Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by The Health Master
Pharmacy Profession:
The recent notification issued by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) on June 19, 2023, has been warmly received by professionals in the pharmaceutical regulatory, industry, and academic sectors.
This notification clarifies that the pharmacy profession is independent and should not be categorized as a paramedical profession.
Furthermore, it emphasizes that pharmaceutical education and pharmacy courses should not be associated with paramedical education, as they have their own distinct standing.
Notification Ends Confusion:
Experts from various sectors of pharmacy acknowledge that the PCI’s notification regarding the status of pharmacy education and the profession resolves all lingering confusions and dilemmas that have existed since the inception of the profession.
In recent years, with the cessation of the All India Council for Technical Education’s (AICTE) role in regulating pharmacy education, it has evolved into a non-technical discipline.
Consequently, the pharmacy profession has emerged as an exclusive healthcare field, contributing significantly to healthcare management.
Key Points from the PCI’s Notification:
The notification issued by the PCI establishes that the pharmacy profession in India is regulated by the council, which operates as a statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
Its primary responsibilities include regulating pharmacy education for pharmacist registration and overseeing the practice of pharmacy in the country.
Thus, the pharmacy profession should not be considered part of the paramedical service.
Separating Pharmacy Education from Paramedical Courses:
The PCI’s notification also emphasizes that the educational programs conducted by the council should not be associated with paramedical education or bundled with paramedical courses.
Since the pharmacy profession is independent in itself, it does not fall within the paramedical group.
This clarification aims to establish the unique status and identity of the pharmacy profession within the healthcare sector.
Conclusion:
The recent notification by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has brought clarity to the status of the pharmacy profession, affirming its independence and separating it from the paramedical category.
This clarification has been welcomed by professionals in pharmaceutical regulation, industry, and academia, as it resolves long-standing confusions surrounding pharmacy education and practice.
The recognition of pharmacy as a distinct healthcare field underscores its unique contribution to the healthcare sector and calls for its separate recognition as a vital profession
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