Medical Science vs Pharmaceutical Science (Residential Program Year)

RPY: Residential Program Year

Pharmacy residency is education a pharmacist can pursue beyond the degree required for licensing as a pharmacist (in the United States of America: PharmD). A pharmacy residency program allows for the implementation of skill set and knowledge acquired in pharmacy school through interaction with the public either in a hospital setting or community practice.The program is done over a span of about two years after graduation from pharmacy school and licensure as a pharmacist. Pharmacy residency helps improve the resume of a pharmacist so as to increase chances of obtaining employment outside community practice. A 2022 review suggested that there is sufficient evidence that residency develops key competencies for junior pharmacists

In India, after completing a Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, students can pursue residency programs to specialize in clinical pharmacy or related fields, enhancing their expertise and career prospects. These programs, often lasting one to two years, provide advanced training in areas like clinical pharmacy practice, patient care, and drug information. 

Details about Pharm.D. and Residency in India:

• Pharm.D. as a Professional Qualification:

  The Pharm.D. is a professional doctorate recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). It signifies expertise in pharmacy practice and allows graduates to become licensed pharmacists. 
• Residency Programs:
• Following the Pharm.D., residency programs offer specialized training in various clinical settings, such as hospitals and clinics. 
• Focus Areas:
• Residency programs can focus on areas like:

  • Clinical Pharmacy: Providing patient-centered care, medication therapy management, and drug information services. 
  • Critical Care: Managing patients in intensive care units, focusing on advanced life support and critical care protocols. 
  • Other Specializations: Opportunities may also exist in areas like oncology, cardiology, and infectious disease, depending on the specific program and institution. 
  • Career Paths:
• Residency training can lead to various career opportunities, including:

  • Clinical Pharmacist Roles: In hospitals and other healthcare settings, directly involved in patient care. 
  • Medical Affairs: Bridging the gap between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals, providing scientific expertise and support. 
  • Research: Participating in clinical trials and research activities.   
  •  Duration:Residency programs typically last one to two years, depending on the specialization and institution. 
• Benefits:Residency programs offer valuable practical experience, enhance clinical skills, and improve career prospects for Pharm.D. graduates. 

Residency Medicine

Residency or postgraduate training is a stage of graduate medical education. It refers to a qualified physician (one who holds the degree of MD, DO, MBBS/MBChB), veterinarian (DVM/VMD, BVSc/BVMS), dentist (DDS or DMD), podiatrist (DPM), optometrist (OD), pharmacist (PharmD), or Medical Laboratory Scientist (Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science) who practices medicine or surgery, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, clinical pharmacy, or Clinical Laboratory Science, respectively, usually in a hospital or clinic, under the direct or indirect supervision of a senior medical clinician registered in that specialty such as an attending physician or consultant.

The term residency is named as such due to resident physicians (resident doctors) of the 19th century residing at the dormitories of the hospital in which they received training.^[1]

In many jurisdictions, successful completion of such training is a requirement in order to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine, and in particular a license to practice a chosen specialty. In the meantime, they practice "on" the license of their supervising physician. An individual engaged in such training may be referred to as a resident physician, house officer, registrar or trainee depending on the jurisdiction. Residency training may be followed by fellowship or sub-specialty training.^[2]

Whereas medical school teaches physicians a broad range of medical knowledge, basic clinical skills, and supervised experience practicing medicine in a variety of fields, medical residency gives in-depth training within a specific branch of medicine.

In India, medical residency, also known as postgraduate training, typically lasts for 3 years after completing the MBBS degree. It's a period of intensive clinical training in a chosen specialty, preparing doctors for independent practice. The residency program is structured with academic coursework, clinical rotations in various departments, and research components, culminating in an MD or MS degree (depending on the specialty). 

Key aspects of medical residency in India:

Duration: Generally 3 years for most specialties, but can vary. 


Eligibility: Requires completion of MBBS and passing the NEET-PG exam. 


Structure: Includes clinical rotations, academic learning (case discussions, seminars, etc.), and research. 


Focus: Hands-on clinical experience and development of practical skills under supervision. 


Outcome: Leads to an MD or MS degree in the chosen specialty and prepares doctors for independent practice. 


Supervision: Residents work under the guidance of attending physicians and consultants. 


Workload: Residents typically work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. 

So many regulatory bodies and governing bodies in pharmacy education: whims of my mind

PCI(Pharmacy Council Of India) and AICTE(All India Council for technical education) are the governing bodies in the pharmacy education , keeping in mind the compounding and dispensing as well as the technical aspects involved in Pharmaceutical Engineering .

Now with the advent of Pharm D course in pharmacy, which is clinically oriented 6 years course in pharmacy and the syllabus is designed such as  first 3 years are same as B.Pharm ( compounding and dispensing oriented) and next 2 years are same as MD Pharmacology (medically and clinically oriented) and 1 year of internship in an attached (minimum- 300 beded) hospital , one may expect MCI (medical council of India) to get into the thick of the things/matters.

As it requires an affiliation with a  hospital( minimum 300 beded), to get approval for an pharmaceutical institute from PCI to conduct the course , one must expect MCI(medical council of India)(Now NMC) also to get involved as a regulatory and governing body.

PCI governs courses like : D.Pharm
                                         B.Pharm
                                        Pharm D and Pharm D(PB)

AICTE governs courses like : B.Pharm( jointly with PCI)
                                              M.Pharm

Now one must expect AICTE,PCI and MCI may jointly govern : Pharm D and Pharm D(PB)

But no, its not a rational thinking on my part. MCI (Now NMC ) will get involve only when the course is a medical one or may be when the professional doctor is dealing with a body part.
So, its fair enough that MCI(NMC) is not involved into these matters.

                                             

Digital Prescriptions are the solution

Handwritten prescriptions in India often pose significant risks due to their potential for misinterpretation. The diverse linguistic landscape of India, with multiple languages and scripts, adds to the complexity of deciphering these prescriptions accurately. Common issues include illegible handwriting, which can lead to confusion between drugs with similar names or incorrect dosing instructions. This is particularly problematic given the wide range of medications available and the critical importance of precise dosages.

Moreover, handwritten prescriptions sometimes lack essential information such as patient history, allergies, or specific instructions for drug administration. In a healthcare environment where pharmacists play a key role in the safe dispensing of medications, these omissions can lead to serious health risks.

The situation calls for a more robust system, possibly incorporating digital prescriptions, which can ensure clarity, accuracy, and traceability. Standardizing prescription formats and embracing electronic health records could greatly mitigate the risks associated with handwritten prescriptions, leading to safer and more effective patient care in the Indian context.

Q-commerce is here to stay, retailers must upgrade themselves’, says CEO of Retailers Association of India

Q-commerce is here to stay, retailers must upgrade themselves’, says CEO of Retailers Association of India

On September 26, Madras High Court lawyer K Narasimhan alleged in his complaint to the DPIIT that e-commerce platform Flipkart is offering discounts at product level for select sellers and creating a non-competitive environment.

By  IMRAN FAZAL| Sep 27, 2024 8:44 AM

‘Q-commerce is here to stay, retailers must upgrade themselves’, says CEO of Retailers Association of India

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has referred a complaint against quick commerce companies to the CCI for further investigation.

Multiple retail trade associations and federations have written to the Indian government, expressing concerns that the growth of Q-commerce platforms is hurting their retail businesses. The Retailers Association of India (RAI) believes that instead of complaining about the rise of Q-commerce and e-commerce platforms, retailers should focus on upgrading themselves.

It's worth noting that several FMCG companies have reported strong double-digit growth in online sales through quick-commerce. According to a RedSeer report, the Q-commerce market is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2025. The contribution of quick-commerce platforms to the online grocery market is projected to increase from 10% to 45% in the coming years. In 2023, the gross merchandise value (GMV) of quick commerce in India reached $2.3 billion, showing a growth of over 70% compared to the previous year.

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‘Q-commerce is here to stay, retailers must upgrade themselves’, says CEO of Retailers Association of India

On the sidelines of the Retail Technology Conclave, ReTechCon 2024, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of the Retailers Association of India (RAI), spoke to Storyboard18 about the ongoing Q-commerce vs. Retailers conflict, which has now reached the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Addressing the allegations of unfair trade practices by Q-commerce and e-commerce platforms, Rajagopalan stated, “When it comes to unfair trade practices and allegations by retailers, we need to wait and see. The government has a mechanism to address such issues.”

Rajagopalan added, “As far as Q-commerce platforms are concerned, they are here to stay because customers are getting something they've always wanted. At RAI, we believe in creating a level playing field for all retailers, and the Indian government has already launched the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which will likely incorporate hyper-local and fast-commerce capabilities.”

He went on to say, “We are waiting for ONDC to improve further, and RAI is actively working with them. I believe that when your trusted local retailer can provide the product you want, whether online or offline, at the desired speed, small retailers will naturally thrive.”

Rajagopalan emphasized, “Our goal is to help small retailers improve their operations. As the Retailers Association, we don’t believe in halting new or innovative businesses, but we aim to ensure everyone has a level playing field.”

Recently, All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which claims to represent about 800,000 entities, expressed concerns over the rapid expansion of quick commerce platforms. They allege that these platforms create an uneven playing field, negatively impacting small retailers.

The AICPDF submitted a complaint to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, raising concerns about anti-competitive practices by quick commerce companies and calling for an investigation.

When asked about RAI's stance on this issue, Rajagopalan said, “The debate over whether retailers should be available both online and offline is now irrelevant. Customers are shopping both ways. Any retailer worth their salt must be available online and offline, which is why I support ONDC. You can’t do anything that goes against customer interests—it will backfire.”

He added, “The key is to enable everyone to do business for the customer. However, if someone is engaging in deep discounting or loss leadership practices that are anti-competitive, these should be addressed, and it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure such practices are stopped.”

“At RAI, we always emphasize a level playing field. No one should take undue advantage of the situation with unfair trade practices. At the same time, businesses should not expect things to be the same as they were a decade ago—COVID has changed all of us as consumers. Retailers must adopt new methods to upgrade themselves.”

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has referred a complaint against quick commerce companies to the CCI for further investigation.

Moreover, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged the government to suspend the 'festival sales' events of Amazon and Flipkart, as they will further harm domestic traders through the continued use of anti-competitive practices.

On September 26, Madras High Court lawyer K Narasimhan alleged in his complaint to the DPIIT that e-commerce platform Flipkart is offering discounts at product level for select sellers and creating a non-competitive environment. The letter was sent to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhalla.

CBI raids PCI President Montu Patel in bribery probe

🔎 On July 3, 2025, the CBI raided the Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar homes of PCI President Montu Kumar Patel over alleged bribery and college approval irregularities . 

💸 An FIR alleges Dr. Patel accepted bribes to approve underqualified pharmacy colleges and bypass proper inspections . 

📺 Physical inspections were scrapped in favor of quick 8‑minute online audits in 2023–24, paving the way for potential corruption .

 🏫 Investigators found “phantom colleges” in UP, MP, Gujarat & Rajasthan approved despite dilapidated infrastructure .

 🕴️ A senior CBI officer noted that “college recognitions were being sold for money under Patel’s tenure” . 

🤐 The probe uncovered fake records, back‑dated approvals, GPSC portal manipulation, and electoral sway tactics . 🧠 The investigation follows a Supreme Court critique in May over PCI’s “arbitrary” decisions—spotlighting deep governance issues . 

🧾 The CBI will likely expand the probe to cover key states like Maharashtra, targeting systemic faults . 

⚠️ Dr. Patel, elected in April 2022, hasn’t been arrested yet; however, the evidence seized is described as “substantial” . 🏛️ With accreditation credibility at stake, experts now call for a full overhaul of PCI’s college recognition and inspection system . 

What’s your thoughts on this?

Sources : Harsh Y

#PharmacyEducation #PharmaRegulation #PharmacyCouncilOfIndia #PharmaGovernance #PharmaLeadership #PharmacyColleges #PharmaIndia #EducationStandards

Pharm D course introduction and D Pharma course closure is Propaganda !!!

I don't understand why D. Pharma course is being removed as minimum qualification for registration to practice Pharmacy in India. 

They say due to corruption. (Propaganda)

But I have seen corruption and malpractices happening at higher education level as well. 

1)PhD and PharmD students/interns publishing their names in scientific journals for research articles in which they have not done anything and just paid asked amount to the principal researcher so that their name get added in the research article as co-authors or co-researchers for publishing in scientific journals.

2)illogical sequence of subjects taught at colleges with these newly started courses.

3)Renting of license will continue even on Pharm-D ( doctor of pharmacy) degree.

4)To make minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India, Pharm-D degree rather than D.Pharm ie. to replace the state's diploma of pharmacist.

Instead of updating and upgrading the syllabus of D.Pharm, what the policy makers have done is that they have created a new course named Pharm.D/Pharmd(PB) and obvious plan is to make it the minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India and produce so called Next Generation and New Age Pharmacist.

Why create so much confusion, why malign the integrity of Pharmacy field. They could have retained the D.Pharm course and should have made neccessary changes in the syllabus and duration of D.Pharm, so that the minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India remain D.Pharm and no need to replace the state's diploma of pharmacist. 

Just imagine if M.B.B.S course is replaced by some other course which is made minimum qualification for a registered physician to do medical practice in India.

And then they call themselves Pharma Expert or Drug Expert (DRX). What a pity situation ?

Protect your Pharmacist. Save your Pharmacist.

Physicians are well protected by their own folks.

They are 'No Wrong Doers'!

Who should protect the Pharmacists in the service and in the Regulatory?

#RegulatoryOfficersAssociation

#IPA

#IHPA

#APTI

#AIOCD

#PharmacistsAssociation