I think this should be done : " A bridge course for connecting Pharm D and MBBS". This shall allow to produce talents and experts who have amalgamated, comprehensive knowledge of all the 3 most important aspects of healthcare which are medicine( for diagnosis of disease), pharmacy( for authentic knowledge of medications for prescription writing) and surgery (of course for operations). This has to definitely improve and enhance quality of patient-care manyfolds . Why we shall always follow USA or western setups of education and service systems? They are good no doubt, as they are rich countries with large budgets for healthcare; but sometimes we must take initiatives and become leaders and provide path-breaking or a new-path setting grounds for others to follow.
Therefore I wrote a mail to secretory of MCI (secretary@mciindia.org), requesting for the same. It goes as follows:
Therefore I wrote a mail to secretory of MCI (secretary@mciindia.org), requesting for the same. It goes as follows:
Respected Sir/Madam,
I
am currently pursuing 2nd year of PharmD (Post baccalaureate), which is
a relatively a new curriculum started by PCI since 2008 and which is
clinically oriented pharmacy. Up till now pharmacy in India was industry
oriented i.e. pharmacist was more into manufacturing,sales,research of
discovery of novel molecules and invention of formulations etc.But now
with the advent of PharmD, it has become clinically oriented i.e. now a
pharmacist is given an opportunity, allowed and equipped to play a role
in direct patient care, giving pharmaceutical care.
Madam, PharmD syllabus framed by PCI contains many pharmacy related subjects along with the subjects which are present in common in both MBBS and PharmD curriculum, i.e. subjects like anatomy and physiology (a lot lesser of it is there in PharmD), Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Biopharmaceutics (a lot more of it is there in PharmD).
Madam, I have a great respect for MBBS course and for physicians and surgeons. And I am currently 29 year old man. This is to ask you whether its feasible/ possible that a new course/curriculum may be framed and started by MCI within two to three years, which can bridge this gap between PharmD and MBBS.That is, a bridge-course(of 3years duration) which shall allow a PharmD graduate to be certified as MBBS,upon successfully completion of such a course. This may bring a new input, perspective and vision in patient care, to MBBS/physician as well as provide an opportunity, encourage, help fulfil dreams and strong aspirations of human beings like me, who wish to study such a curriculum, get a medical license, be a physician and earnestly want to play that very role in the healthcare system, at this stage and age of our lives.
May all this come into effect for the 2014-2015 session.
Madam, PharmD syllabus framed by PCI contains many pharmacy related subjects along with the subjects which are present in common in both MBBS and PharmD curriculum, i.e. subjects like anatomy and physiology (a lot lesser of it is there in PharmD), Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Biopharmaceutics (a lot more of it is there in PharmD).
Madam, I have a great respect for MBBS course and for physicians and surgeons. And I am currently 29 year old man. This is to ask you whether its feasible/ possible that a new course/curriculum may be framed and started by MCI within two to three years, which can bridge this gap between PharmD and MBBS.That is, a bridge-course(of 3years duration) which shall allow a PharmD graduate to be certified as MBBS,upon successfully completion of such a course. This may bring a new input, perspective and vision in patient care, to MBBS/physician as well as provide an opportunity, encourage, help fulfil dreams and strong aspirations of human beings like me, who wish to study such a curriculum, get a medical license, be a physician and earnestly want to play that very role in the healthcare system, at this stage and age of our lives.
May all this come into effect for the 2014-2015 session.
Hoping for an encouraging, enlightening and positive reply on this request from you.
Yours truly,
Samrat Paul
Pharmacist A HealthCare professional? If so why pharmacy course is not?.
Has the Pharmacy education been got included in National Health Education Manual?Yes, Pharmacy is included in the national health education framework in India, particularly through the initiatives of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and its alignment with national health policies.
Key details regarding the inclusion of pharmacy in national health education include:
- Revised Curriculum: The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) and Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) curricula are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on integrating pharmaceutical sciences with healthcare demands.
- Public Health Roles: Pharmacists are recognized for their role in National Health Programs (NHPs) such as HIV/AIDS awareness, tobacco control, and tuberculosis control (RNTCP).
- Competency-Based Training: The Education Regulations 2020 for the D. Pharm course (approved by the PCI) focus on professional training, and the PCI has implemented an Exit Examination to ensure standard quality among graduates.
- Patient Counseling: The curriculum emphasizes "Health Education and Community Pharmacy," aiming to educate students on public health, patient counseling, and medication safety.
In addition, pharmacists are considered vital members of the healthcare team, and their role is increasingly recognized within the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for health facilities.
When pharmacy is included in national health education manual ?
Key developments in the inclusion and evolution of pharmacy in national education include:
- 1948 (Pharmacy Act): Established to regulate the profession and education, creating the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
- Pharm.D. Regulations 2008: Introduced a six-year Pharm.D. program to integrate clinical pharmacy into healthcare.
- Education Regulation 2020: Updated the diploma course curriculum (ER-2020) and mandated specific staff-to-student ratios for B.Pharm and D.Pharm courses.
- NEP 2020 Alignment: The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) curriculum is currently designed in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to focus on outcomes-based education.
Social Pharmacy was notably introduced into the D.Pharm Part-I syllabus, aligning pharmacy education with public health needs.
Pharmacy is officially included in Indian national health education, curriculum, and public health standards through the Pharmacy Act of 1948, which established the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to regulate the profession.
Key milestones for the inclusion of pharmacy in national health education and guidelines include:
- 1948 (Pharmacy Act): Set the first minimum standard of educational qualification for pharmacy practice.
- 2007/2012 (Indian Public Health Standards - IPHS): Pharmacy services were integrated into public health facilities (PHCs, CHCs, etc.), establishing the role of pharmacists in the national health delivery system.
- Education Regulation (ER) 2020/2021: Updated by the PCI to align with modern educational standards, specifically for diploma courses and, more recently, aligning B.Pharm curricula with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to focus on health, industry, and technology.
- National Health Policy 2017: Emphasized the strengthening of the health system by 2020–2025, which includes the integration of pharmacists in primary care.
Contextual Inclusion:
Pharmacy studies in India, such as B.Pharm and D.Pharm, include comprehensive curricula on health education, community pharmacy, and national health programs. Furthermore, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has recommended the inclusion of specialized "Pharmaceuticals" sub-chapters in national policies to address pharmacists' roles in drug regulation and quality control.
Pharmacy studies in India, such as B.Pharm and D.Pharm, include comprehensive curricula on health education, community pharmacy, and national health programs. Furthermore, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has recommended the inclusion of specialized "Pharmaceuticals" sub-chapters in national policies to address pharmacists' roles in drug regulation and quality control.
Pharmacy was formally and legally included as a regulated profession in India through the Pharmacy Act of 1948, which established the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to set minimum educational qualifications for pharmacy practice. While pharmacy education existed earlier, the 1948 Act provided the foundation for incorporating pharmacy into national health education and services.
Key milestones for the inclusion of pharmacy in national education and public health include:
- 1948 – The Pharmacy Act: The primary legislation that established minimum standards of education, formalizing the training required for pharmacy practice.
- 1991 – Revision of D.Pharm Syllabus: The Education Regulations (ER) framed in 1991 standardizes the Diploma in Pharmacy curriculum nationwide.
- 1996–1997 – Clinical Pharmacy Introduction: M.Pharm programs in pharmacy practice were introduced at JSS College of Pharmacy to shift focus from product to patient-centered services.
- 2008 – Introduction of Pharm.D: The 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program was introduced, marking a significant, formal integration of pharmacists into clinical settings and patient care.
- 2020 – National Education Policy (NEP) & ER-2020: Pharmacy education has been updated to align with the NEP 2020, focusing on skill-based learning. Furthermore, the D.Pharm Education Regulations 2020 (ER-2020) replaced the 1991 syllabus to align with modern community pharmacy practice.
Key Inclusion in Health Education and Public Health:
- Health Education and Community Pharmacy: This subject was integrated into the diploma curriculum, focusing on education in nutrition, family planning, and communicable diseases.
- National Health Programs (NHPs): Recently, pharmacists are formally being included in national initiatives, such as the National Health Mission (NHM) and the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), strengthening their role in community health.
