Experts question Pharm.D course
Source:Deccan chronicle
Presently, out of 64 pharma colleges offering the Pharm D course in the country, the state has the maximum number of colleges with 23 pharma colleges offering the course to those who have completed 10+2.
The first batch of the Pharm D course would graduate in 2014, while those who joined the Pharm D course after completing B Pharmacy, would pass out in 2012 in the state.
However, the US Accreditation Council for Pharm D is yet to give recognition to Indian pharmacy colleges which follow its Pharm D course pattern.
“It would be difficult for the Pharm D course that local colleges offer to get the US Council's approval without following strictly rules and regulation prescribed by the US Accreditation Council for Pharm D as well as other rules prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India,” said Prof. C. Siddeshwar, principal of University Pharmacy College, KU.
Prof. Siddeshwar, who regularly makes inspection of pharmacy colleges around the country, added that 60% of Pharm D colleges have not been complying with these rules.
For instance, the Council mandates that a Pharm D student in India must have 1,200 to 3,000 hours of experience in an actual pharmacy store. Unlike the Indian pharmacy stores run by two-year diploma holders in pharmacy (D Pharmacy) (which rarely happens), all US drug stores are required to be run and managed by those who completed Pharm D course based on “doctors diagnose and pharmacists prescribe” principle followed in US.
However, city-based Mr T. Jayapal Reddy, state president of AP Private Pharmacy Colleges Management Association and honorary secretary of the Netherlands based International Pharmaceutical Federation brushed aside the apprehen
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