EDUCATION REGULATIONS

 In accordance with Section 10 of the Pharmacy Act 1948, the Central Council, subject to approval by the Central Government, has the authority to establish Education Regulations that define the minimum educational standards necessary for individuals aspiring to become qualified pharmacists. These regulations encompass:

 (a) The minimum prerequisites for admission into the program.

 (b) The curriculum's nature and duration.

 (c) The requisite practical training duration following the completion of the standard coursework, which includes a minimum of 75 hours over a period of three months at an institution, hospital, pharmacy, or dispensary recognized by the Central Council.

 (d) The subjects of examination and the expected level of proficiency in each.

 (e) The facilities and equipment institutions must provide to students pursuing an approved course of study.

 (f) The conditions that institutions offering practical training must meet.

 (g) The requirements governing authorities responsible for conducting approved examinations.

 Before submitting the Education Regulations or any proposed amendments to the Central Government for approval, the Central Council is obligated to distribute draft copies of the ER (Education Regulations) and any subsequent amendments to all State Governments. The Central Council also takes into account any comments received from State Governments within three months of sharing these documents. The Central Government subsequently publishes the ER in the Official Gazette as directed by the Central Council. The Executive Committee periodically evaluates the efficacy of the ER and may recommend amendments to the Central Council.

 

Application of Education Regulations to States:

Following the formation of the state council in accordance with Chapter 3 and subsequent consultation with the state council, the State Government can, through a notification in the Official Gazette, declare the application of ER within the state. If such a declaration is not made, ER becomes effective in the state three years after the establishment of the State Council.

 

PHARM.D. REGULATIONS 2008

 

The Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) qualification serves as a prerequisite for registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act 1948. This qualification encompasses two program types:

 

1. Pharm.D.
2. Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate)

 

Duration of the Course:

- Pharm.D.: This program spans six academic years (five years of study and one year of internship or residency). Each academic year must consist of no less than 200 working days and is divided into two phases:

  - Phase I: Comprising the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth academic years.

  - Phase II: Involving internship or residency training during the sixth year in specialized hospital units, where students gain practical pharmacy experience.

 

- Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate): This program takes three academic years (two years of study and one year of internship or residency). Similar to Pharm.D., each academic year comprises a minimum of 200 working days and is divided into two phases:

  - Phase I: Covering the first and second academic years.

  - Phase II: Encompassing internship or residency training during the third year in specialized hospital units, exposing students to real-world pharmacy practice.

 

Minimum Qualification for Admission:

- For Pharm.D., eligibility requires either:

  (a) Successful completion of the 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects and either Mathematics or Biology.

  (b) A D.Pharm. qualification from a PCI-approved institution under section 12 of the Pharmacy Act.

  (c) Any other qualification approved by PCI as equivalent to the above exams. Applicants must also be at least 17 years old by December 31st of the year of admission.

 

- For Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate), admission necessitates a B.Pharm. qualification from a PCI-approved institution under section 12 of the Pharmacy Act.

 

Reservation:

Reserved seats are available for SC, ST, and OBC candidates, in accordance with directives issued by the Central Government, State Government, or Union Territory Administration, as applicable.

 

Number of Seats:

The number of seats for both Pharm.D. and Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate) is determined by PCI and may change over time. Presently, there are 30 seats for Pharm.D. and 10 for Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate). Institutions wishing to offer these programs must obtain prior approval from PCI.

 

Syllabus:

The curriculum for each subject in these programs is detailed in Appendix-A of these regulations.

 

Examination:

Examinations, encompassing theory, practical, and oral components, may occur twice annually—an annual and a supplementary examination. Theory exams are three hours long, while practical exams are four hours. Both theory and practical exams have a sessional component carrying 30 marks separately.

 

APPROVAL OF INSTITUTIONS OR AUTHORITIES PROVIDING COURSES OF STUDY AND EXAMINATIONS

 

1. Application by Institution/Authority to the Central Council:

Institutions or authorities responsible for conducting pharmacist education programs or examinations must apply to the Central Council for approval.

 

2. Inspection:

Upon receiving such applications, the Central Council dispatches inspectors to assess whether the institution meets the stipulated training and examination facilities outlined in the Education Regulations. These inspectors may also attend examinations to evaluate their standards without interfering with the exam's administration. The inspectors subsequently provide a report to the Council, outlining the adequacy of the institution's facilities and the standards of the conducted examinations.

 

3. Approval:

If the Central Council is satisfied, based on the inspectors' reports, that the institution's course or examination complies with ER, approval is granted. Such approved courses and examinations are deemed eligible for pharmacist registration under the Act.

4. Declaration:

The declaration of approval is made through resolutions passed at a Central Council meeting and is subsequently published in the official Gazette. All authorities conducting approved courses or examinations in the states must provide any information requested by the Central Council from time to time.