The candidates holding Pharm. D qualification from an approved institution will be eligible for teaching in pharmacy institutions in the country as the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has approved Pharm. D qualification from an approved institution for teaching D. Pharm, B. Pharm, M. Pharm and Pharm. D/Pharm. D (Post Baccalaureate) courses.

“Pharm. D qualification from an institution approved by the PCI u/s 12 of the Pharmacy Act 1948 is an approved qualification for teaching D. Pharm, B. Pharm, M. Pharm and Pharm. D/Pharm. D (Post Baccalaureate) courses. As such a candidate holding Pharm. D qualification from an institution approved by the PCI u/s 12 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 shall be eligible for consideration for teaching posts at appropriate level in pharmacy institutions,” PCI registrar-cum-secretary Archna Mudgal said.

Earlier, way back in 2007, the PCI in a landmark decision had decided to introduce Pharm. D and Pharm. D (Post Bacclaureate) courses for the first time in the country which will prove to open up a plethora of opportunities for the Indian pharmacy students in the domestic and international arena. The PCI, under vide notification published in Gazette of India, Part-III, Section-4, No. 19, May 10- May 16, 2008, had also introduced Pharm. D qualification as a registrable qualification under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

At present, more than 85 pharmacy colleges in the country, most of them in the threes southern states of Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, are offering Pharm. D and Pharm. D (Post Bacclaureate) courses.

The duration of the Pharm. D course is six academic years (five years of study and one year of internship or residency) full time with each academic year spread over a period of not less than two hundred working days. The period of six years duration is divided into two phases – phase I – consisting of First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth academic year. Phase II – consisting of internship or residency training during sixth year involving posting in speciality units. It is a phase of training wherein a student is exposed to actual pharmacy practice or clinical pharmacy services and acquires skill under supervision so that he or she may become capable of functioning independently.

Likewise, the duration of the Pharm. D (Post Baccalaureate) course is three academic years (two years of study and one year internship or residency) full time with each academic year spread over a period of not less than two hundred working days. The period of three years duration is divided into two phases – phase I – consisting of First and Second academic year. Phase II – consisting of Internship or residency training during third year involving posting in speciality units.