Thousands of graduates of Doctor of Pharmacy, better known as Pharm D, have recently resorted to protest demonstrations in different cities in the country demanding the creation of post of clinical pharmacist for Pharm D holders in each hospital as per patient ratio. These graduates were forced to hit the streets as they could not find suitable jobs after six years of specialised learning and spending a huge amount of money as fees. The Pharm D holders now wanted the government to recognise them as a key healthcare providers as a patient counsellor who will facilitate patients with drug information, drug dosage, treat basic illness, create public awareness and engage in the administration of preventive health and immunisation programmes. They wanted the government to utilise their expertise in rural medical centres, drug information centres, drug de-addiction centres, patient counselling centres and in pharmacovigilance duties. The Pharm D holders complain that on one hand the government is saying there is an immense dearth of healthcare workforce in the country, while on the other hand it is ignoring the well qualified Pharm D professionals whose services can be utilised in government hospitals without any further training.
The Pharmacy Council of India introduced the Pharm D program in the country with much fanfare in 2008 with the main objective of imparting the necessary training and skill to undertake pharmacy practice in the field of patient care. The curriculum was designed to produce clinically competent pharmacists who can assume expanded responsibilities in patient care and assure the provision of rational drug therapy. The government introduced this 6-year course as the role of a pharmacist has been undergoing major changes world over in the wake of notable progress made by the pharmaceutical science and education. A pharmacist is a vital link in the physician-patient chain and he is expected to play a key role in the dissemination of pharmaceutical knowledge. In India, although pharmaceutical industry has advanced over the last more than three decades, the pharmacist continues to be a salesman in a retail pharmacy. The Pharm D was introduced in such a background to change this image by raising the standards of pharmacy education to produce world class pharmacists. At present, over 230 colleges are offering Pharm D program and the number of graduates is increasing every year. But, the job prospects are far and few as the government did not create a cadre to them, though they fall under Clinical Pharmacist cadre. It is a pity that the euphoria created over this course is petering out as these graduates are finding it difficult to get proper jobs after studying for six long years. Countries like US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Ireland and even Ethiopia have recognised well reputed courses like Pharm D and clinical pharmacists are an integral part of the healthcare system and work along with physicians and nurses efficiently. It is an irony that while the government introduced Pharm D to create world class pharmacists, it is not utilising their services. Instead of keeping a Nelson's eye towards this grave issue, both the central as well as the state governments should utilise the knowledge and expertise of these graduates to improve the healthcare delivery system which is at a shambles, especially in the rural parts of the country.