The amendment to the Pharmacy Act 1948 being worked out by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) would propose the co-existence of both diploma and degree programmes in pharmacy with an option for the diploma holders to upgrade themselves to the graduate level.
Allaying the fears of thousands of diploma holders in pharmacy (Dpharm) and institutions offering diplomas in pharmacy, Dr B Suresh, president, Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), said that there was no move to propose scrapping diploma programme altogether.
However, the amendment would make graduation (B Pharm) the minimum required qualification for practicing pharmacist. While the diploma holders will be given an option to upgrade their qualification by participating in a specially designed programme, the diploma holder per se would be allowed only to assist the licensed practitioner (Bpharm holder).
Delivering the B V Patel Memorial Lecture at the 56th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress in Kolkata, on the theme "Pharmacists in Healthcare System - challenges and opportunities," Dr Suresh informed that the amendment would aim at bringing about national standards for pharmacy education and national competency for pharmacists in the country. He considered this as the first step towards integrating Indian pharmacy profession with its international counterparts. "The harmonization of pharmacy professional at a global level is fast becoming a necessity. The changes in the Pharmacy Act should be aimed at uplifting the standards of pharmacy profession," he stressed.
According to Dr Suresh, the amendment would enable PCI to regulate pharmacy profession throughout the country in a uniform manner. It will infuse quality into the profession by making graduation the minimum qualification required for practicing the profession. The amendment is also to bring in more dignity to the profession as it would define Pharmacy profession as a "practicing profession".
Highlighting the importance of clinical pharmacy courses, Dr Suresh said that the colleges offering such programmes were mostly concentrated in the southern parts of the country. "NIPER is the only government institution that offers courses in pharmacy practice. There should be more such institutions," he opined.
As pharmabiz had reported earlier, the amendment is to turn community pharmacist more responsible and accountable. The PCI proposal is to see that the pharmacist was answerable for any wrong dispensation of drugs. The council will also ensure that the practicing pharmacist is updating himself with latest knowledge by making participation in continuing education programmes mandatory for renewal of registration.
As per the clauses being incorporated in the draft Pharmacy Act, every pharmacist will have to undergo at least two continuing education programmes every five years for qualifying himself to continue his practice. Apart from PCI sponsored-programmes, all pharmacy education institutions in the country will be asked to conduct continuing education programmes for the benefit of local practicing pharmacist.