Pharmacy Council of India is yet to revise the syllabus for the diploma course in pharmacy (D Pharm) even after 15 years since it was last revised. The indifferent attitude of PCI in this regard has been affecting the job prospects of the diploma holders, because the existing syllabus does not cover the latest developments in pharma industry.

According to sources, the current syllabus for D Pharm was framed way back in the mid-80's and is known as the Education Regulations 91(ER 91). Even though the PCI had come up with a syllabus in 2001 for the B Pharm course, it was not implemented.

As per the rules, the syllabus has to be changed or upgraded once in every 10 years so that the pharmacy students can hone their knowledge in accordance with the changing global demands. But the PCI after the ER 91 had not taken any steps to upgrade the syllabus forcing the pharmacy students to follow the 20-year old syllabus.

When contacted PCI president Dr B Suresh said, "The PCI has already informed the government on the issue and the government is expected to come up with a detailed plan in about six months' time. Instead of simply changing the syllabus, the government is expected to redefine the role of the pharmacists in the country".

Sources said, that considering the growth of the industry and the demand for pharmacists, the syllabus has to be upgraded at least once in every five years. While the Indian students are taught a 20-year old syllabus, the foreign universities are competing with each other to bring about innovative content in their curriculum. It is high time that India also follows the same footsteps and brings about changes in the pharmaceutical education.

They said that, it was a derisive matter that without upgrading the D Pharm syllabus, the PCI was now taking steps to bring in the Pharm D course followed in countries like USA. There is no point in bringing in newer courses when proper attention is not being given to the existing ones. What is happening is that tomorrow's professionals are being taught yesterday's syllabus, sources added.

Speaking about the scrapping of the pharmacy diploma course, holding which the students were not considered as a registered pharmacist in other countries, sources said that even though the PCI had demanded the government to scrap the course, the latter was keeping quiet due to pressure from the managements of pharmacy colleges.

In countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a B Pharm is the minimum qualification to become a registered pharmacist. And it is only in India that the D Pharm holders are allowed to become pharmacists. Majority of students who opt for the diploma course are from poor families. They are opting for a diploma as the degree course is for 4 years and is expensive.