ROLE OF AICTE AND PCI IN INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION

ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION: 1. The Benaras Hindu University, Department of Pharmaceutics was the first pharmacy institution to be sanctioned grant by the AICTE (1950). 2. In 1952, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, for grant-in-aid. 3. The Pharmaceutical Education Committee (PEC) of the AICTE met on 13th August, 1954. 4. The PEC recommended that the 3 years B.Pharm course that existed needed revision to a 4 year integrated course after higher secondary and this recommendation was approved by the coordinating committee (1960) and the council (1961). 5. The Master of Pharmacy syllabus was drafted by AICTE in 1960. 6. Prof. Harkishan Singh was responsible for establishment of separate All India Board of Undergraduate Pharmaceutical Education and All India Board of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences under AICTE (1987). 7. AICTE bill was introduced in Parliament in August 1987. The Act came into force from 28th March 1988. 8. In 1988, the board i.e. U.G. & P.G Pharmacy education came under one board namely All India Board of Technical Studies in Pharmaceutical Education. 9. In 1990, the modified board name was All India Board of Pharmaceutical Education. 10. The AICTE as such decided to organize the conduct of a separate examination for pharmacy students under the name Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) with effect from academic session 2010-11. PHARMACY COUNCIL OF INDIA: The Pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate level is regulated by the PCI, a statutory body governed by the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 passed by the Parliament. The Pharmacy Act 1948 was enacted on 4.3.48 with the following preamble- "An Act to regulate the profession of pharmacy. Whereas it is expedient to make better provision for the regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy and for that purpose to constitute Pharmacy Councils″. The PCI was constituted on 9.8.49 under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act. 1. Regulation of the Pharmacy Education in the Country for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act. 2. Regulation of Profession and Practice of Pharmacy.3. To prescribe minimum standard of education required for qualifying as a pharmacist. 4. Framing of Education Regulations prescribing the conditions to be fulfilled by the institutions seeking approval of the PCI for imparting education in pharmacy (Ref.: section 10 of the Pharmacy Act). 5. To ensure uniform implementation of the educational standards throughout the country. 6. Inspection of Pharmacy Institutions seeking approval under the Pharmacy Act to verify availability of the prescribed norms. 7. To approve the course of study and examination for pharmacists i.e. approval of the academic training institutions providing pharmacy courses. 8. To withdraw approval, if the approved course of study or an approved examination does not continue to be in conformity with the educational standards prescribed by the PCI. 9. To approve qualifications granted outside the territories to which the Pharmacy Act extends i.e. the approval of foreign qualification. 10. To maintain Central Register of Pharmacists. The Pharmacy Act 1948 provides for regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy. The PCI constituted under the act, make regulations called the education regulations prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualification as a pharmacist. The education regulations for the first time were made in 1953, and revised in 1972, 1981 and 1991.Of recent, the PCI has come up with Pharm.D regulations (2008) which framed under section 10 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 (8 of 1948) which is approved by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and notified by the PCI. The qualifications are approved by the PCI for minimum qualifications as a registered pharmacist and practice pharmacy in India: 1. Diploma in Pharmacy: 2 years. 2. Bachelor of Pharmacy: 4 years. 3. Bachelor of Pharmacy (Practice): 2 years. 4. Master of Pharmacy with specialization: 2 years. 5. Pharm.D: 6 years. 6. Pharm.D. (P.B.): 3 years. 7. Ph.D. in Pharmacy: Minimum 3 years. The registered pharmacists are privileged to write R.Pharm (RP/RPh) abbreviation with their names. The PCI considered to design an insignia for use by the pharmacists who were qualified to practice pharmacy. In 1979, the color scheme of the same was adopted. The two color emblem, provided green color for the cross and circle surrounding the cross and red color for the letters. The registered pharmacists are encouraged to use this official insignia, termed as green is, would give to the qualified pharmacists their own identity and help them to maintain their integrity, recognition, dignity and status of professionalism. Professional Licensures (PCI): 1. Fresh Registration: U/S 32(2) of the pharmacy Act 1948 (8 of 1948). 2. Reciprocal Registration 3. Duplicate Registration 4. For issue of duplicate pharmacist registration certificate (Under section of the Pharmacy Act, 1948). 5. Renewal of restoration certificate. 6. Good Standing Certificate. 7. For change of surname. 8. Surrender of registration certificate. 9. Demise of a registered pharmacist. 10. Entry of additional qualifications (Under section 35) of the pharmacy, 1948 [Form E (2) Vide Rule 41(2)]. The state pharmacy councils and registration tribunals are responsible to dispatch certificates.