The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) are locking horns over administrative powers of pharmacy colleges in the country, it is learnt.

The PCI alleges that the AICTE is now ignoring the presence of PCI as a regulator of pharmacy education in the country. The AICTE did not even respond to the five odd PCI letters asking AICTE to ensure PCI registration mandatory for recognition of all pharmacy institutions. The issue has snowballed into a situation where the PCI has complained to its parent, Union ministry of health, to intervene and to redress the 'step-motherly treatment' from AICTE, which is under the HRD Ministry.

As Pharmabiz reported, of the 445 institutions that are functioning with AICTE sanction, only 243 have PCI approval and this has prevented 11,082 pharmacy students from getting registered with PCI. The annual intake of AICTE approved pharmacy colleges is 24,672. Of this, the student intake of PCI recognized colleges come to only 13,590.

Interestingly, the PCI has recommended in the proposed amendments to the Pharmacy Act to dissociate AICTE from controlling pharmacy education in the country. "Pharmacy colleges should be governed by pharmacists, and not engineers or doctors who lack knowledge on pharmacy education and its requirements. Further, the present dual system is also affecting the standards of pharmacy education in the country", Dr.B.Suresh, president of PCI told Pharmabiz.

Elaborating the viewpoint, he noted at present inspection of the pharmacy colleges is not properly done by AICTE, which is manning numerous colleges in other technology segments. "To my knowledge, a panel of two to three AICTE experts, which includes only one pharmacist as a representative, inspects about 10-15 institutions in a day. By this way, it is not possible to assess the standards of the pharmacy colleges. It has to be done by professionals who has understanding of the subject and requirements of the profession and industry", he said.

Further, at present an abysmal Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore is allotted annually for improving infrastructure in pharmacy colleges. Less than 10 per cent of the pharmacy colleges, mostly in the Government sector are allotted these funds. Unless adequate funding is provided to improve the technology infrastructure in pharmacy colleges, the students will not be able to imbibe the latest developments in the world of pharmaceutical industry and profession.

When pointed out that managements of many pharmacy colleges are not inclined in dissociating from AICTE fearing drying up of financial assistance, he said the funds for all institutions are allotted from the HRD ministry and is routed through UGC and other agencies. "Whether AICTE or not, the institutions will get adequate funds. The managements who fear PCI intervention are those who want to exploit the weaknesses in the system. They fear they would be exposed when PCI teams start inspecting their institutions". He said.

Dr.Suresh said PCI has recommended the Planning Commission to allocate Rs 100 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan, in order to improve the standards of pharmacy education.