Last Updated on December 31, 2023 by The Health Master
Quality of Pharmacy Education
The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of pharmacy education and fostering a skilled workforce for the industry.
This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, while also enriching the curriculum of pharmacy courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Building a Competent Workforce:
To cultivate the necessary soft skills in students, the MoU emphasizes the importance of providing pharmacy teachers with exposure to real-world industrial settings.
In the initial phase, 35 teachers underwent training, which took place between November 2021 and January 2022.
The training programs were conducted at prominent facilities including Lupin, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Torrent, DRL, Aurobindo, and Zydus Lifesciences.
The next phase, currently in the planning stage with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), aims to scale up this initiative to include 300 teachers.
Curriculum Enrichment and Industrial Expectations:
By partnering with IPA, the Pharmacy Council of India intends to enhance the curriculum of pharmacy courses to align with the expectations and requirements of the industry.
This collaborative effort recognizes the need to equip students with the knowledge and skills demanded by the pharmaceutical sector.
Through this alliance, the IPA, which consists of 24 leading pharmaceutical companies accounting for over 80 percent of drug exports and serving more than half of the domestic market, aims to contribute to the development of a competent pharmacy workforce.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The implementation and monitoring of the MoU will be overseen by the President of the Pharmacy Council of India and the Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.
Both entities are committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and ensuring the delivery of safe and effective pharmaceutical care.
Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap:
Sudarshan Jain, General Secretary of IPA, emphasized the importance of upgrading pharmaceutical courses to address the evolving landscape of the industry.
To narrow the gap between theory and practice, this collaboration offers pharmacy teachers the opportunity to gain experiential immersion in industrial settings.
The teachers will visit IPA member-companies to acquire practical exposure, while IPA representatives will visit universities to deliver lectures, if necessary. Currently, 30 teachers have already completed this training.
Promoting Quality Standards:
In addition to its focus on education, the IPA supports regulatory authorities in their efforts to ensure continuous surveillance and enforcement of rules to maintain quality standards.
It advocates for global convergence of regulatory standards to facilitate improved access to affordable and quality-assured medicines.
Conclusion:
The partnership between the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and the Pharmacy Council of India marks a significant step towards enhancing pharmacy education and developing a skilled workforce.
By providing exposure to real-world industrial environments, enriching the curriculum, and promoting regulatory standards, this collaboration strives to bridge the gap between theory and practice and equip students with the skills necessary for success in the pharmaceutical industry.
Click to read complete series Chapter 1 to 13 on India and Pharmacy Education
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