The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has received a total of 46 applications for the Pharm D (Doctorate in Pharmacy) course which is being introduced in the country from this academic year. Andhra Pradesh tops the list with as many as 15 applications to start this advanced course which will bring the pharmacists of the country on par with international standards.

Out of the 46 applications, the PCI has rejected 6 applications due to non-fulfilment of required criteria to qualify to commence this advanced course. As per the norms, the pharmacy colleges which have come out with its first batch of B Pharm will be qualified to start the Pharm D course. Of the remaining 40 colleges, there are shortcomings in 6 applications and the PCI has asked these colleges to rectify the shortcomings fast so as to accord green signal to commence Pharm D before the last date for the same is over.

PCI president Dr B Suresh said that the PCI has already started the physical inspection of the remaining colleges to verify whether these colleges fulfil the norms set by the PCI. The inspection process will be over by August 24 and the inspection report will be submitted to the executive committee meeting of the PCI scheduled for August 24. The central committee of the PCI will take the final decision on these applications on August 25.

The second position in the number of applications to start Pharm D is from Karnataka which has sent 11 applications to the PCI. The PCI has received 8 applications from Tamil Nadu and one each from Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The PCI has started inspection on all these colleges.

Major prerequisites for starting the Pharm D course included proper teaching and building infrastructure, tie-up with any 300-bedded hospital or own hospital and prior permission from PCI. Plus 2 students with science as main subject are eligible to join this course which will open up new vistas for the students as the course will have validity all over the world including advanced countries like US, UK, etc. For the students who have already completed B Pharm course can join the Pharm.D (post baccalaureate) course. The duration of the Pharm.D course will be for 6 academic years (5 years of study and 1 year internship/residency). In the one year internship, a student is exposed to actual pharmacy practice/clinical pharmacy services and acquires skill under supervision so that he/she may become capable of functioning independently.