Since the conventional universities in the country are against starting the bridge course B. Pharm Practice introduced by the Pharmacy Council of India to upgrade the qualification of working pharmacists, the PCI could not process 30 out of 50 applications it received from various colleges expressing their interest to commence the course.

Whereas, it could complete the process of application verifications and the follow up inspections at the institutions in 20 colleges which have already got consent form universities to which they are affiliated to, said Dr. B. Suresh, president of PCI.

He said the bridge course has not so far started in any institution in the country. PCI will show the green signal to the colleges to go ahead with the course after endorsement of the inspection report by the executive committee next month. It is expected that 20 pharmacy colleges from various states are eligible to start the course in the beginning.

Meanwhile diverse comments are coming from academicians and pharmacist associations. Dr S B Bhise, principal of LNBC College of Pharmacy, Raigaon in Satara in Maharashtra, said now a days every university is trying for credit based courses in order to increase portability of various courses so that other universities will recognize the credit. So, PCI has to assign credits to the courses included in bridge courses and request all Indian universities to accept these credits as part of B Pharm pharmacy practice course. That will address the concerns of all universities in India.

A pharmacy PG Holder from an institute in Chengalpattu near Chennai has criticized the course by commenting that the ultimate goal of the PCI by introducing the course is business motive and not professional. The D Pharm holders are not working in any medical shop, but signs an agreement with the shop owner after giving his/her certificate. If the PCI starts the bridge course through institutions, these diploma holders will not attend the classes regularly. The course will not bring the desired result. He said instead of introducing the bridge course, the PCI must take steps to abolish the diploma course in pharmacy.

Supporting the PCI move, Dr. Atmaram Pawar head of department of pharmacy at the Pune Pharmacy College in Maharashtra, said the course is highly needed today as many Diploma pharmacy holders have to upgrade their knowledge and qualification.