About Institute

Pharmacists are higher salaried professionals in US and other foreign countries, where pharmacists are allowed to practice clinical pharmacy. They have statutory system in which patient is diagnosed by physicians or doctors (which are there exact responsibility not to prescribe drugs) and then the patient sent ahead to pharmacist with diagnosis report. Pharmacist is allowed to prescribe the patient and normally who charge more than physician. Average salary in USA is 40‐50 or more USD per hour in beginning.

In India also the same course called as “Pharm D” was introduced for the academic year 2008‐2009. The Pharmacy Council of India is the apex body controlling the course. Although to date there is not an exact re-organization of clinical pharmacy in India but it is sure that one has the greatest & the brightest career in US after clearing the NAPLEX and may be in future in India there will be higher prospectus for the course.

The basic requirement for pharmacists to be considered for registration is undergraduate or postgraduate Pharmacy degree from a recognized university. In most countries this involves a four‐ or Six year course to attain a Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.). In the United States, students graduating after Jan 1, 2003 must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree to become a licensed pharmacist; this requires completion of four years at an accredited college of pharmacy (most students applying for admission into a college of pharmacy already have an undergraduate degree; however, many schools admit students after completion of 2 years of undergraduate pharmacy prerequisites or directly from high school into a six‐year accelerated program). Any person holding a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy who graduated before this date is grandfathered and can register.

Thus, in USA the legal requirements of becoming a pharmacist include graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, serving an internship under a licensed pharmacist, and passing a state (NAPLEX) and law exam. The designation Pharm D is often likened to a PhD degree, however in actuality it is an advanced degree that became the standard of practice for graduates of pharmacy schools around the turn of the 21st century (2001). The former degree was a Bachelor of Pharmacy and required slightly less schooling and different curriculum. Due to the changes to health care in today’s society and the increasing need for counseling and medication maintenance, pharmacists have taken on a larger role as clinicians. This increased in the need for accessible health care information for consumers has led to great strides in the field of pharmacy. One result of this has been a change in the way pharmacy schools structure their curriculum as well as an advanced doctorate degree, which further sets the pharmacist apart as a trusted ally in a patient’s health care treatment regimen.

In fact, pharmacists consistently rank as one of the most trusted professionals in today’s society. This degree requires the completion of at least five years of post‐secondary schooling but usually requires at least 6‐8 years at present time, depending on which state you live in and the pharmacy school which you attend. The former degree obtained upon completion of pharmacy school was a Bachelor in Pharmacy or BS and pharmacists with this designation were given the title RPh. In the USA, pharmacists who acquire a Pharm D degree are legally allowed to add the prefix “Dr.” before his / her name. Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.

To provide patient care in cooperation with patients, prescribers, and other members of an inter‐professional health care team based upon sound therapeutics principles and evidence‐based data, taking into account relevant legal, ethical, social cultural, economic and professional issues, emerging technologies, and evolving biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, or behavioral or administrative, and clinical sciences that may impart therapeutic outcomes.

To manage and use resources of health care system, in co‐operation with patients, prescribers and other health care providers and administrative and supportive personnels, to promote health; to provide, assess, and coordinate safe, accurate, and time sensitive medication distribution; and to improve therapeutic outcomes of medication use.

To promote health improvement, wellness, and disease prevention in co‐operation with patients, communities, at‐risk population and other members of an inter‐professional team of health care providers.

To demonstrate skills in monitoring of the National Health Programmes and schemes, oriented to provide preventive and promotive health care services to the community.

To develop leadership qualities to function effectively as a member of health care team organized to deliver the health and family welfare services in existing socio‐economic, political and cultural environment.

To communicate effectively with patients and the community.

Total 70 institutes are offering the Pharm. D course in India. The institutes are belonging to private sector except in the state of Maharashtra. The state of Maharashtra, courtesy the Government of Maharashtra has been the forefront of reform in Pharmacy education. The innovative step and a lead role of starting the Pharm. D course at Government College of Pharmacy at Aurangabad and Amravati, reflects the proactive vision of Government of Maharashtra to render quality service to the health care sector for the community in large.