The president of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Dr Suresh Bhojraj, has resigned from the post on November 24 on health grounds. His term was to end in August 2023. Dr Suresh has been the president of the Council for the last 18 years.
He has tendered his resignation letter to the Registrar-cum-Secretary advising her to carry out office proceedings as per the Pharmacy Act 1948. Later, he sent one letter to the recently elected vice-president of the Council urging him to coordinate with the secretary for Council’s activities in the absence of the president.
When contacted, registrar-cum-secretary of the Council Archana Mudugal said she was informed of his decision to step down from the position on November 24 itself. She said the vice-president is now looking after the responsibilities of the Council president.
Sources close to Dr Suresh said he announced his decision to quit the post of president on November 24 midnight just to avoid discouraging requests from his fraternity and he disseminated the information about his stepping down from PCI to all whatsapp groups of PCI members and pharmacists. He assured in his message to all that he would remain as a ‘passionate pharmacist’ and continue as a dedicated pharmacy teacher. Currently, he is Pro-Chancellor of the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research in Mysuru.
Dr Suresh was first elected president of the PCI in 2003. He was the first academician elected to the post of Council president when he was acting as the president of the Tamil Nadu State Pharmacy Council in 2003. Later, in 2008 and in 2013 he was unanimously elected to the top post. In 2018 he was elected through ballot. The present vice-president was the opposite candidate.
During his 18 years period as PCI president, Dr Suresh brought out many education regulations and modifications that have fundamentally altered the pharmacy education in the country. Through publication of uniform pharmacy education policies integrating regulations for the graduate and post-graduate courses, B Pharm and M Pharm, he brought a common pattern for teaching and learning system for all institutions and universities in the country with a view to increase the standard of the education.
His major achievements include the various education regulations he introduced to streamline the pharmacy education and pharmacy practice in the country. In 2008, he introduced the Pharm D Education Regulations 2008 for the six-year and the three year (post Baccalaureate) Pharm D programmes. Followed by it, the doctoral pharmacy programme was launched in India. In 2015, the PCI introduced the Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015 which empowers the professional pharmacists in healthcare delivery. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm) Course Regulations 2014, Minimum Qualification for Teachers in Pharmacy Institutions Regulations 2014 and M Pharmacy (M Pharm) Course Regulations 2014 were introduced in the year 2014. Before the introduction of these regulations, B Pharm and M Pharm courses were regulated by regulations introduced by various universities. In September 2020 the council notified the Education Regulations for Diploma Course in Pharmacy 2020 after withdrawing the ER 1991. Finally in 2021, the PCI has notified the D Pharm Ext Exam Regulations, 2018. The new office building at Noida near Delhi was constructed two years ago was a landmark achievement for the PCI.
Responding to the news of his resignation, the president of the Tamil Nadu Pharmacy Council, J Jayaseelan said in addition to his health issues the interventionism of certain Central council members have also prompted him to resign.
