An Open Letter to Pharmacy Teachers.- Bhagwan PS

An Open Letter to Pharmacy Teachers.

Dear Respected Pharmacy teachers, 

Greetings & Good Wishes.

As we welcome a fresh batch of first-year pharmacy students, we are reminded once again of the profound responsibility placed upon us—not merely to teach subjects, but to shape young minds into competent, ethical, and dependable professionals of tomorrow.

Students in their journey look to us for guidance, not only in academics but also in conduct, values, and professional discipline.

In this journey, our role is more than just delivering lectures; it is about moulding personalities, instilling confidence, and nurturing integrity.

At this stage, I would like to share a few of my thoughts, if you don't mind.

Let us look into needs:

1. Strong Foundations

2. Learning with relevance

3. Discipline and Professional Identity

4. Shaping Attitude Along with 

     Knowledge

5.  Guidance through Challenges

6.  Nurturing Curiosity and Integrity

7.  Be Mentors, Not Just Examiners

8.  Collaborating with community  

Let us avoid encouraging shortcut learning. Insist that students read standard reference books, prepare their own notes, and develop the habit of thinking critically. Quick-fix guides do not build professionals. Let us ensure the foundation we lay is strong and lasting with open end to explore further. 

Subjects in pharmacy often appear abstract to new learners. It is our duty to connect theory with practice—linking anatomy to patient care, pharmaceutics to formulations, pharmacology to rational therapy, and law to professional responsibility. Let us show them the bigger picture of PharmaCare and healthcare delivery.We should never miss any opportunity to orient the issue towards practical application.

We should remind students that pharmacy is a discipline of service and responsibility. Ours is a supportive service to the Healthcare. Healthcare is a team work where Clinician is the Team head or Team leader. Egoistic thoughts and attitude are poisons to the Profession and should be discouraged.

We should impress upon students that the dress code, punctuality, and respect for institutions should not be seen as restrictions but as badges of identity and dignity. We, as teachers, must model this discipline ourselves.

Let us impress upon students that the Marks though are necessary as a scale of achievement, It alone will not make them professionals. A professional should have responsible attitude, humility to learn, and respect for doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff.

Students will face confusion, pressure, and fear of failure. Instead of judging them harshly, we should guide them patiently, show them learning techniques, and encourage perseverance. 

Every doubt clarified and every fear addressed adds strength to their professional journey.

Communication is the working tool of Pharmacists. Verbal communication, Written short and long narrative communications have to be given as exercise to practice.  Let us encourage students to ask questions, debate ideas, and learn from mistakes. Honest inquiry should be welcomed, not discouraged. At the same time, let us stress the values of academic integrity—discouraging malpractice, plagiarism, and unethical shortcuts.

Students remember not the marks we gave, but they do remember our encouragement, advice and inspiration. Our mentorship will stay with them throughout their lives.

We should help students communicate their role as future pharmacists to their families and community. Positive attitude in explaining our role as a supportive Healthcare  team member enhances respect and status. 

Dear Colleagues,

Let us take pride in moulding these young learners into trustworthy professionals who will stand before society with competence and integrity. 

If we give our best with honesty and dedication, our students will carry forward our legacy in the noble profession of pharmacy.

Good luck and good wishes

With Kind regards

Attn: #IPCA, #IPA, #APTI,#IPGA, #PCI,#REGULATORIES,.Dear leaders,Please read your vision, mission statements and objectives of the Associations you are heading and objective of the Act under which you are appointed.Quit the leadership if you have any personal agenda to achieve for enjoyment.- Bhagwan PS (Negative Extreme)

Attn: #IPCA, #IPA, #APTI,#IPGA, #PCI,#REGULATORIES,.

Dear leaders,

Please read your vision,  mission statements and objectives of the Associations you are heading and  objective of the Act under which you are appointed.

Quit the leadership if you have any personal agenda to achieve for enjoyment.

I am finding your discomfort very conspicuous to support and associate with struggling Pharmacists.

You are very well aware that the Pharmacy Act and Drugs&Cosmetics Act are hurdles to the growth of the Pharmacy profession restricts only to dispense across the counter.

Yet, it has never occurred to you propose for necessary Amendments to ensure fulfledged professional service to the public and HealthCare system or propose for a separate Legislation to bring out 'Pharmacy Practice Act & Rules' 

Even Doctors and advocates get down to streets when they find some injustice to them happening.

But you leaders in Ivory towers are so indifferent  and cleverly deaf&dumb to react even when a heavy hammer falls on common pharmacist.

Your ceremonial  presence is well registered in all celebrations and 5 star meetings and you never miss  photo opportunities.

At the same time your absence physically and even morally is conspicuous when pharmacists are struggling for survival, against onslaught of law, against support being given by PCI and DcDs to licensees to violate the law.

99.9% of the pharmacists in and out of India have neither trust nor faith on your Associations and our Councils

These (your)  registered bodies have become a lucrative domain for a few to enjoy the luxury by organizing Bakwas meets.

Pharmacy teachers have no trust on APTI as APTI has betrayed the teachers and majority of them are underpaid with no respect and service security,

Pharmacy Graduates are disgusted with quality of education as they are not getting job worthy professionals.

Well,  Please introspect and come out of your cool Comfort zones to chalk out a common good roadmap to save the pharmacy profession which you have made a sinking ship loaded with millions of labelled pharmacists, Lest, common pharmacists will make you tumble down from your #IvoryTower.

Dear Respectable and knowledgeable CDSCO,- Bhagwan PS (Sarcasm)

Dear Respectable and knowledgeable  CDSCO,

I appreciate the very novel professional exemplary decisions you have been taking.

I think you have missed the fact or your medical and administrators have failed to notice that Sch K amendment, Chemist to Pharmacy amendment, Brand and Generic Sale merging amendment without ensuring Pharmacists presence etc terminal switche at:WERE NOT AT ALL REQUIRED 😄.- An unnecessary exercise!

If you think and apply your wisdom you will notice one #MainSwitch that can be operated instead of terminal switches to achieve your noble goal.

With that switch you will be doing the great service to the public and perhaps would be appreciated personally by Sri Modiji too🎉.

That #MainSwitch is.....?

- A simple amendment to Drugs & Cosmetics Act to delete  #PharmacistRequirement for Retail & Wholesale Drug Trade License.

CDSCO should Recommend to delete the Requirement of the "PHARMACIST" for Pharmacy license both in Government and Private sectors.

Thus, with One stroke you will:

a. Delete Sch K. wrt Pharmacists.

b. Deletes Corruption factor at:

i.  licensing and Inspection level.

ii  Pharmacy college sanctioning and Seats approval level

iii. Pharmacy Colleges inspection and Renewal level.

c.  Removes the agony of Pharmacists at the hands of State Councils for Registration, Renewal etc..

Further, you will be helping millions of 10+ and 10+2 students to chose better course and career.

Thank you,

Regards.

Pov: Bhagwan PS

An Open letter to 1st yr Pharmacy students.Dear Students,

An Open letter to 1st yr Pharmacy students.

Dear Students,

I welcome you to this new chapter of your life. Stepping into a professional course is an important milestone, and it is natural to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

At this stage, I want to share something simple but essential:

success in your journey here does not come from shortcuts, nor does it come from being overly anxious about the future. It comes from honest and dedicated study, day by day, step by step.

Strictly avoid shortcut books like Guides, Q&A booklets. They are like junk fast-foods giving immediat taste but fail to provide strong foundation for the future. Read reference books and prepare your own notes.

Every profession demands a foundation of discipline, and pharmacy is no exception. Good professional career cannot be built on poor quality foundation.

The subjects you will study may sometimes feel heavy or even distant from immediate application. But as you move forward, you will realize that each piece of knowledge—whether in anatomy, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, or law—connects to the bigger picture of patient care and responsible Pharmacare practice.

Challenges cannot be wished away, Accept them Exams may feel tough, concepts may sometimes appear confusing, and the workload may seem demanding. But remember—these are not barriers meant to block you; they are tests that shape you for a good professional career. If you face them with sincerity, you will emerge stronger and more capable professional.

A good, respectable professional life is built on the values of integrity, responsibility, and perseverance. Your learning here is not just about marks; it is about preparing yourself to stand confidently before patients, society, and the healthcare system as a Trustworthy professional.

Never forget your dress code. Its your companion through out your life. Its your identity and be proud to wear it at all workplace.

So, Attend to your studies with seriousness without fear, Seek clarity, ask questions, and never hesitate to learn from teachers, peers, or even from mistakes.

Balance your academics with healthy habits and positive friendships.

If you give your best with honesty and dedication, your future will take care of itself. Let your years here be a time of growth, curiosity, and preparation for a meaningful professional career.

Explain to your parents your profession and be a healthCare partner to your family.

Respect Healthcare institutions, Doctors, Nurses and all staff therein.

Avoid egoistic attitude.

Good luck & Good Wishes 👍

Pov: Bhagwan PS

#Pharmacist - Kaha ka? - Neither for Industry nor for Healthcare

#Pharmacist - Kaha ka?

    - Neither for Industry nor for Healthcare

Pharmacists in India face a stark reality: 

There is no exclusivity for them in pharmaceutical industry, R&D, or marketing. Except Diploma Pharmacists graduates and even Clinical Pharmacists with PharmD have no slots to serve in Healthcare

Then, what for these courses are conducted to ruin the life of young aspiring Pharmacists?

 With thousands of colleges producing an overwhelming number of graduates each year, industry is not a viable source of employment.

Shockingly, the IPC which is a conglomeration of IPA, IGPA, APTI, IHPA and PCI has never considered this issue to evolve a solution, inspite of repeatedly voicing the need. 

Irony is IPC wants huge number of Pharmacists from various streams to attend and participate in various activities! but seldom addresses their issues since 1968.

Adding to this crisis are restrictions in our very laws:

Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 does not grant pharmacists exclusive rights in manufacturing, R&D, or marketing; wholesale drug licenses can go to non-pharmacists; even in retail, ownership lies with anyone, with pharmacists reduced to mere signatories. Clinical roles such as counseling or therapy monitoring are not mandated at all.

Pharmacy Act, 1948 is confined largely to registration. Unlike doctors or nurses, pharmacists have no statutory role in patient care. Dispensing is mandatory only on paper—weak enforcement allows rampant proxy practice. Education provisions remain outdated, failing to orient graduates to healthcare needs.

This legal framework leaves them in “Na ghar ka, na ghat ka”—neither industry-recognized nor healthcare-anchored. Yet authorities, academicians, and faculty remain indifferent, even as NAAC delists pharmacy from Health Sciences.

The way forward lies in restructuring. We need intellectually smart teachers to shape smart pharmacists. 

Healthcare is the only sector with infinite potential to absorb all category of Pharmacists —from dispensing to logistics to clinical pharmacy which all together is PharmaCare support to healthCare.

Every hospital unit requires at least one clinical pharmacist and one or two chief pharmacists, besides diploma pharmacists. To make this a reality, pharmacy must be firmly recognized as a Health Science, with education restructured to produce competent professionals.

Since PCI has taken up the task of Updating the B. Pharm Curriculum it should seriously consider to incorporate all activities required to support HealthCare under PharmaCare.

Further, the Profession needs a Supportive laws. Hence, a separate law "#PharmacyPracticeRegulationAct should be legislated that empowers  the Pharmacist with due Accountability. This will eradicate the menace of Certificate renting, Absentee Pharmacist, Corruption arising out of this violation. 

#PCI

#APTI

#IPA

#IPC2025

#Pharmacist 

#Industry 

#Healthcare

POV: Bhagwan PS

One Syllabus One Book For All Courses

#OneSyllabusOneBookForAllCourses

I came across some advertisement of Books on Anatomy, Physiology, Jurisprudence, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology etc claiming that it is for D Pharm and B Pharm. As we go through the syllabus we find the same content.

Does this mean both study the same, Knowledge is same, depth is same?

                          ***

A “One Book for All” approach though is convenient to the Author and gets better sales is usually oversimplified marketing—helpful for surface-level basics, but insufficient for B Pharm-level depth.

It is high dose to D Pharm and sub-dose to B Pharm.

Ideally, separate standard textbooks (or at least editions with differentiated depth) are needed

Pov: Bhagwan PS

VisionOfTheIndianPPRAct- Bhagwan PS

#MyVisionOfTheIndianPPRAct

Given the persistent failure of institutions and systems to provide fair, deserved opportunities to qualified pharmacists, an exclusive legislation with clear empowerment and accountability has become essential.

The Pharmacy Practice Regulations (PPR) Act is envisioned as the legal and professional backbone for safe, effective, and ethical pharmaceutical care in India. It will authorize pharmacists as direct patient care providers, backed by professional accountability, standard operating procedures, and defined service delivery models—integrating them seamlessly into the healthcare continuum.

Under the PharmaCare Clinical Support System, the Act applies across all professional tiers—D Pharm, B Pharm, M Pharm, and PharmD—with structured, competency-based roles:

1. #DiplomaInPharmacy (D Pharm):

Frontline dispensers and community care providers. Trained in medication handling, prescription verification, OTC guidance, and basic counselling. Accountable for legal dispensing, adverse event reporting, and prescription record maintenance.

2. #BachelorOfPharmacy (B Pharm):

Advanced technical and operational support. Skilled in dosage form optimisation, supply chain integrity, pharmacovigilance, and rational drug use promotion. Authorized to conduct prescription audits, assist in therapeutic substitutions under protocol, and support primary care clinics in medication therapy management.

3. #MasterOfPharmacy (M Pharm – Pharmacy Practice / Clinical / Hospital Pharmacy):

Specialised medication experts in clinical decision support, formulary management, and interprofessional collaboration. Lead quality improvement programs, train juniors, develop evidence-based protocols, and support health technology assessment initiatives.

4. #DoctorOfPharmacy (PharmD):

Apex patient-care pharmacists integrated into clinical teams. Conduct medication histories, identify and resolve drug-related problems, perform therapeutic drug monitoring, and provide evidence-based therapy recommendations. Drive clinical governance, patient safety initiatives, and pharmacare research.

The #PPRAct’s PharmaCare model creates a continuous patient-care chain where each cadre complements the next—ensuring medication use is safe, effective, and cost-efficient. It mandates standardised documentation, ICT-enabled monitoring, and continuous professional development to maintain competence.

Ultimately, the Act positions pharmacists as indispensable members of healthcare teams—bridging the gap between prescription and patient outcomes, reducing medication errors, and improving public health metrics. It shifts pharmacy practice from a supply-driven role to a patient-centred, outcome-oriented healthcare service—securing the pharmacist’s place as a critical partner in India’s healthcare service system.

Pov: Bhagwan PS

#PharmacyPracticeRegulationAct is in the urgent need to support the collapsing #PharmacyProfession.

#PharmacyPracticeRegulationAct is in the urgent need to support the collapsing #PharmacyProfession.

POV: Bhagwan PS

Drugs Law &Pharmacy Law are the main bottleneck preventing Pharmacists from delivering professional service..#DrugsRegulatory, #PCI, #APTI

Drugs Law &Pharmacy Law are the main bottleneck preventing Pharmacists from delivering  professional service..

#DrugsRegulatory, #PCI, #APTI

POV: Bhagwan PS

the right value is given only in the right place. If you are not valued, it doesn’t mean you are worthless — it only means you are standing in the wrong place.

Dear PharmDs, 

Let me tell you a short story.

An aged father once told his daughter: “I have nothing to give you except the old car standing outside. Before selling it, take it to different places and see how much people value it.”

The daughter took the car first to a dealer — he said it was too old, worth very little. Then to a shopkeeper — he offered a little more, just out of kindness. Finally, she showed it to a museum. The curator exclaimed, “This is a rare classic, priceless! We will pay you a fortune.”

The father then said, “My child, the right value is given only in the right place. If you are not valued, it doesn’t mean you are worthless — it only means you are standing in the wrong place.”

Friends, this is exactly the condition of our young pharmacists today. Many feel undervalued and frustrated. In some hospitals, they are treated merely as dispensers. In others, a little better as support staff. 

But when the system understands your expertise in medicines, patient safety, and therapy optimization — will be recognized as an  indispensable member of the healthcare team.

Now, the good news is that 'The All India PharmDs Association® (AIPDA) is bringing on the cards the PharmaCare Clinical Support System — a platform to approach Government of India with a well planed presentation and a Memorandum and to request to start 'Pharmacare Clinical Clinical support' department' in selected hospitals as a Pilot Project where pharmacists where your skills in drug information, evidence-based support, and clinical care will be recognized as essential for better patient outcomes.

Friends, the message is clear:

👉 Our value does not diminish because someone fails to recognize it.

👉 It is our responsibility to give moral push to our students, our young professionals, to move towards the right platforms, to innovate, to prepare, and to be part of systems like PharmaCare where their true worth will shine.

Let us not lament. Let us stand united and strengthen the AIPDA to negotiate intellectually with the Government to make 'Pharmacare' concept a reality.

Join AIPDA today!

Thank you.

POV: Bhagwan PS