The job of a pharmacist is generally
considered as a noble profession by all, as it is closely connected with human
life. Even though the nature and course of treatment that are required for the
patients are decided by a physician, the job of dispensing medicine comes under
the responsibility of a pharmacist. For carrying out this task in commendable
ways, a pharmacist should be well versed with all the different aspects of
medicine.
Pharmacy education in India has also
fully embraced the changes that had happened in every part of the world.
Presently a student who wishes to pursue the job of a pharmacist has got good
options for taking up different levels of pharmacy education; the available
levels of pharmacy education in India are Diploma, Under-Graduate,
Post-Graduate and PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy).
According to an article written by
the Vice-President of IPA in the 'Pharma Times' dated on March 3rd 2011 'the
origin of pharmacy institutions in India dates back to 1899 in Madras' and this
institution was meant for 'training of the pharmacists' and 'the statutory
regulation of Pharmacy institutions in India was established with the enactment
of the Pharmacy act 1948.'
As per the educational system
followed in India, one has to get enrolled in any of the approved pharmacy
courses that are conducted by the different Pharmacy Colleges which have got
All India Council for Technical Education and Pharmacy Council of India
approvals for becoming a professional pharmacist. Currently there are more than
1500 institutions in India that give various options of pharmaceutical studies
and the syllabus is mainly centered on the requirements of the present
pharmaceutical industry. These colleges cater the educational needs of almost
100000 students in each year. (These facts about the number of institutions and
that of the number of students are taken from an article written by the
Vice-President of IPA in the 'Pharma Times' dated on March 3rd 2011.)
As far as the pharmaceutical studies
in India is concerned, students can opt for the 3 year Diploma course or the 4
year Degree course and if one is opting for the Diploma course, then after the
completion of that course he or she can straightaway join for the Degree level
under a special program. After the Degree course the student is eligible for
pursuing the Master Degree in pharmacy. These days, many of the colleges have
also started PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) course, which is an integrated course
of six years and the student will be given a Doctorate Degree on successful
completion.
