PCI made practical training compulsory to D Pharm students
| Date :06-Jan-2020 |
By Rajendra Diwe :
Only PCI approved pharmacies or medical stores can provide practical training
Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) sent the list of pharmacies or medical stores for approval
In a recent move to strengthen the Education Regulations 1991 and Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015 with respect to running of D Pharm course in the country, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has decided to approve the pharmacies or medical stores (chemists and druggists) across the country. These approved pharmacies or medical stores will only be eligible to provide practical training (PT) to students of Diploma in Pharmacy in the country.
“PCI will acknowledge practical training (PT) obtained by students of diploma in pharmacy (D Pharm) only from pharmacies/medical stores (chemists and druggists) which have got prior approval of the PCI for the purpose of giving PT to student pharmacists,” stated a circular issued by PCI in this regards. During the 106th Central Council Meeting of PCI held recently, the circular will be implemented from January 2020 and from now on, only PCI-approved medical stores or hospital pharmacies will be eligible to provide PTs to student pharmacists. Harish Ganeshani, the member of Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) said, “The state pharmacy council had already received the guidelines from PCI. A districtwise list of Pharmacies or Medical Stores who are fulfilling the guidelines of PCI has already been sent through MSPC to PCI. Each district from Vidarbha region has been considered while sending the list. Now, MSPC is waiting for the approval from PCI.
Once, the approved list of pharmacies or medical stores will be released by PCI, then MSPC will notify these pharmacies or medical stores to the institutions and students of D Pharma could get practical training from these approved pharmacies.” Prof S K Tillo, Principal of Gurunanak Technical Institute (Diploma In Pharmacy) has welcomed the decision of PCI and opined that it would strengthen the quality and standards of Pharmacy Practice in the country. He said, “PCI has made practical training of 500 hours in three months compulsory for the students pursuing D Pharm. As per clause 20 (3) of the ER 1991 and Regulation 4 . 4 of the PPR 2015, a student of Diploma in Pharmacy course has to undergo 500 hours of practical training (spanning three months) in a pharmacy.
If the student takes the training from a government hospital pharmacy, it does not need to seek approval of the PCI. But private institutions, whether they are medical colleges or hospitals, they should apply for approval for giving PT to student pharmacists, according to information from PCI.” “The main objective of the central pharmacy council to become rigid in implementing the regulations is to weed out fake practical training pharmacies or chemists and druggists who are assigning students in their shops for three months under the pretext of giving training. Such shops may not have full time registered pharmacists.
In future, PCI will acknowledge the training only given by experienced and registered pharmacists. This is a requirement as per ER 1991 and PPR 2015,” Prof Tillo added. According to circular of PCI, “Exposure to working knowledge about keeping of records required by various Acts covering the profession of pharmacy should be an essential part of the course. Further, diploma students must get practical experience in the manipulation of pharmaceutical apparatus in common use. Similarly, he must understand the reading, translation and copying of prescriptions including checking of doses.
A pharmacist is supposed to have knowledge in dispensing of prescription illustrating the commoner methods of administering medicaments and storage of drugs and medical preparations.” Ganeshani mentioned, “The pharmacies or chemists and druggists who intent to provide PTs should inform the PCI through their state councils the details of both the trainers and the trainees. The application for approval should consist of copies of qualification certificate and registration certificate of the working pharmacist (trainer) and name and address of the diploma student and of his college. The date of joining PT and completion of the course must also be informed the PCI.”