[india-drug] Pharm.D course In India (2)

["Geeta Pradeep" <geeta_pradeep@hotmail.com>]

Pharm.D course In India (2)
***************************

Dear All,

I too think that the decision to initiate PharmD in India is a laudable  one  and all those who are closely involved in the work need to  be  congratulated  for taking this landmark move which can open up a lot of doors to our pharmacy graduates and postgraduates aspiring for a career in pharmacy abroad.

However, what is this going to do for those who intend to seek out  career  options  in  India  itself?  As  of now, I think Pharmacy Practice (still in a fledgling status here) has served to help provide an  entry  for our students in Clinical Research or Regulatory Affairs etc  etc if not opportunities abroad in the gulf or elsewhere. I doubt that  there  are  many  pharmacy  students who are able to utilize the patient care skills they have learned in a clinical environment due to the simple fact that they have no openings there. None of the students are interested  in  pursuing  a  career  in  patient  care/ community practice etc etc because these options which all our professionals vy for in the developed nations are hardly   available  in  our country!!!! Of  course, I welcome anyone who feels  differently to educate me if I am in error!

Will this PharmD help open doors for pharmacy graduates/ postgraduates within their own country? Will those who have this degree be able to get themselves employed in Indian healthcare institutions also??? We should have this course definitely but it should not be only to make sure that our students find successful careers  abroad but the opportunities should exist equally if not more in their country!!!

I  hope  that  the  members  of  the  think  tank involved in bringing  about this monumentous change in pharmacy academics here can also bring about the same changes which will get this doctorate degree really working for our country rather than on foreign shores!!!

Regards,

Ms. Geeta Pradeep, M.Pharm
Research Scholar & faculty
Dept. of Pharmacy Practice
Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy
Bangalore.