HISTORY OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA

1. Lord brahma was the first teacher of universe who wrote “Ayurveda” (Science of life) in 5000 BC. Lord dhanwantris eas worshipped as “God of Health” holding the amrut (nector) in his hand. Righveda described the various herbs used in treating numerous diseases. Charaka and sushrata spread the message of Ayurveda in ancient India. In BC 226-Hospital concept in the period of Great Ashoka was well developed and practiced in India. In 900 AD- Tamilnadu (Tirumakku dal village) discovered organized hospital activity in India treating diseases like piles, jaundice, dropsy, TB, hemorrhage, etc. In 1000 AD- All the medical works were medaled on the Charaka pattern of treatment of diseases. 2. In 1860, (December), the pharmacy class was started at Madras Medical College. In 1886, the duration of the study was made two years and for entry, qualification of having passed the middle school examination was required. In 1894, the Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions noted, The certificate of a Chemist & Druggist is given in Madras to the students who attends full courses of instruction in material medica, chemistry, practical chemistry & practical pharmacy in the medical college. 3. E.J Wang tabled the motion for publication of Indian Pharmacopoeia- 4th march 1864. H.W. Honey, the “first qualified person” to get recognition as chemist and druggist in India in 1866. “First Pharmacopoeia of India” under British Monarchy in India was published in 1868. 4. Starting of regular two years course for “Chemists and Druggists Diploma” at MMC, Chennai in 1874. 5. November 1920- The first organized move to form a pharmaceutical society, the Calcutta Chemists & Druggists Association released third, which changed its name to Bengal Chemists & Druggists Association in 1926. 6. First issue of Indian journal of Pharmacy was released in 1939- Official publication of IPA. 7. In 1881, in Bengal a statutory provision was made for education and examination of compounders. School of Chemical Technology at Calcutta was opened in 1919 which gave short courses in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug manufacture and indigenous drugs (by research), soap & oil, food and technologies etc. In 1920, Calcutta University introduced M.Sc in Applied Chemistry, with pharmaceutics as a specialization from 1940. 8. Subhadra Kumar Patni became the first Pharmacy Graduate in India in 1940 – Formation of Pharmacy and Allied Manufacturers & Distributors Association Ltd. (PAMDAL) – head quartered at Mumbai. 9. Gorakh Prasad Srivastava became the first Post Graduate in Pharmacy from BHU in 1943. 10. 1945: Govt. brought the Pharmacy Bill to standardize the Pharmacy Education in India. 11. Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA) was floated in 1948 at Calcutta and the first annual conference was held in Calcutta itself in December 1948 with Prof. M.L. Shroff as a president Elec. But this address was read in absentia which a surprise was for everybody. 12. Pharmaceutical Society of India was started in the year 1923 under the name of “The Pharmaceutical Association”.In 1925, the name was changed into “The Pharmaceutical Society of India”.The society members started appending with their names the qualification M.P.S (India).It’s the oldest organization and in 1949, The Pharmaceutical Society of India stood amalgamated with the Madras Branch of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association. 13. First Diploma in Pharmacy education institute started at Jalpaiguri, 1949 at West Bengal. Education Regulation of PCI laid down Diploma of Pharmacy (D.Pharm) as the minimum qualification to enter into the profession of pharmacy in India- 1953. Sheovihari Lal became the first PhD holder in Pharmacy field, obtaining his Doctorate degree from University of Patna (Patna Medical College) under the guidance of Dr Achari, Department of Pharmacology, 1953. 14. Prof M.L. Schroff- “The Father of Pharmacy in India” and was elected the PCI President on 15th November, 1954. 15. Prof (Dr). Manjushree Pal was the first Indian lady pharmacist from Calcutta. 16. Mr. S.N. Bal happens to be the first foreign qualified pharmacist (1913) in India along with Mr. Premananda Das. 17. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya who inaugurate pharmaceutical education at the Benaras Hindu University, UP (1932). In 1932, Pharmaceutical Chemistry was introduced as one of the subject for B. Sc. Degree in Banaras Hindu University, UP. In 1934, an integrated two years course of studies leading to B.Sc. (Pharmaceutics) was started in Banaras Hindu University, UP. This is the first Indian University to start 3 years B. Pharm course in the year of 1937.The first batch graduating in 1940. The course studies included Pharmacy, 18. Pharmaceutical chemistry, Pharmacognosy, german & pharmaceutical economics. But, the Human physiology & Pharmacology were not included In April 1940, the BHU started M. Pharm research degree. 19. Dr. Khem Singh Grewal , founder of pharmaceutical education at the Panjab University, Panjab. It becoming second institution in India and started B.Pharm course from 1944. 20. Dr. Ratibhai Prabhudas Patel , Principal of the Lallubhai Motilal College of Pharmacy , Ahmedabad which started 2.5 years B.Pharm degree of the University of Bombay with an intake of 60 students each year in June ,1947. This college was affiliated with Gujarat University in 1950. 21. In September 1938, The University of Madras started 2 years degree course leading to B.Sc Pharmacy. The Madras Medical College was recognized in May 1939 for conducting the degree course. The classes started on 3rd July 1939 with 10 students. In 1946, Madras Medical College was got a separate department of Pharmaceutics which entrusted with the teaching of Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. From 1950, the university started 3 years Bachelor of Pharmacy Course. The prominent teacher was Professor Arayapuram Natesa Ratnagiriswaran. 22. The Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani also a creation of Prof. M.L . Schroff & Professor Paramjit Rai Pabrai was selected to HOD in July 1950. 23. Madras Medical College has provision for M.Sc degree in Pharmacy which included a regular course work and submission of thesis. 24. The one year M.Pharm course was introduced Andhra University in 1954 with two special subjects , namely, analysis of foods, drugs and water (branch I) and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals (branch II) .From 1969, the university offered two years M.Pharm in pharmaceutical and food analysis , pharmaceutical and fermentation technology(recent the name is Pharmaceutical Biotechnology), pharmaceutical chemistry. 25. In 1970, the college of pharmacy at Manipal started M.Pharm in Pharmacy Administration. 26. In 1979, the college of pharmacy at New Delhi offered M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology & from 1982 M.Pharm in Hospital Pharmacy. 27. The Hamdard College of Pharmacy (Affiliated with Delhi University) in 1982 introduced M .Pharm (Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry). 28. In 1983, Kakatiya University introduced M.Pharm in Drug formulation and Technology (Pharmaceutics) 29. In 1966, Department of Pharmacy of the Jadavpur University started 2 years M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Engineering. 30. The pharmacy studies at the Andhra University, Waltair was started in the year 1937.The students graduating with honours in chemical technology had a special subject of study on pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. The 3 years B.Pharm was started in 1951 & Department of Pharmacy was created in 1952. Professor Srinivasa Rangaswami was appointed the head. 31. Professor A.K. Bhattacharya , founder of pharmaceutical education in Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya , The short B.Pharm course was started in 1954 & new B.Pharm was introduced in July 1956. In July 1948, introduction of a diploma in soaps and cosmetics was started. In July 1952, the B.Sc course was designated with Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Industrial Chemistry (Singh, 2011). 32. The Department of Pharmacy, Nagpur University appeared on the scene in July 1956 & Dr. A.S. Paranjpe became HOD in November 1957. 33. Dr. Homi R. Nanji, Head, Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals Section, University Department of Chemical Technology, University of Bombay was commenced the B.Sc (Tech) in Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals in 1943. The 3 years B.Pharm course was introduced in June 1958 which was upgraded in 1984-85 (four years B.Pharm).Since 1988, the degree course was renamed as the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.Pharm.Sci). 34. In Jadavpur University, Calcutta the B.Pharm course started in September 1963. In July, 1964, Prof M.L.Schroff appointed as Professor and HOD. Earlier Professor Bijan Kumar Gupta joined as a reader. The department was renamed as the Pharmaceutical Technology in 1988 which come under the previews of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. 35. At present scenario the following courses are available which are approved by Pharmacy Council of India: (a) 2 years Diploma in Pharmacy course. (b) 4 years Bachelor of Pharmacy course. (c) 6 years Doctor of Pharmacy course. (2008) (d) 6 years Doctor of Pharmacy (Post Baccalaureate) course. (2008) (e) 2 years Bachelor of Pharmacy (Practice) course. (2014) (f) 2 years Master of Pharmacy course. (2014) (g) Minimum 3 years Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy) course.