Since the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is now vested with full control of pharmacy education, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) needs to redesign the syllabus of the bridge course, B Pharm – Pharmacy Practice, in order to obtain the approval and recognition of the all India technical education regulator.
Without the approval of the AICTE, no course in pharmacy, either regular or part-time, will be entertained by any institution or university in India. So the Council has to frame a new curriculum.
PCI introduced the bridge course three years ago with a view to enhance the professional skills, knowledge and status of the working pharmacists. The course was expected to offer excellent opportunity for diploma holders who wished to upgrade themselves to graduate level and learn about the latest practices in pharmacy profession. But the programme has not taken off well for want of support from academic institutions.
“If the course is recognised and conducted by any university in the country, it should have the approval of the AICTE. Otherwise, the fate of the programme will be in peril like what was in the case of the Pharm D till last year. Pharm D was recognised by the technical education regulator only in 2018,although the programme was launched by the PCI ten years ago. Now all the pharmacy colleges in India are showing interest to run the programme. Similarly, if B Pharm (Practice) has to be succeeded, the course should be recognised by the AICTE”,says the academic expert,Dr. K G Revikumar.
The major flaw he finds in the curriculum is that it lacks opportunity for higher studies and confuses institutions and universities. Teachers are unhappy about the content of the curriculum. So, the syllabus has to be revamped fully and it should be sent for the approval of AICTE. If AICTE approves the programme, the course will come under the skill development project of government of India and financial support will be given to the institutions for establishing lab and other facilities.
PCI introduced the bridge course in 2015 as a part time course for the working pharmacists who are registered as pharmacists with their respective state pharmacy councils. It was designed that the course should be conducted on weekends and students could complete it along with their current jobs. The primary aim was to help the pharmacy professionals to get better job and promotional avenues. Although three years have passed after the introduction of the programme, only two or three private institutions started the programme, and that too without the approval of respective universities.
According to university sources, the major hurdle for institutions and universities to take up the bridge course forward was non-recognition by AICTE. Pharmacy colleges are confused, even today, over the future of the course like what was for the Pharm D, which was started by the PCI in 2008,but the AICTE recognised it only this year.
Pharmacy academic experts are of the opinion that PCI should revise the curriculum of the bridge course in a national and international perspective for making it a valuable degree course. The best way for the PCI is to frame a syllabus for an Integrated Course and submit to universities for their approval. So, the working pharmacists who are registered as Diploma holders can join the programme in the third year in lateral entry. On completion of the two years, they will get a degree equal to the present B Pharm.
Via pharmabiz
Without the approval of the AICTE, no course in pharmacy, either regular or part-time, will be entertained by any institution or university in India. So the Council has to frame a new curriculum.
PCI introduced the bridge course three years ago with a view to enhance the professional skills, knowledge and status of the working pharmacists. The course was expected to offer excellent opportunity for diploma holders who wished to upgrade themselves to graduate level and learn about the latest practices in pharmacy profession. But the programme has not taken off well for want of support from academic institutions.
“If the course is recognised and conducted by any university in the country, it should have the approval of the AICTE. Otherwise, the fate of the programme will be in peril like what was in the case of the Pharm D till last year. Pharm D was recognised by the technical education regulator only in 2018,although the programme was launched by the PCI ten years ago. Now all the pharmacy colleges in India are showing interest to run the programme. Similarly, if B Pharm (Practice) has to be succeeded, the course should be recognised by the AICTE”,says the academic expert,Dr. K G Revikumar.
The major flaw he finds in the curriculum is that it lacks opportunity for higher studies and confuses institutions and universities. Teachers are unhappy about the content of the curriculum. So, the syllabus has to be revamped fully and it should be sent for the approval of AICTE. If AICTE approves the programme, the course will come under the skill development project of government of India and financial support will be given to the institutions for establishing lab and other facilities.
PCI introduced the bridge course in 2015 as a part time course for the working pharmacists who are registered as pharmacists with their respective state pharmacy councils. It was designed that the course should be conducted on weekends and students could complete it along with their current jobs. The primary aim was to help the pharmacy professionals to get better job and promotional avenues. Although three years have passed after the introduction of the programme, only two or three private institutions started the programme, and that too without the approval of respective universities.
According to university sources, the major hurdle for institutions and universities to take up the bridge course forward was non-recognition by AICTE. Pharmacy colleges are confused, even today, over the future of the course like what was for the Pharm D, which was started by the PCI in 2008,but the AICTE recognised it only this year.
Pharmacy academic experts are of the opinion that PCI should revise the curriculum of the bridge course in a national and international perspective for making it a valuable degree course. The best way for the PCI is to frame a syllabus for an Integrated Course and submit to universities for their approval. So, the working pharmacists who are registered as Diploma holders can join the programme in the third year in lateral entry. On completion of the two years, they will get a degree equal to the present B Pharm.
Via pharmabiz
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