapy,
pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomics, as well as a strong
understanding of human metabolism, transport, and elimination. Because of
significant interest in clinical research questions related to drug development and
therapeutics, the field of pharmacy is in a unique position to conduct research
toward achieving the goal of individualized prescription drug therapy. With the
ability to envision translational endpoints, Pharm.D is a valuable component of
the current biomedical research enterprise.
Pharmaceutical scientists can offer unique perspectives to clinical and translational
research, such as introducing and integrating pharmacogenomic approaches and
methods to clinical trials in various disease areas. In addition, Pharm.D
researchers can play an important bridging role between clinical investigators who
may not otherwise find each other. Broad training in physiology and drug
metabolism enables Pharm.D scientists to pursue research interests in a range of
therapeutic areas, including but not limited to oncology, cardiology, HIV/AIDS,
liver disease, and health services research. Pharmaceutical scientists that are
currently conducting studies in these areas provided brief accounts of their
research, described their own career paths, and offered suggestions on
strengthening the Indian Pharm.D researcher pipeline.
Despite a wide range of individual career trajectories, these successful
pharmaceutical researchers all viewed certain characteristics of their training as
pivotal to their becoming productive, independent scientists. These include i) high-
quality mentoring, ii) grant-writing education and experience, iii) exposure to
rigorous research, and iv) clinical acumen acquired through practice experience.
Leading pharmaceutical scientists have followed diverse paths to yield successful
research careers
45

Historically, most of the trailblazers in pharmacy research discovered their interest
and compatibility with scientific investigation relatively late in the game. Most
reported that they turned to research after realizing that manufacturing &
dispensing alone was not sufficient to hold their interest. Many also were
dissatisfied with the lack of a literature basis for pharmacy practice. Once these
investigators chose to pursue a research career, a common thread to their eventual
success was the significant value of mentoring (occasionally from outside the
profession). Whether on-site or from a distance, mentoring is an essential
component of the professional development of junior investigators. Through
continual nurturing from experienced investigators, junior scientists acquire the
necessary professional skills for succeeding in research, such as grant-writing and
manuscript preparation. Mentoring Pharm.D students from current level should
also include a focus on raising awareness about clinical research opportunities and
play their role in interpreting the research.
Pharm.D aspirants have a wide range of research exposure and career interests in
academia and industry
Some students plan to pursue Ph.D. after earning their Pharm.D degree, whereas
others obtain research experience through some type of post graduate diploma in
research after receiving a Pharm.D degree. There is some debate about the value
of each type of training approach in our country, but general consensus exists that
when it comes to training, one size does not fit all. Speakers agreed that a solid
basic science education and meaningful clinical experience were both important
ingredients of a successful pharmacy researcher.
For those students who focus on research, individual preference as well as research
interest and skills will influence whether that graduate suits his employment in
academia, industry, or other venues such as the government. One reality is
money: Every graduate who had the thought to accumulate into the industry
46

after his Pharm.D degree will find a high-paying position in industry in future. It
is also important to recognize that emerging Pharm.D graduates will surely draw
their importance and contribution to industry irrespective of other concerns.
Pharm.D's had the opportunity to play key leadership roles in contract research
organizations (CROs), pharmacovigilance, health policy makers, pharmaceutical
firms, and biotechnology companies in their careers.
47

THE STRUGGLE
Whims of my mind:
Why is it so that in India, the Pharm D course has been initially started in South
Indian states only?
So many regulatory bodies and governing bodies in pharmacy education
PCI(Pharmacy Council Of India) and AICTE(All India Council for technical
education) are the governing bodies in the pharmacy education , keeping in mind
the compounding and dispensing as well as the technical aspects involved in
Pharmaceutical Engineering .
Now with the advent of Pharm D course in pharmacy, which is clinically oriented
6 years course in pharmacy and the syllabus is designed such as first 3 years are
same as B.Pharm ( compounding and dispensing oriented) and next 2 years are
same as MD Pharmacology (medically and clinically oriented) and 1 year of
internship in an attached (minimum- 300 beded) hospital , one may expect MCI
(medical council of India) to get into the thick of the matters.
As it requires an affiliation with a hospital( minimum 300 beded), to get
approval for an pharmaceutical institute from PCI to conduct the course , one
must expect MCI(medical council of India) also to get involved as a regulatory
and governing body.
PCI governs courses like : D.Pharm
B.Pharm
Pharm D and Pharm D(PB)
AICTE governs courses like : B.Pharm( jointly with PCI)
M.Pharm
Now one must expect PCI and MCI may jointly govern Pharm D and Pharm
D(PB)
48

But no, its not a rational thinking on my part. MCI will get involve only when
the course is a medical one or may be when the professional doctor is dealing with
a body part.
So, its fair enough that MCI is not involved into these matters.
Is Pharm D or PharmD(PB) is a professional doctorate degree or an academic
doctorate degree?
This source of notification seems to be quite authentic:Check it out!!!
To All Universities.
Sub: Clarification on Pharm.D qualification.
Sir/Madam
With reference to the subject cited above, I directed to inform that subject cited
issue was considered by the 88th /CC in its meeting held in August, 2011 &
decided to forward a clarification to all universities that Pharm.D is a PG
qualification and passed out students can directly register for Ph.D.
This is for information.
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
(ARCHNA MUDGAL)
Registrar-cum-Secretary
Nav/14-
However tangentile feeling is as if its a UG course and a professional doctorate.
I think this should be done" A bridge course for connecting Pharm D and MBBS"
I think this should be done : " A bridge course for connecting Pharm D and
MBBS". This shall allow to produce talents and experts who have amalgamated,
comprehensive knowledge of all the 3 most important aspects of healthcare which
are medicine( for diagnosis of disease), pharmacy( for authentic knowledge of
medications for prescription writing) and surgery (of course for operations). This
has to definitely improve and enhance quality of patient-care manyfolds . Why we
shall always follow USA or western setups of education and service systems?
They are good no doubt, as they are rich countries with large budgets for
healthcare; but sometimes we must take initiatives and become leaders and
49

provide path-breaking or a new-path setting grounds for others to follow.
Therefore I wrote a mail to secretory of MCI (secretary@mciindia.org), requesting
for the same. It goes as follows:
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am currently pursuing 2nd year of PharmD (Post baccalaureate), which is a
relatively a new curriculum started by PCI since 2008 and which is clinically
oriented pharmacy. Up till now pharmacy in India was industry oriented i.e.
pharmacist was more into manufacturing,sales,research of discovery of novel
molecules and invention of formulations etc.But now with the advent of PharmD,
it has become clinically oriented i.e. now a pharmacist is given an opportunity,
allowed and equipped to play a role in direct patient care, giving pharmaceutical
care.
Madam, PharmD syllabus framed by PCI contains many pharmacy related
subjects along with the subjects which are present in common in both MBBS and
PharmD curriculum, i.e. subjects like anatomy and physiology (a lot lesser of it is
there in PharmD), Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology,
Biopharmaceutics (a lot more of it is there in PharmD).
Madam, I have a great respect for MBBS course and for physicians and surgeons.
And I am currently 29 year old man. This is to ask you whether its feasible/
possible that a new course/curriculum may be framed and started by MCI within
two to three years, which can bridge this gap between PharmD and MBBS.That
is, a bridge-course(of 3years duration) which shall allow a PharmD graduate to
be certified as MBBS,upon successfully completion of such a course. This may
bring a new input, perspective and vision in patient care, to MBBS/physician as
well as provide an opportunity, encourage, help fulfil dreams and strong
aspirations of human beings like me, who wish to study such a curriculum, get a
medical license, be a physician and earnestly want to play that very role in the
healthcare system, at this stage and age of our lives.
May all this come into effect for the 2014-2015 session.
Hoping for an encouraging, enlightening and positive reply on this request from
you.
Yours truly,
Samrat Paul
50

another letter in the scheme of things- further
To DATE: 27/03/2012
PLACE:RAICHUR
The Registrar,
Rajiv Gandhi University Of Health Sciences,Karnataka
Bangalore,
Subject:Immediate attention for correction & inclusion of subjects for pharm D
(PB) course-reg
Through: The Principal, N.E.T Pharmacy College Raichur.
Respected Sir,
We are the Pharm-D(Post Baccalautreate) students(2010-2013) pursuing the
course from NET Pharmacy College Raichur under RGUHS.
According to Pharm-D (Post Baccalaureate) regulations 2008 mentioned in
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, Karnataka, the
scheme of Examination for Pharm-D(Post Baccalaureate) Course, given in page
no. 4,the subject Hospital and Community pharmacy(serial no.1.5) is already
mentioned to be included in the First Year(Fourth year of Pharm-D course). But
instead the above subject, Biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics(serial no. 4.5)
has been included, as given in table (First year Post baccalaureate-Fourth year of
Pharm-D course) on page no.2.
This is to inform you that, at our B.Pharm syllabus under various Universities
we didn’t had subjects of Hospital & Community Pharmacy, and
Pathophysiology. These subjects are the basic and fundamental subjects for a
Pharm-D(PB) course, upon which other subjects are based e.g.:
Pharmacotherapeutics I,II,and III are related with Pathophysiology. Though
these subjects are included in the Pharm D(6yr-regular) university syllabus in
2nd year, where as these are not included in Pharm D(PB) RGUHS syllabus.
Sir, this is to bring to your notice that these above subjects are very important for
an aspirant clinical pharmacist to understand the basics and are the essence of the
Pharm D(PB) course.
All of us students of Pharm D(PB) also had not studied either of these two
subjects or one or none in our B.Pharm syllabus under our respective universities.
Sir, without having these 2 basic clinically oriented subjects
51

(1.Hospital&Community Pharmacy) and 2. Pathophysiology our course wont be
valid and valued.
We request you to kindly consider our appeal and make suitable amendments in
the existing Pharm.D(PB) Syllabus by adding these 2 basic subjects, effective
from this academic year, so that we all Pharm D(PB) students may cover all the
required core subjects under our syllabus which will enable us to be at par with
Pharm D(6yr-regular) students who already have these subjects in their
syllabus. This may also enable us to be eligible for appearing in competitive exams
at international level. Hence we shall get better jobs and opportunities globally.
We hope our request will be considered favorably and implemented at the earliest.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
Pharm D(Post Baccalaureate) students,
2010-13 batch
N.E.T PC Raichur.
ENCLOSURES: 1. List of Pharm D(PB) students of N.E.T Pharmacy College,
who completed B.Pharm . from various universities (including RGUHS) with
subjects not studied in their B.Pharm.
2. The remarks of our faculty on addition of subjects in Pharm D(PB) syllabus. .
3. FPGEC bulletin 2011. Copy to: 1. Dean, Faculty Of Pharmacy, RGUHS,
Bangalore. . 2. Chairman; BOS, Faculty Of , RGUHS, Bangalore.
RGUHS must add these basic,fundamental,core,clinically oriented subjects
5 out of 7 PharmD(PB) students in my class in NET Pharmacy college, Raichur
under RGUHS didnt had pathophysiology in their B.Pharm and which is still
missing in our Pharm D(PB) syllabus. all us students come from background of
B.pharm from different PCI recognised colleges from different universities like
RTM Nagpur University, Nagarjuna (ANU),Osmania, and Jaipur.
And all of us 7 students didnt had Community Pharmacy and same goes missing
from our Pharm D(PB) syllabus.
Also same is the case with Hospital pharmacy. this subject has also not been in
the syllabus of many of the students.
If these fundamental,core, and clinically oriented subjects are not included in our
52

syllabus atleast by 2nd year of our Pharm D(PB) syllabus, then we will be the
sufferers.
PCI and RGUHS are equally responsible for PharmD and PharmD(PB) as
well
request additions in Pharm D(PB) syllabus
Samrat Paul
final draft which we are posting to PCI
To DATE: 03/06/2011
The Registrar,
Rajiv Gandhi University Of Health Sciences,
Bangalore,
...
Subject: Request for additions in Pharm. D(Post Baccalaureate) syllabus.
Through: The Principal, N.E.T Pharmacy College Raichur.
Respected Sir,
We are the Pharm D(PB) students pursuing the course from NET Pharmacy
College Raichur under RGUHS. We did our B.Pharm course from various
universities (including RGUHS).
This is to inform you that in our B.Pharm syllabus under various Universities we
didn’t had subjects of Pathophysiology, Hospital Pharmacy & Community
Pharmacy. These subjects are the basic and fundamental subjects for a Pharm D
course, upon which other subjects are based e.g.: Pharmacotherapeutics I,II,and
III are related with Pathophysiology. Though these subjects are included in the
Pharm D(6yr) university syllabus in 2nd year, where as these are not included in
Pharm D(PB) RGUHS syllabus. Sir, this is to bring to your notice that these
subjects are very important for an aspirant clinical pharmacist to understand the
basics and are the essence of the Pharm D and Pharm D(PB) course.
Moreover, considering the above facts, few deemed universities have placed these
subjects in their current syllabus of Pharm D (PB) with Hospital and
Community Pharmacy clubbed as a single subject. So that students who take
admission in these universities for pursuing Pharm D(PB) after completion of
their B.Pharm course from other universities, get a chance to study these subjects,
53

give exams and hence get certified by them.See More
All of us students of Pharm D(PB) also had not studied either of these three
subjects or two or none in our B.Pharm syllabus under our respective universities.
Even B.Pharm syllabus of RGUHS has kept these subjects optional (Hospital
Pharmacy, Community Pharmacy). So those B.Pharm students of RGUHS who
opted oth...er subjects rather than above two mentioned subjects in their course ,
won’t get an opportunity to study these subjects if they choose to pursue Pharm D
(PB) course after the completion of their B.Pharm from our University .Sir, we
request you to please add these three subjects atleast in Pharm D(PB)2nd yr
syllabus before we PASS OUT by 2013.
Also FPGEC Application bulletin 2011 made it clear that they will certify Pharm
D(PB) students only under limited circumstances where the degree obtained and
coursework completed to obtain the degree satisfactorily show that the candidate
obtained experience in patient care in a clinical pharmacy practice setting, on a
case by case basis, after they are assured that the student has got good exposure in
a good clinical set up, by looking into the transcripts. Consideration of post
baccalaureate degrees and whether they may be applicable to determine the
minimum required curriculum length will be made on a case-by-case basis at the
sole discretion of the FPGEC(copy enclosed).
Sir, without having these 3 basic clinically oriented subjects (1. Pathophysiology
and 2. Hospital & Community Pharmacy clubbed as single subject) and the
respective practicals in hospital and community pharmacy, in the RGUHS
syllabus of Pharm D (PB), there are rare chances for Pharm D(PB) students of
RGUHS being certified by FPGEC. T...herefore we may not be approved to
appear for competitive exams like FPGEE, Naplex etc.
We request you to kindly consider our appeal and make suitable amendments in
the existing Pharm.D(PB) Syllabus by adding these 3 basic subjects, effective
from the academic year 2011 – 12, so that we all Pharm D(PB) students may
cover all the required core subjects under our syllabus which will enable us to be at
par with Pharm D(6yr) students who already have these subjects in their
syllabus. This may also enable us to be eligible for appearing in competitive exams
at international level. Hence we shall get better jobs and opportunities globally.
We hope our request will be considered favorably and implemented at the earliest.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
54

Pharm D(PB) students,
2010-11 batch
N.E.T PC Raichur.See More
ENCLOSURES: 1. List of Pharm D(PB) students of N.E.T Pharmacy College,
who completed B.Pharm . from various universities (including RGUHS) with
subjects not studied in their B.Pharm.
2. The remarks of our faculty on addition of sub...jects in Pharm D(PB) syllabus.
. 3. FPGEC bulletin 2011. Copy to: 1. Dean, Faculty Of Pharmacy, RGUHS,
Banglore. . 2. Chairman; BOS, Faculty Of , RGUHS, Banglore.See More

rubbish from PCI: why one must correlate internship fees issue with stipend to
interns issue?
Ref. No. 14-218/2013-PCI/80899-81004 Dated:28 feb, 2013
ALL INSTITUTIONS APPROVED BY PCI FOR THE CONDUCT OF
PHARM. D / PHARM. D (P.B) COURSE.
Sub.: Stipend for Pharm. D Students during internship.
Sir/Madam
With reference to the subject cited above, it is stated that there have been a strong
demand from the students undergoing Pharm D course that they should be paid
Stipend during the 6th year (internship) and in case Stipend is not paid they may
be exempted from payment of fee during the internship period.
It is requested that your comments on the above demand may be sent to this
council within 15 days to examine the matter further.
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
(ARCHNA MUDGAL)
Registrar-cum-
This letter/ common circular from PCI is rubbish.This is so confusing- first of all
the institutions should not expect fees for the internship year, which is a
customary thing for other healthcare courses: may it be medical, dental,
physiotherapy or nursing students- no body pays for the internship year. So why
should one must co- relate the internship year fee with the stipend? Both are
55

totally different things and un related. A Pharm D student must get stipend and
must not be forced to give the fee for the Intenship year. This is so wrong!!!
I just wonder Whats the poor status of an organization like PCI- it simply has no
authority or upperhand over its approved institutions. It actually doesnt has any
control over these institutions.

Everything regarding PCI's Pharm D course is confusing and wrong- no
following of customary things and common morality
According to a recent common circular to all pharmaceutical institutions by PCI
registrar, which says and demands a report from all institutions about a strong
demand from Pharm D students regarding providing stipend. This circular from
PCI demands a report from its affiliated institutes within 15 days on :"either the
institutions provide stipend to the Pharm D interns or should return the
Internship year's fee to the student"
. This is so confusing- first of all the institutions should not expect fees for the
internship year, which is a customary thing for other healthcare courses: may it
be medical, dental, physiotherapy or nursing students- no body pays for the
internship year. So why should one must co- relate the internship year fee with
the stipend? Both are totally different things and un related. A Pharm D student
must get stipend and must not be forced to give the fee for the Intenship year. This
is so wrong!!!
I just wonder Whats the poor status of an organization like PCI- it simply
has no authority or upperhand over its approved institutions. It actually doesnt
has any control over these institutions.
Pharm D(PB) syllabus phewwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just few days back PCI inspection took place in our college ie in NET Pharmacy
College,Raichur. We got the opportunity to have a talk about PharmD(PB)
syllabus problems with the PCI Inspector Dr.Abhay Dharamsi-Principal Atmiya
Sarvoday Kelavani Samaj Sanchalit Institute Of Pharmacy,Rajkot.We even
shown him the letter we wrote to the Registrar, Dean and Chairman of RGUHS
and same we sent to PCI President Dr. B.Suresh.
When we discussed that how these problems have evolved because of non-
56

uniformity of B.Pharm syllabus among all over the different universities of
india.To this , he responded by remarking that PCI is only responsible for
D.Pharm, PharmD, and PharmD(PB)courses and not for B.Pharm and
M.Pharm courses, whereas B.Pharm and M.Pharm courses are responsibility of
AICTE. Further he added that Pharmacy in India have many fathers and thats
why all these problems came into existence.
When we asked him what should be our set of line of action, in order to solve our
syllabus issues, he replied that our direct approach and all communications about
this issue should be with first the owner or management of the respective college
and finally with RGUHS university, as University has the power to add the
required subjects but not delete the subjects in a course.Also he said that even if
this requires the university to add, and the students to study additional 6 months
or 1 year, to cover these subjects in their syllabus, Pharm D(PB) students should
be mentally prepared and ready for the same as those 6 months or 1 year will
make their future years of their long career and life smooth and comfortable. Same
was conyeved to us by our Principal Dr H. Doddaya long back ago.They both
said these additions must be done so as we students become effective and
competitive clinical pharmacists.
My personal take on this issue is that if PCI has started Pharm D(PB) course and
consider itself morally responsible for the good future and careers of the students
who are pursuing this course than it must see to it that PB syllabus in RGUHS is
upto the mark and those who will pass this course will be certified rationally only
after they have studied and appeared for exams in all the basic and core subjects
like (Pathophysiology,Hospital Pharmacy and community Pharmacy),despite
AICTE related hurdles, because a genuine and legal father should always feel
concern about his children.And ofcourse we NET Pharm D(PB)students dont
mind continuing our study for additional 6 months or 1 year,if the additions are
made as soon as possible ,in effect for 2011-2012.I hope and believe other Pharm
D(PB) students from other colleges under RGUHS, also dont mind the same.
Also such requests and letters must come from other PharmD(PB)colleges
.Another thing is that it would be a lot more easier and convenient for Bangalore
PharmD(PB)students to go and communicate directly and frequently with the
chairman, dean (faculty of Pharmacy, RGUHS) rather than NET students,
Raichur to do the same. So I request Pharm D(PB)students of colleges of
bangalore to please do the same.
The issue of Pharm D and Pharm D(PB) syllabus
57

Even we are trying to put this issue infront of other principals and students of
other Pharm D(PB) colleges so that they may also write and demand for the
same.We are sending mails to as many of them as we can. You see right now not
many people are aware of the issue and the consequences. And yes, its not all
about American dream(though it counts),...The main issue is that the syllabus of
Pharm D(PB)course is lacking the core,basic, clinically oriented subjects like
Pathophysiology, Hospital Pharmacy and community Pharmacy under
RGUHS.Pharm D and Pharm D(PB) is all about clinical orientation isn't it? As
we mentioned in our letter to Registrar RGUHS,Pharmacotherapeutics I,II,III
subjects are based upon Pathophysiology.
However PCI should not be excused from the accusation that PCI failed to provide
an uniform,common for all and a complete syllabus for Pharm D(PB) students
,any course is structured so as some logical sequence is there....u should not make
study a student of 1st class physics without making him first study ABCD
alphabets.....similarly all pharmacy students should have studied pathophysiology
first in B.Pharm only and then pharmacotherapeuticsI,II.and III.But since PCI is
afterall PCI, they never taken care that one uniform syllabus should be made for
all the universities. This PharmD course is also directly copied from USA system
of education.... why PCI could also have structured such a syllabus earlier only,
but never- we know only to do copy from USA...we will never take first
step.Moreover in RGUHS, it seems they structured or copied the syllabus without
using brains.even RGUHS doesnt know how to copy properly!!! And I can't
blame anyone else because I expect vision of an Organisation to be broader than a
student's or than an individual's. okay but now what is there in our hands is- we
must ask our university that atleast before we pass out these basic subjects should
be taught to us...
So what I want to say is that without being made to study these core subjects (or
without the inclusion of these subjects in our transcripts) , what will be the value
of our degree/qualification? Moreover these subjects are included in the Pharm
D(6 years) syllabus,so they dont need to worry...But what about us Pharm
D(PB)?
again as this course is clinically oriented, when we will pass out and will be in
clinical field/hospitals, we will be working along with physicians...I fear what
will happen when suppose during an interaction they will ask us a simple basic
question about pathophysiology eg. whats the functions of IL-1, IL-6 etc and we
will fail to reply.Again they may make fun of us as addressing us "compounder
turned doctors".Sir we wont be an effective and competitive clinical pharmacist
58

which is the central objective of this course.
PCI is the parent organisation.we must put this issue infront of them, into their
ears.sir I sincerely request you to take this issue to PCI and our university
registrar, dean and chairman(Board of studies).we NET PharmD people did our
bit by posting letters to PCI and RGUHS people through our principal and also
high level management of our college has also assured us that they will, at their
level, take this issue further to the policy makers.But for this to happen
successfully and fast, such voices should come and raise also from other PB
students from other colleges and universities.We learnt similar syllabus problems
are there within many universities.Because honestly we are very small in
strength esp PB ...hardly few all over India...and this only is the reason that such
blunder happened in formulating the syllabus by PCI or respective universities,,
however, well, we are bothered only about RGUHS syllabus....so now we do need
to take some disperate steps as fast as possible so that we the current batch can
also may get benefitted.No fun if PCI make additions in the syllabus after we all
pass out. Again like America did, they will also make ammendments/laws that
PB students from _year to _year are only eligible and rest are not..... You will
understand my point better if you look into the FPGEC bulletin 2011(availble for
free download -search in google-easily you may find).
In reference to PharmD(PB) students, i feel PCI should see to it that whosoever
gets the degree PharmD, certified by them, should have basic knowledge in a
subject like pathophysiology, hospital pharmacy and community pharmacy.if
there are discriminations between PharmD and PharmD(PB), those should be
rectified on ground level......one same ground/course for each PharmD
student.....afterall we PharmD(PB) students will also be certified as
PharmD...we all are supposed to be called as Doctor Of
Pharmacy.pathophysiology is the essence of PharmD and Pharm D(PB) course.
unless child wont cry, even mother wont feed the child her milk. similarly i am
making hue and cry here on this wall so that this hunger in us Pharm D(PB)
students gets into notice of our parent organisation PCI. we even wrote and posted
letters regarding this issue to PCI president and our university registrar.
Again the same thing I am saying that the ultimate sufferers will be guys like me
PharmD(PB) who dont have BASIC FUNDAMENTAL CORE CLINICALLY
ORIENTED SUBJECTS{LIKE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY,HOSP PHARMACY
,COMMUNITY PHARMACY ON WHICH OTHER SUBJECTS ARE
BASED LIKE PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS-I,II,III in their syllabus and
59

that makes us quite a looser in terms of competency and effectivity when we speak
of clinical Pharmacist. WE dont want to fell short and feel ashamed when we will
pass out and be in same clinical field along with physicians. Also our agenda is
just that we want RGUHS or PCI to include these basic subjects in our PB
syllabus...ONE COMMON GROUND AND COURSE FOR ALL PHARM D
AND PHARMD PB GRADUATES... we must get fair opportunity to study
these basic clinically oriented subjects- as afterall Pharm D and PharmDPB are
all about clinical Pharmacy.

Well its up to University i guess.
Even B-pharmacy & M-pharmacy each university has different syllabus . So, its
up to the university i guess .

A similar issue
A batch from VLCP suffered similar glitch for more than 15 years . No state
board of pharmacy wanted to register only people passed in those 2 to years .So,
no body could n't go to any forien countries to do job. Their juniors can regsiter
and their seniors can register but not only their batch + 2 more batches.
.They as a team brought college, university and PCI to court . The case ran for 10
years and nothing happend. Finally someone taught them art of Negotiation. So
their seniors like Ramana Reddy formed a team and strated negotiating with
college, university , and PCI. It took sometime but finally their batch got
recognisized. So, blaming or making noise may get "attention" but may not solve
actual problem..
New developments in the scheme of things but very late
Subject: Immediate attention for correction and inclusion of subject for Pharm
D(Post Bacclaureate ) course- reg
Sir,
I am trying to bring to your kind notice that there is a discrepancy in the course
details of First year Post Baccalaureate PharmD released in the regulations of
RGUHS, 2008. It is observed that in the subject details mentioned in page
no.2/table for First year Post Baccalaureate course , serial no. 4.5 under the name
of the subject it is mentioned as Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics.
60

However there is total deviation observed in the scheme of examination for the
same course in page no.4, it is Hospital & Community Pharmacy subject
mentioned in serial no. 1.5. Infact one that is referred in this page is the
appropriate title and one that is mentioned in page no. 2 is not relevant.
Hence I request you to submit the same to the University so that it may be
considered in forthcoming Academic Council Meeting. However the "Students
Representation Copy" is attached here with this mail for your reference.
Thanking You
H.O.D Pharmacy Practice,
N.E.T Pharmacy College.
PHARM D(PB) course is a failure of PCI
PCI failed to provide an uniform, common for all and a complete syllabus for
Pharm D (PB) students.

Monopoly-is this the motto behind delayedsubject addition issue?
who are the stakeholders for pharmD(PB)? Who will protect our rights ?who will
see our benefits are taken care ofinstead of thinking about others/PharmD , let us
think about ourselves /PharmD(PB).Once you are happy then only you are able
to keep others happy isnt it?one official association should be made there
concerning the benefits of PharmD(PB) and for the protection of rights of
pharmd(PB) students, who will take care of any issues related with
PharmD(PB).whats ur say?Any talk related with the betterment of
pharmD(PB) students should be encouraged here.Friends,my opinions are
entirely my own and I can recommend them. I agree with you on some of the
points u made here on this post, but my issue is that there should be some
uniformity through out the country regarding the syllabus of a
PharmD/PharmD(PB) curriculum.thats all i have to say.When I paid an
amount as fees in my college to get some degree and study a curriculum, i just
want to make it sure that i get the best out of it. My concern is only that the
fundamental, basic ,core subjects like pathophysiology, hospital Pharmacy and
community pharmacy must get added in the PharmD(PB) syllabus,this year
before i pass out. I am not blaming entirely to organizations like PCI and
universities for this.When I took admission in PharmD(PB), I was ignorant
61

about this syllabus issue, but now today when i came to know about this, i want
to rectify it and make other pharmD(PB) students like me ,aware about the same.
However I guess some blame also goes to the abovesaid parent organizations, as
when they are launching and approving a course, they should ensure that all is
well, because i expect an organization's vision should be much broader than an
individual's.you are responsible for your own life. I am not against PharmD
regular, I wish them all the best and all the luck. But I am worried about myself
and PharmD(PB) syllabus . There is nothing wrong in it!!!Now a days when it
snows or rains, 5% of people go outside and play and enjoy it ; while 95% make a
Facebook status about it.
Purpose is get aware and do something about the issue, just dont sit there doing
nothing.
On pharmaceutical events and on Facebook also I see students worrried and
talking about trival issues like putting prefix " Dr" infront of their name in
internship or after getting degree.
all tactics to mislead students from real issue. It doesnt matter whether they write
PharmD or doctor of pharmacy in degree, ultimately you remain a pharmacist.
My opinion:The real issue is they dont want to add the mentioned subjects in other
universities except in deemed universities like JSS and Manipal, who dont depend
on others to add any subjects in their syllabus. Thats why their fees is
exceptionally high in comparison to other universities and colleges . For
pharmD(PB) 3 yrs course ,they ask 9 lakhs.And Dr B.Suresh is Principal of the
JSS college as well as Chairman of JSS univ,who also happens to be the PCI
president.They want to create monopoly and enjoy the exclusive status of
colleges/universities with advantages of having additional subjects. The more
delay it gets for years,the more these exclusive universities enjoy this
benefit.Quote:You can tell monopoly is an old game because there is a luxury tax
and rich people can go to jail.

we should not be made scapegoats!!!
My issue is that there should be some uniformity through out the country
regarding the syllabus of a PharmD/PharmD(PB) curriculum.thats all i have to
say.When I paid an amount as fees in my college to get some degree and study a
curriculum, i just want to make it sure that i get the best out of it. My concern is
only that the fundamental, basic ,core subjects like pathophysiology, hospital
62

Pharmacy and community pharmacy must get added in the PharmD(PB)
syllabus, before i pass out this year. I am not blaming entirely to organizations
like PCI and universities for this.When I took admission in PharmD(PB), I was
ignorant about this syllabus issue that these subjects are missing, but now today
when i came to know about this, i want to rectify it and make other pharmD(PB)
students like me ,aware about the same. However I guess some blame also goes to
the abovesaid parent organizations, as when they are launching and approving a
course, they should ensure that all is well, because i expect an organization's
vision should be much broader than an individual's.
I can see PCI is getting a free publicity from me for PharmD(PB)
Any publicity is good for PharmD(PB),to spread awareness?Positive or negative
publicity both helps PCI?Isnt it?

Not much time is left...Changes must come before we pass out
I appeal to PharmD(PB) students of all colleges of nation to be aware of your own
syllabus and appeal Organisations and PCI for the required additions to be made
in the curriculum before you pass out, so that doors remain open for us otherwise
you dont get worth your college fee.
PharmD(PB) students shall start a NON COOPERATIVE strike againstPCI
PharmD(PB)students shall start a NON Cooperative strike against
colleges,Universities and PCI. Sorry if i sound rebellious but thats the very idea.
We cant afford to get it done late any more . This is high time.Subjects must get
added this year.
Lumpenproletariat of PharmD(PB) students society will do the damage
Lumpenproletariat means the apolitical lower orders of society uninterested in
revolutionary advancement.We must get united and ask for the rights like subject
additions in our curriculum.This only will open doors of further good quality
education may it be indian or abroad education for us.If we ourselves wont elect
the subjects which must be in the curriculum, than who else will?WE are
responsible for our lives. United we stand , divided we fall. We must not see the
downfall.
Many people have this notion
63

D pharmdindia

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (19)

En vedette

En vedette (7)

Similaire à D pharmdindia

Similaire à D pharmdindia (20)

Plus de Sams Pharmacy

Plus de Sams Pharmacy (10)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

D pharmdindia