‘Drastic changes in pharmacy education in the offing’
| Date :28-Jan-2023 |
By Vikas Vaidya
With the young man of 32 taking over the reigns of the apex body of Pharmacy education, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), winds of change have started blowing. Dr Montu Patel, probably the first one heading PCI from a non-teaching sector (as he is a Community Pharmacist) bubbling with enthusiasm, has several plans in his mind that would change the perspective of pharmacy education. After bringing a total change in Gujarat State Pharmacy Council, Dr Patel vowed to introduce changes in Pharmacy education in India to enable students to earn a respectable position, when they enter the profession.
Dr Patel was in Nagpur to grace the 72nd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) that concluded recently.
Sharing his vision and ideas with ‘The Hitavada’, the President of PCI, Dr Patel said, “In last several years, pharmacists remained neglected. Everyone focussed merely on inspection of colleges, their approvals and non-approvals. When I took charge, I noticed, most colleges were functioning without mandatory teaching faculty. I took action against 80% of colleges and derecognised 60% of the seats. Though later on, the seats were restored as they gave an affidavit that they would comply. Now I want to end this Inspector Raj.” Visibly enthusiastic, Dr Patel was speaking every word cautiously, taking a pause. According to Dr Patel, preparing a curriculum is not his work. He has to recommend certain things and get things done properly.
Also, he believes that teachers should focus on teaching. “Till now, teachers were being sent for inspection thereby their precious time was wasted. Now we are making college inspections online and we will outsource some reputed law firms in the area where the college is facing inspection. These law firm representatives will visit the college, inspect the infrastructure and based on their observations, our people will prepare a report on the colleges. This will not only save money, but precious time of the teachers too,” explained Dr Patel.
PCI had put a moratorium on new colleges, but some management knocked on the door of the Court. The Court asked the apex body to allow colleges to apply. There are 3,600 pharmacy colleges in India and PCI received around 2,200 applications for new colleges.
When asked, Will mushrooming institutions be able to maintain quality? Dr Patel said, “We are introducing strict rules and colleges would find it difficult to get the recognition easily. Recently, of the 100 colleges that applied to us, only 4-5 could pass the test. Our motto is-- no compromise with the quality and will stick to it.” According to most pharmacists, anyone doing D Pharm should not be allowed to practice, unless he or she acquires a degree.
Dr Patel differs from this opinion. “When we talk about a Diploma in Pharmacy, most students in rural areas or from poor families can’t afford to go for further education. We will be conducting courses whose classes would be held in the weekend. Through those classes, these students get themselves upgraded. Most parents want their children to complete their education and start earning either through a job or as an employer,” felt Dr Patel. PCI, under Dr Patel, proposed a post of Clinical Pharmacist to be filled by Government hospitals. The Government gave an assent to it. This Clinical Pharmacist will ease the load of patients in Government hospitals. This is what Dr Patel feels.
“If one visits Government hospitals, one would find a long queue at Outpatient Departments (OPDs). If we appoint a specialist Clinical Pharmacist, he or she will do the initial check-up of the patients and the people with acute ailments would be asked to enter the doctor’s chamber. The minor ailments will be resolved by Clinical Pharmacists thereby reducing the load on doctors. The Pharm D students will be given training of clinical pharmacist,” elaborated Dr Patel.