Rakesh Patel
Pharmacy education introduced in India in 1937 by Prof MM Malaviya and Prof ML Schroff in BHU has undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades but yet nowhere near the international standards. In India, the profession of pharmacy is still in its developing stages and is yet to bloom to its fullest extent. It covers opportunities in pharmaceutical industry – research & development, manufacturing & retail, healthcare sector, pharmacy education, and regulatory bodies. The current availability of pharmacists in terms of pharmacist to population ratio compares favourably with that in developed country. However, the number of registered pharmacists does not reflect the actual number of pharmacists currently involved in pharmacy practice. Pharmacy education in India is largely industry oriented. Indian pharmaceutical industry with its tremendous growth capacity has several job opportunities. However, the graduates who pass out do not get employment easily due to their poor training, lack of in depth knowledge of fundamental concepts and practical skills. The quality of training provided during their education is inadequate. They require on job training of 6-18 months before they can match the requirements of the industry. The role of Pharmacist is highly significant in the sustainable growth and health care system of the country. Here the pharmacist performs a job of a drug seller and does not practice the profession independently and depends on a doctor who is the decision maker. To cater to these needs presently, B. Pharm. & M. Pharm. is available and D. Pharm. being the minimum need. The community expects more professional services from pharmacists and not as just drug sellers. The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) defines Pharmacy as a profession which is concerned with the art and science of preparing from natural and synthetic sources, suitable and convenient materials for distribution and use in the treatment and prevention of disease. It embraces knowledge of the identification, preservation, combination, analysis and standardization of drugs and medicines besides synthesis of new drug molecules, manufacturing of various dosage forms. All the operations in the profession of pharmacy, may it be industry, community or hospital have the lives of patients at the receiving end. Hence quality and excellence are of paramount in this profession. The course content of diploma or degree programmed provided in the country still does not cater to the above requirement. Very few institutes are providing such training where the pharmacist becomes directly involved in providing health care to the patients.
