As the third phase of introducing Pharm D (Doctorate in Pharmacy) course in the country, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is planning to disseminate approval for pharmacy colleges to conduct the advanced course as per the curriculum from the first week of September 2008.
The PCI will publish the inspection form for approval in its website on July 15 and the institutions have to apply for inspection by July 31. The PCI will collect all the applications filed by the institutions and will initiate inspection programme in the second week of August. The council will analyse the inspection reports in the end of August to approve the eligible institutions and the approval certificates will be distributed from the first week of September, informed B Suresh, president, PCI.
"We have received the official nod from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for initiating the course recently, as the first phase of introducing Pharm D course. The ministry has issued a notification setting rules for starting the course. The institutions can apply for the course immediately and we will conduct inspection for them from second week of August," said Suresh.
The regular panel of inspectors under PCI will be assigned for inspection of pharmacy colleges throughout the country, once the applications are received. "We expect to complete the inspection procedures by the end of August and the approvals will be distributed to eligible institutions from September," he added.
As per the norms set for Pharm D course, the institutions should have enough facilities to commence the advanced course including facilitation of clinics or hospitals for the students to complete their one year internship on actual pharmacy practice/clinical pharmacy services.
According to the notification by the government, the duration of the Pharm.D course is 6 academic years, which includes 5 years of study and 1 year internship or residency. In the one year internship, the students will be exposed to actual pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy services and acquires skill under supervision to make them capable of functioning independently. The Pharm.D (post baccalaureate) course, another course in the draft, shall be for 3 academic years including 2 years of study and 1 year internship or residency.