In yet another manifestation of dual authority adversely affecting the pharma education in the country, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has clarified that it will not approve the 5-½ year integrated course in Pharmacy being introduced by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Cautioning the pharmacy colleges in the country against starting 5-½ year integrated pharmacy course announced by the AICTE recently, PCI said that it will approve only three courses for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. They are D. Pharm (2 years & 500 hours practical training course), B. Pharm (4 years course) and Pharm. D (6 years course).

As per the AICTE notification dated February 05, 2012, AICTE will give approval for starting five and half year integrating course comprising four years bachelor degree (Engineering/Pharmacy/HMCT) and Master of Management (in the respective discipline) and six months internship after completing the course in this academic year 2012-2013.

The PCI has clarified that it does not approve the five and half year integrated courses announced by the AICTE in the country. Meanwhile PCI is cautioning aspiring pharma students against being carried away by the AICTE's announcement. PCI further clarified that any pharmacy course studied/undergone/conducted otherwise than in accordance with PCI regulations shall not be treated as an approved course for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Contradicting the AICTE's approval, the PCI stated that the pharmacy education in the country is regulated by it by ensuring uniform implementation of the educational standards throughout the country and by approving the courses of study and examination for qualifying for registration as a pharmacist i.e. approval of the academic training pharmacy institutions providing pharmacy courses.

This is not the first time that these two regulatory bodies are fighting for supremacy in matters related to pharmacy education. Some time ago, the PCI had announced that it will not approve several provisions announced by the AICTE regarding the pharmacy courses in the country. “Some of the provisions made by AICTE in their Approval Process Handbook 2012-2013 relating to pharmacy course are contrary to the provisions of ER- 91 and are not acceptable to PCI,” the PCI had clarified.