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Seminar Cum Discussion On
"New Careers And Professional Courses For Pharmacists In The Coming Decade"
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FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi
on
Sunday The 8th August, 2010 From 9:00 Am To 1:30 Pm
(B.Pharm Final Year & M.Pharm Students Only) |
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| Report on Seminar on the topic Redefining Pharmacy Education in India |
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 A Seminar cum Discussion on
“REDEFINING PHARMACY EDUCATION IN INDIA”
Venue- FICCI, Federation House, New Delhi
Date- 19th September 2009
On the first day of Navratra, A seminar cum discussion was organized by Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association and IPGA welfare trust on “Redefining Pharmacy education in India”. The seminar was cheered with the presence of Prof. S. N. Sharma, Prof. S. K. Kulkarni, Sh. S. W. Deshpande, Mrs. Archana Mudgal, Dr. Harvinder Popli, Prof. R. K. Khar, Mr. P. P. Sharma, Prof. S. S. Aggarwal, Mr. Atul Kr. Nasa, Dr. Arun Garg, Mr. Vijay Bhalla and other eminent dignitaries, to come with their valuable comments, criticism and discussions giving shape and design to the new world of pharmacy education in India.
The seminar was inaugurated with lighting the lamps and Maa Saraswati Vandana at the FICCI. A half yearly newsletter of IPGA for 2009 as “IPGA TODAY” was released by all the dignitaries. IPGA was fortunate enough to have eminent personalities of the pharmaceutical profession on the same platform where they all discussed the need of hour for the pharmaceutical education and decided to take initiative for the future benefits of pharmacy profession. The discussion was made much more relevant by the presence of senior faculty and students of associated institutes. “There are people you want to know for rest of your life and then there are people you want to know for rest of your lives.” Pharmacy professionals are indebted to almighty for showering with such a discerning research lovers Dr. M. Venkateswarlu. The seminar was started with paying gratitude to Late Dr. M Venkateswarlu (61), former Drug Controller General (India). Dr. M. Venkateswarlu is known for his diligence and as renovator of the Indian pharmaceutical regulatory set-up. Also the brain behind various paradigm shifting decision in his tenure in the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) as Joint Director and Drug Controller General India. Vis a vis he was actively involved in the revision of schedule M and schedule Y, improved quality in clinical trial practices.
Mr. Atul Kr. Nasa (President IPGA) sagaciously welcomed all the delegates, members of IPGA and students for their presence and shared the success of IPGA and establishment of IPGA welfare trust. Mr. Nasa said that “It is a moment of gratification and pride for all the members of IPGA to set-up IPGA welfare trust”. The mission of IPGA trust is to aid, assist and finance, establish and run, conduct conventions, scholarships, training, seminars, coaching, placements, consultancies, research projects, and such other activities as may be necessary for upliftment of members of Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association and for the general public welfare particularly of women, children, senior citizens and handicapped persons of all castes and creeds. Dr. Nasa added that “Number of questions and issues are coming from various professional regarding the future of pharmacy education. This is the right time to answer those questions and discuss the issues and therefore all the dignitaries from Educational, Regulation and Industry are invited here”.
Professor R. K. Khar (Professor of Pharmaceutices, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi) addressed the entire pharmacy professional at FICCI and acclaimed that a “Good Education is the basis for Good Professionals”. Prof. Khar discussed about the current challenges and major issues in pharmacy education as-
1. Developing successful educational policy is the bedrock to make growth assessment of pharmacy education in India. We should accomplish a balance sheet of 5-6 decades and draw road maps for the future.
2. Minimize horizontal growth vis a vis maximize vertical growth by looking on significant find out drop out of pharmacy education.
3. Prof Khar exclaimed that “For last 20 years GATE examination was the responsibilities of IIT but now it is not in their curriculum from the coming year”. Who should take the responsibility for GATE examination of pharmacy education?
4. Issue regarding the regulatory bodies (PCI and AICTE) for pharmacy education was also brought to the picture.
5. Issue related to transition of B. Pharm to Pharm. D in coming years. Pharm. D may serve as two boats with different approach as industrial pharmacy and clinical pharmacy.
Prof. Khar said “I think IPGA will provide a good input regarding these issues and it is the beginning to many more discussion in future”.
Professor S. K. Kulkarni (Director, Bombay College of pharmacy) portrayed pharmacy education system in India which remained unchanged, rigid inflexible and bogged down by rules and regulations. Prof. Kulkarni commenced his talk with congratulating Mr. Atul kr. Nasa for the establishment of IPGA welfare trust. In the last one decades the technical education, particularly, the pharmaceutical education, has expanded in goalless and unmindful way. While across the developed world barriers of education have disappeared and learning has become student friendly and meaningful, the professional education in India continues to be purposeless. Pharmaceutical education is in no exception. Prof. Kulkarni criticized on the excessive experimentation, hurdle jumping approach to learning and unfriendly learner (student) system, although emphasized that University grant commission (as well as the new MHRD initiative) has managed for converting the traditional university education system into semester and credit/grade-based. Prof. Kulkarni shared some idea for the future quality of professional education, quality teaching and competitive as well as innovative research. The ideal profile of the pharmacist should be as frontline pharmacist and have the social responsiveness. FIP with an objective to enable better discovery, development, access to and safe use of appropriate, cost effective, quality medicines worldwide, focus on to the advance pharmacy practice, Pharmaceutical sciences and Pharmacy education. Prof. Kulkarni suggested that total pharmaceutical care should aims toward patient focused pharmacists, collaboration between hospital and community, better therapeutic strategy and improving the patients quality of life particularly in elderly, mental illness, diabetes and in at risk patients. Prof. Kulkarni also updated the new opportunities in pharmacy like drug information, patient counseling, drug discovery and development, clinical research and liaison. Seven star pharmacist described by WHO initiative on global health policy framework, 1997 as Care-giver, Decision maker, Communicator, Community leader, Manager, Life-long learner and Role model. Coming to Pharm D education course in the USA (University of California) Prof. Kulkarni said that students select among three pathways which are as Pharmaceutical care, Pharmaceutical health policy & management or Pharmaceutical sciences but till date this is not in the curriculum of Pharm. D education of pharmacy council of India. Rigid educational programs have to give way to more adaptable and flexible ones, in which student feedback, faculty and lesson assessment, patient focused learning, professionalism and ethical consideration and life-long learning abilities will form core requirements. In a global environment there is an urgent need to re-define the mission and goals of pharmaceutical education to fulfill the needs of the profession and the nation in healthcare delivery. Prof. Kulkarni ended his presentation with the words “`Change`, Yes, we can, to bring quality in pharmaceutical education to meet the challenges and the needs of the nation in the 21st century.”
Professor S. N. Sharma (Professor Emeritus Hamdard University, Delhi) appreciated the fruitful efforts of IPGA for organizing the seminar and said that such inputs are required to think over pharmaceutical education. Also compared this seminar to the earlier discussion to prevent and control the damage “Reorientation of pharmaceutical education in India” (in 1965) and “National agenda for pharmaceutical education in India". Professor S. N. Sharma added that in First phase of growth (1932-1954) there was no statutory control of the government over pharmaceutical education. At that time job openings for the graduates were very limited in industry, education and drug control whereas in the Second phase of growth (1954-1987) employment option opened in education, drug control administration, hospitals, self employment with partial control of statutory body like All India Council of Technical Education. Third phase of growth (1987 to Date) came in pharmaceutical education with complete statutory control by the AICTE under AICTE act, considerable enhancement in job opportunities. Prof. S. N. Sharma described scope of pharmaceutical healthcare and gave a phrase on pharmaceutical culture as “Accepting professional responsibilities and providing ethical services in all areas of operation”. The numbers of institution imparting the B. Pharm course till recently was around 600. In spite of new areas of employment at present, the present graduate course curriculum is inadequate and requires in-depth thinking to meet contemporary and future professional needs. The PCI at the beginning of the 21st century submitted the new education regulations, with the main theme to upgrade the diploma course under the pharmacy act 1948 to a degree course, to the ministry of health which has not been accepted. S. N Sharma proposed 4 years degree course in pharmacy with specialization as-
1. The present degree course is obsolete and requires re-defining.
2. There are 3 main areas of employment at present hence a case for providing specialization is imperative.
3. The core courses should spread over first four semesters followed by specialization in the last 4 semesters, followed by training.
4. Stress should be on creating conditions to learn and solve problems; hence formal lectures etc. are to be reduced.
5. To develop initiative in the students, the preparation of project reports should be introduced.
6. Additional courses in non-professional subjects should form a part of the course structure e.g. English.
7. The computer courses should be intensified.
8. There should be provision for library hours in the time table in each semester.
9. It will also require a reorientation in the mindset of the teaching faculty.
10. All institutions running the first degree course may offer specializations for which they can provide facilities.
This suggested programme is a complete departure from the traditional approach and is likely to meet opposition from teaching community and statutory bodies. Prof. S. N. Sharma lastly said that IPGA may pave the way to a working group to examine and frame a detailed programme based on the recommendations at this seminar which may be submitted to statutory bodies.
Mr. S. W. Deshpande (Hon. Director General, All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation) initiated by saying that “Inputs are always required to bring out change for better tomorrow and the changes should take place at the place where we like it to happen”. Also pointed out key factors like curriculum issues and syllabus making, process of change in syllabus, infrastructure, faculty and implementation methodology. Curriculum should be formal, informal, practical oriented and internship should be a part of this. Mr. Deshpande added specifically on pharmaceutical jurisprudence that must change to Drug regulatory affair and should be for three years starting from 2nd year. Mr. Deshpande made a talk on revision of some act like Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945, Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 and Rules 1955, Drugs (Prices Control) Order 1995, Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and Rules 1985, Intellectual Property Rights [IPR]. Syllabus should include Biotechnology, Stem cell therapy, Bioinformatic, Bio Medical Engineering and Basic principles of quality assurance in formulations from alternate system of medicine. Apart from this some measures like abolishment of dual control (PCI and AICTE), alternatively forming a Joint Council comprising representatives of PCI and AICTE, uniform syllabus in India with certain degree of flexibility, uniform eligibility criterion for admission to MBA Pharma and Post graduate diploma in Pharma management, introduce a system of accreditation of pharmacy colleges and institutes, continuous up-gradation of faculty and allocation of funds for training of teachers, were the key issues of the discussion.
“Focus should be to equip the pharmacist with skills and knowledge to enable him to become a confident team member of healthcare system”.
Shift from textual to conceptual understanding
Shift from creating generalist to specialist
Technocrat to techno managers
At the end Mr. S. N. Deshpahde with smiling face said “A society that encourages creativity, enterprise, innovation and risk taking will be a vibrant society and the future belongs to such society” [Hon. Prime Minister Shri. Manmohan Singhji, Can India take a lead? India Today Conclave,2007].
After this there was a lunch session and since this was the first day of Navratra So Navratra special food was served.
Mrs. Archna Mudgal (Secretary PCI) emphasized that education, practice and regulation are drivers of quality. At the same time acclaimed that education is the strongest driver of quality and pointed for any gap among these drivers may definitely affect the quality. Trained manpower is the most precious resource and pillars of quality assurance since they are the one with knowledge, performance and competence. Mrs. Archna Mudgal promoted the basic tenets of PCI that “The Pharmacy Council of India will promote excellence with in pharmacy profession and ensure pharmacists being recognized as the trusted experts in medicines”. Presenting Pharmacy education in India present pharmacy education in India is divided in D. Pharm, B. Pharm, Pharm D, M. Pharm and Ph. D. While coming on to gaps in Pharmacy education in India Mrs. Archna mudgal said that “Minimum qualification for registration as pharmacist is not upto the level in India and there is no examination for registration when it was compared to the USA, UK and Australia”. Despite these facts non mandatory patient counseling and education programme is the major pitfall in education curriculum as well as hospital and clinical pharmacy is not well established at this time. According to the WHO 50 % of the medicine are wasted worldwide due to inappropriate prescription, dispensing and patient not taking drugs properly. Also elaborated WHO recommendation for the rational use of drug by inclusion of clinical pharmacy training and pharmacist participation in ward round, monitoring prescription in OPD, drug information centre and taking other measures. Mrs. Archna Mudgal described pharmacist in domains one with health care delivery and other emphasized on pharmaceutical industry.
Recently PCI accolade for Quality Assurance of Pharmacy Education by creating milestone in pharmacy education like-
1. Introduction of Pharm. D Programme.
2. Setting up of National School of Pharmacy.
3. Amendment to Pharmacy Act.
4. Major highlights are introduction of practice regulations, up-gradation of minimum registerable qualification, CEP mandatory for registration, regulation of pharmacy education by PCI alone and professional conduct regulations.
5. Framing of regulations for
a. B. Pharm.
b. M. Pharm.
c. Bridge course for up-gradation from diploma to degree.
6. National Task Force for Quality Assurance of Pharmacy Education.
7. Awareness amongst general public & institutions about Council’s policies.
Mrs. Archna Mudgal said that there is reclusive contact of B. Pharm education curriculum with that of patient care need. Vis a vis role of pharmacist has evolved from compounder to provider of drug information and patient care. So “It’s time we wake up to the reality and start working to make our profession even more dynamic and exciting than ever before…”
Also reaffirmed that the current task for the PCI for Pharm. D is to create job opportunities and will come up with a fruitful solution by
1. Approaching UGC to include Pharm. D in UGC schedule u/s 22 (3) of the UGC Act as an approved qualification.
2. Approaching various recruiting agencies in Central/State Govt. to amend Recruitment Rules to include Pharm. D as an approved qualification.
3. Initiating action to amend statutory regulations (ER-91, Pharm. D. etc.) to include Pharm. D as an approved qualification for teaching.
4. Initiating action for Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with other countries.
Dr. Harvinder Popli (Director, In-Licensing – Asia &CIS, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd) had talk on “Global scenario of pharmaceutical industry and emerging opportunities in India”. The Indian Pharma industries which have amongst the top 5 bulk drug manufacturers, amongst the top 20 pharmaceutical exporters and 8% of global volumes, has evolved from the early phase to a emerged scenario where healthcare, regulatory policies, industry and pharmaceutical R & D are paid equal attention at a global perspective. Process development competencies, skilled scientific manpower, economies of scale (low cost of production) and international exposure are putting the real means and value in Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. Critical issues for global pharma companies like drying new chemical entities pipeline, patent expiry of top selling drugs and slower growth rate of US, Japan and Europe can lead to opportunities for Indian companies. At the same time Dr. Harvinder Popli made aware of the strong international competition (particularly from china) and global consolidation to optimize manufacturing and research resources. Regarding new strategies for the success of Indian pharma companies, Dr. Harvinder Popli suggested that Indian companies must broaden their therapeutic portfolio to include therapeutic segments such as anti-diabetic, central nervous system and cardiovascular. Contract manufacturing of final dosage form and injectables offer the opportunity for better margins and lower competition from other low cost countries like China hence companies must focus on this. At the same time Domestic companies should continue their focus on innovation to develop new Chemical Entities/New Molecular Entities (NCEs/NMEs) which will offer sustainable revenues going forward.
India is defined as a R&D hotspot because:
Companies are able to tap into existing scientific and technical expertise networks,
Good links to academic research facilities,
Environment supports innovation, and
It’s easy to commercialize.
According to Frost & Sullivan reports, the worldwide revenue for Pharmaceutical industry contract manufacturing and research services (CRAMS) totaled around $120 Bn in 2005 and is growing at an average of 10% to reach %170 Bn by 2009. Contract research and manufacture are undertaken by India as clinical research industry, contract manufacturing. India is taking privilege of low cost, skilled base, GMP and FDA compliance levels, high visibilities in generic and recognition of product patents.
Also stressed that B. Pharm student should look for specialization in any field like regulatory affairs, patent and clinical research.
Discussion part was welcomed with suggestive answer to all the senior faculty and students and resolutions at the podium of IPGA-
1. IPGA will write to NIPER, PCI and AICTE for conducting the GATE examination of pharmacy education and will try their best to make such initiative in future regarding GATE examination.
2. Mr. S. W. Deshpande suggested the students on verge of their B. Pharm to have specialization in some domain like Pharma management, regulatory affairs, clinical pharmacy and intellectual property rights.
3. Issue regarding the discrimination in fees, syllabus and admission procedure despite the governing bodies are same- Over this Dr. Arun Garg suggested that fee structure depends on the institution inputs and has to be decided by the State Fee Committees. He stressed that “While we are talking to make pharmacy education better in India still we are following the same syllabus since last many years. Syllabus should change according to the need of hour looking forward for new opportunities and fields”. Prof. S. S. Aggarwal emphasized on having uniform syllabus all over India and single entrance examination for Pharmacy.
4. Specialization should be within the curriculum of B. Pharm and choice should be there to make career in different allied pharmaceutical fields.
5. There should be one governing regulatory body for institutions and grading system for these institutes may provide well establishment of faculty and facilities (Good education policy).
6. IPGA must constitute a student interactive body so as to guide them and wade through sea of difficult moments.
7. A test for lectureship as eligibility for the professionals in Pharmacy College with the objective to provide better education to the coming generation.
8. Upgradation of D Pharm to B Pharm as a minimum qualification for registration as pharmacist in India.
Dr Arun Garg Atul Kumar Nasa General Secretary President
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