NO more Pharmacy colleges from 2020: Pharmacy Council of India imposes 5 year BAN
New Delhi: Concerned with the mushrooming of pharmacy colleges in the country and fewer job opportunities for D Pharma and B Pharma passouts, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has imposed a moratorium on the opening of new pharmacy colleges for a period of 5 years starting 2020-21.
The PCI authorities took this decision noting the availability of sufficient qualified pharmacist workforce as compared with the present population, rapid increase in the number of pharmacy colleges leading to a shortage of trained and qualified teaching faculty which may affect the quality of education imparted to students.
The abovementioned factors are drastically affecting the job prospects of pharmacists who are failing to get reasonably paid job opportunities in public as well in the private sector.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. It is constituted under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 to regulate the pharmacy education and practice of' profession in the country by prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualification for registration as a pharmacist.
Also read:- MD Pathology, MD Biochemistry cannot pursue DM Clinical Hematology: MCI alters feeder qualifications
At present, the following courses in pharmacy are being approved by the PCI u/s 12 of the Pharmacy Act. 1948.
During the 1O6" Central Council meeting of the PCI held on 9* & 10" April, 20 I9, a concern was expressed about the mushrooming of pharmacy colleges in the country. The issue was thread barely deliberated. lt was noted that -
1. There are approximately 1,985 D Pharma and 1,439 B Pharma institutes in the country. The annual intake Of students in these institutes (both D Pharma at B Pharma) is 2,19,279
2. This available workforce is enough to meet the current pharmacist-to-population needs of' the country.
3. The rapid increase in the number of pharmacy colleges over the last decade may result in a shortage of trained and qualified teaching faculty which may affect the quality of education imparted to students.
4. The pass out students are not getting reasonably paid job opportunities in public as well in the private sector.
Given this scenario, the Pharmacy council of India passed the following resolution
Read Also: MD Pathology, MD Biochemistry cannot pursue DM Clinical Hematology: MCI alters feeder qualifications
The PCI authorities took this decision noting the availability of sufficient qualified pharmacist workforce as compared with the present population, rapid increase in the number of pharmacy colleges leading to a shortage of trained and qualified teaching faculty which may affect the quality of education imparted to students.
The abovementioned factors are drastically affecting the job prospects of pharmacists who are failing to get reasonably paid job opportunities in public as well in the private sector.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. It is constituted under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 to regulate the pharmacy education and practice of' profession in the country by prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualification for registration as a pharmacist.
Also read:- MD Pathology, MD Biochemistry cannot pursue DM Clinical Hematology: MCI alters feeder qualifications
At present, the following courses in pharmacy are being approved by the PCI u/s 12 of the Pharmacy Act. 1948.
| Name of the Course | Duration of the course (Years) | Admission Qualification |
| Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) | 2 yrs 500hrs practical training | - 10+2 science academic stream with Physics, Chemistry. Mathematics or Biology. |
| Bachelor oF pharmacy (B.Pham ) | 4yrs | - 10+2 science academic stream with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or • Diploma In Pharmacy from PCI approved institutions. |
| Name of the Course | Duration of the course (Years) | Admission Qualification |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (practice) | 2yrs. | - D.Pharm from PCI approved - Registered pharmacist with 4 yrs. Pharmacy Practice experience in community or hospital. |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) | 6 yrs. | - 10+2 science academic. stream with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or biology. - Diploma in pharmacy from PCI approved institution. |
| (Specialization) | 2yrs. | - B.pharm |
During the 1O6" Central Council meeting of the PCI held on 9* & 10" April, 20 I9, a concern was expressed about the mushrooming of pharmacy colleges in the country. The issue was thread barely deliberated. lt was noted that -
1. There are approximately 1,985 D Pharma and 1,439 B Pharma institutes in the country. The annual intake Of students in these institutes (both D Pharma at B Pharma) is 2,19,279
2. This available workforce is enough to meet the current pharmacist-to-population needs of' the country.
3. The rapid increase in the number of pharmacy colleges over the last decade may result in a shortage of trained and qualified teaching faculty which may affect the quality of education imparted to students.
4. The pass out students are not getting reasonably paid job opportunities in public as well in the private sector.
Given this scenario, the Pharmacy council of India passed the following resolution
"Taking into consideration the availability of sufficient qualified pharmacist workforce, the house unanimously resolved to put a moratorium on the opening of new pharmacy colleges for running diploma as well as Degree course in pharmacy for a period of five years beginning from the academic year 2020-2021. This moratorium shall not be applicable in the North Eastern region of the country where there is a shortage of pharmacy colleges."
Read Also: MD Pathology, MD Biochemistry cannot pursue DM Clinical Hematology: MCI alters feeder qualifications
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This site is primarily intended for healthcare professionals. Any content/information on this website does not replace the advice of medical and/or health professionals and should not be construed as medical/diagnostic advice/endorsement or prescription. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use, privacy policy, advertisement policy. © 2020 Minerva Medical Treatment Pvt Ltd