HRD Ministery under Prakash Javadekar reportedly has agreed that there should be only one regulating authority for pharmacy education. As per reports minister has agreed to remove Pharmacy from definition of technical education.
Update: Supreme court orders in march 2020 that pharmacy ACT will prevail over AICTE. So now only PCI will regulate pharmacy. Now reference to pharmacy as technical education will be removed.
Supreme Court Order On PCI and AICTE Approval; Its Impact
Currently Pharmacy Institute require approval from AICTE and PCI both. AICTE act defines pharmacy as technical education. If Act is amended and pharmacy is removed from definition of technical education then only PCI will regulate the pharmacy education in country. Colleges will no longer require AICTE approval. Status and work nature of pharmacist in India will be decided by rules and regulations of Pharmacy Council Of India only .
There could be some Pro and cons of this step. On the positive side it can be said that the regulation from multiple authorities have hampered the pharmacy education. Pharmacy curriculum and jurisdiction have been bone of contention between the two organisations. Institutes find it cumbersome to meet the separate criteria of both the authorities. When PCI become the sole regulating authority this issue will cease to exist.
On the other hand many pharmacists feel that PCI is not well structured to take these responsibilities. They feel that there should be single authority but not in current form. They are in favour of reconstitution of PCI and its management rules to make it more transparent and accountable. It is widely felt that PCI officers have developed vested interest with the institutes, this has lead to the stagnation of pharmacy education, and negatively impacted pharmacy status in India. For example PCI makes lame excuses when they are suggested to stop outdated diploma in near future and to continue with better professional education system.
Pharmagang’s Take: Pharmagang team is in favour of single regulating authority but that authority should be transparent and accountable It should represent the pharmacist from various fields and should be able to accommodate young mind. Single Authority should dedicatedly work for improving pharmacy education, pharmacy reputation, and implementation of pharmacy laws.
Lets see if this proposal going to be implemented soon, and if PCI is also reconstituted to implement its responsibilities in more transparent and efficient way. We will update on the issue whenever things move ahead.
PCI is not sufficient to monitor the Pharmacy course curriculum. We don’t want to separate us from AICTE act & laws by any circumstances. Pharmacy is a technical course and it will be continue in coming future for future prospect of Pharmacy profession.
We request to all governing bodies, that please keep continue to PCI & AICTE work together for Pharmacy future.
AICTE has no on ein their staff having knowledge of ABC about pharmacy , it is only aim is extortion,corruption
What about PCI, are not they corrupt?
What happen during inspections?
Single Regulatory body is more viable to upgrade the pharmacy profession as it is health care profession.. PCI has to improve its standard to upgrade pharmacy profession in India
https://pharmagang.com/supreme-court-order-on-pci-and-aicte-approval-impact/
Aicte provides scholarship and fellowship for post graduation and doctorate degree plus aicte ugc dbt others provide project fund. PCI has no funding capacity or ability. They will ruin further. Pharmaceutical technology is more than just drug store… formulation is totally technical part and need instrumental knowledge of engg. And process. Much similar to biotechnology. Higher studies will be affected and have no future if PCI become only regulatory body. PCI is not fully defined by govt.