Karnataka has seen a sharp increase in the number of students opting for degree course in pharmacy as against the degree courses in information technology (IT). In 2002 -2003, 2368 students opted B Pharm course as against 1800 students deciding on B.Sc (IT or Computer Science). There has been an increase of 542 students taking up pharmacy degree course. The present academic year, 2003-2003, has 2368 students compared to last year's 1826 candidates which has resulted in an increase of 542 seats.

Although in 1996-1997, the total number of B Pharm admissions was 1856, there was a drastic decline in the subsequent years up till 2000-2001, because IT ruled the roost in all colleges across the state, informed sources from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). The growth of pharmacy education in the last five years is around 11.71 per cent, stated the officials.

The main reasons attributed to the rise in the number of admissions is the increasing job opportunities. There is a growing demand for pharmacy graduates and postgraduates in the US and the Middle East because of a massive shortfall of pharmacy graduates and the new openings respectively. Modernization and quality approaches are creating more and more jobs in developed countries, said Dr. R S Gaud, president Association of Pharmacy Teachers of India (APTI).

There is an awareness among the science pre-university students about the job saturation in the IT sector. As alternative knowledge-based options for degree courses, the ideal choices are pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. With Karnataka being a major location for leading multinational and national drug manufacturers, a degree or post graduation in pharmacy is considered as the best available option, said Dr. N Niranjan, deputy registrar, RGUHS.

It is estimated that in the US, 30 to 55 per cent development is based on science and technology. Newer drug molecules are coming in. Health Care Management and Patient Care have been given top priority for quality National Health.

For manpower sourcing, India is most suited and particularly Karnataka graduates who have already proved their mettle as doctors and IT engineers, said Prof. B G Shivanand, principal, Al Ameen College of Pharmacy.

The highest recruitment of B Pharm or M Pharm graduates are for hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy and clinical pharmacy for which they would have to appear for licentiate exams. The Research and Development labs are another major area employing pharmacy postgraduates. The reason for the demand for Indian pharmacy graduates/post graduates is their recognition for quality of skills and the advantage of English language unlike other countries. The candidates prefer to work abroad because of remuneration and exposure informed sources from placement agencies like ABC Consultants and Search House.

It has been predicted that by 2020, 80 per cent of the developing countries will emerge as strong base in "Service Industry" and pharmacy is a prime focus for qualified personnel. In this scenario, there will be continuous demand for pharmacy graduates in the West due to quality performance by Indians abroad informed Dr. Gaud.

Karnataka has 43 pharmacy colleges registered under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. Thirteen out of the 43 colleges offering B Pharma conduct post graduation in pharmacy with specialisations in pharma marketing, hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, formulation development of new molecules, biotechnology and gene therapy.

Karnataka pharmacy graduates are recognized for their quality of education and the exposure to working in the industry. The present syllabus has helped students find jobs easily in the drugs controller department, industry and academia. But the revised syllabus which is more job-oriented focuses on community pharmacy, marketing, clinical pharmacy and gene therapy is expected to give a further impetus to secure jobs in the industry, research labs and hospitals, said Prof. M Lakshmana, principal, Government College of Pharmacy and former dean of faculty at the RGHUS.