Five universities cleared to offer Pharm-D programme

PCP rejects applications of five other institutions seeking to offer pharmacy degree

ISLAMABAD: The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) has given the green light to five academic institutions to offer Pharm-D and 18 institutions to grant pharmacy technician certificates.

Pharm-D is a six-year programme which combines Bachelors in Pharmacy and Masters in Pharmacy programmes. It is a masters degree for professionals of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sector.



While allowing the institutions to offer the programme, the council has taken steps to strictly regulate and monitor institutions imparting pharmacy education, revision of curriculum of pharmacy education in line with international standards, drafting a road map to build the professional status of pharmacists and amendment in the Pharmacy Act 1967.

The PCP meeting was held in the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination in Islamabad and was chaired by PCP President Dr Asad Hafeez.

PCP is the regulatory body established under Pharmacy Act 1967 to regulate the practice of pharmacy and education of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The PCP mandate is to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of patients and the public who use pharmaceutical services in Pakistan.

During its meeting on Wednesday, the council allowed the Benazir Bhutto University in Lyari, the Liaquat University of Sciences and Technology in Jamshoro, the University of Poonch in Rawalakot, the Akson College of Pharmacy in Mirpur and the Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan to offer Pharm-D programmes.



About 55 universities and colleges across the country, both public and private, are already offering degrees and courses in pharmacy.

The council, however, deferred a decision to allow five other universities to offer Pharm-D programme and seven colleges to offer pharmacy technician certificates.

It also rejected accreditation of two institutes offering pharmacy technician programme.

The council also approved a pre-inspection and inspection performa for Pharm-D and postgraduate programmes which will be adopted for inspections of pharmacy institutes.

The council also deliberated upon Pharmacy Act 1967and decided that 50 years after there is a need to amend the act to update the academic standards as per the emerging standards.

Meanwhile, the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar reiterated her support to council for uplifting the pharmacy profession. Tarar said she would back every bold decision of PCP to ensure quality education in Pakistan.

The minister added that the council should develop a pool of inspectors to inspect pharmacy institutes in Pakistan. She hoped that the measure would curb the mushroom growth of pharmacy schools in the country and raise the quality of education in accredited institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2017.