Pharmacy education in India has undergone significant changes in the last couple of decades.
India has the unique distinction that the first Pharmacy College in Asia was started in Goa – India, in the 1842, by the Portuguese. In 1932, Prof. Mahadev Lal Schroff (called as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India) started a Pharmacy college/department at the Banaras Hindu University. Since then, picture has changed drastically, and in the last couple of decades, we have seen a tremendous rise in the number of Pharmacy colleges spread across the country, considering the huge demand for the same.
The Pharmacy council of India has given out an advisory to all students aspiring to pursue any course in Pharmacy for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, that they should first ensure that the particular institution which they intend to join has been recognized/approved by the pharmacy council of India for the conduct of the course of study (approved u/s 12 of pharmacy Act, 1948).
Pharmacy education includes a bled of theory and practical classes and examinations, beside including or hospital/community training of varying periods depending on the course selected.
Formal pharmacy education began even prior to Independence. Soon after Independence, the Pharmacy Act, 1948 was enacted to regulate the profession of pharmacy.
The pharmacy Diplomas (D.Pharm) are awarded by various Boards of Technical Education, controlled by the State Governments. The details of the curriculum and evaluation are giving by the PCI(Pharmacy Council of India).
The B.Pharm and M.Pharm education is under direct control of the different Universities. The respective Universities decide the details of the curriculum and evaluation. The degrees are awarded by the Universities. The AICET (All India Council of Technical Education) lays down various guidelines and curriculum outline to conduct the degrees. Innovative is top PCI approved B pharm colleges in Delhi NCR.
In many states, separate health Universities are established and Pharmacy Education is directly under the control of these Universities. Besides UGC (which indirectly regulates pharmacy education), pharmacy education in India is mainly regulated by two statutory bodies:
D.Pharm: A person who has completed D.Pharm can be employed as a Registered Pharmacist in a community pharmacy (Medical Store/Chemists & Druggists) or a hospital pharmacy. It is the minimum qualification to practice pharmacy, therefore, it is mandatory that all dispensing of prescription medicines has to be done under the supervision of a Pharmacy only. He can also work as a medical representative & also work in an industry.
B.Pharm: As per the present curriculums in India, a B.Pharm degree mainly prepares the candidates to work in the pharmaceutical industry. The course structure of the degree includes practical training in pharmaceutical industry environment.
A pharmacist having a B.Pharm degree is also eligible to practice pharmacy in a community or hospital pharmacy.
M.Pharm: B.Pharm candidate is eligible to do M.Pharm & needs to select one of the 10 specializations. Those pursuing higher education (M.Pharm) have advantage over pharmacy graduates in R& D.
Pharm.D: Pharm.D is a six years course after 10+2 or Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) (or 3 years after B.Pharm-called as Pharm.D. Post Baccalaureate) was started in August 2008 and includes five of clinical and community- based theory, with ward rounds and one- year internship in hospitals.
| Pharm.D. | Pharm.D. (Post baccalaureate) (Interim measure till the first batch of Pharm.D comes out) |
| Register able qualification under the Pharmacy Act. | Register able qualification under the Pharmacy act. |
| Duration-6 years - 5 years study (Th+Pr). - 1 years internship in hospital |
Duracion-6 years - 2 years study (Th+Pr). - 1 years internship in hospital |
| Admission Qualification - 10+2 - D.Pharm |
Admission Qualification - B.Pharm |
Pharmacy curriculum includes a wide variety of subjects, thus reflecting its interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary fact:
In the coming years, there will be an increasing demand for qualified Pharmacists in all sectors, namely research, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, marketing, clinical, community, academics, etc. Both in our country as well as across the world.
Pharmacy is a rewarding career, in terms of personal satisfaction and financial compensation, as well as service to the people. So start planning from today.