The Government of India under the direction of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is in the process of finalizing the Pharmacy Practice Regulation which will mandate all hospitals to set up departments of clinical pharmacy manned by Pharm D graduates.
When Pharm.D was introduced in India in 2008 and there was a big question on the employment opportunities for those who complete this course. Hospital Pharmacy was (and is) a not so preferred job option by Pharmacy graduates due to the remuneration and the scenario was dreadful for those who will complete Pharm.D. Regulations made it mandatory that Pharmacy outlets should have a Pharmacist to dispense drugs but the real picture is that many Pharmacies, even in metros, are run by non-pharmacy people (sometimes a high school drop out dispenses drug).
Pharmacy graduates simply rent out their certificates to these shops and make a physical presence in case of an inspection. The blame is not on those who run the shops but the Pharmacists who make a hue and cry that there is unemployment and low salary.
With the introduction of the Pharmacy Practice Regulation, PCI may make an attempt to justify its stand in introducing Pharm.D course in India to take Pharmaceutical education in India to world standards. But what about the thousands of Pharmacists in the country with a Diploma or Degree in Pharmacy. A release stated "Pharm D will be the minimum qualification to seek postings at the departments of clinical pharmacy in hospitals"
Is this going to help the Pharmacist community or is it going to make things even worse? Most students in Pharmacy are aware of job options only in Marketing, Manufacturing, Teaching and Research. Clinical Research boom created a new career option but these days a fresher getting a job in a CRO is next to impossible. Also there is an influx from Medical doctors with M.B.B.S who are ready to work as CRAs or in Clinical Data Managment and Pharmacovigilance. So Pharmacists are still left with minimal job opportunities. Pharmacists hardly look for Government jobs (do not ask me the reason!)
PCI and the Government should consider improving the status of Hospital Pharmacy and also create more job opportunities for Pharmacists in both public and private sector.
