Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) in
India has created a huge hike on young pharmacists, expecting the future is
much better than the other branches of pharmacy. Pharm.D's syllabus is we framed
with lot of debates and observations from the developed world to provide a
competent clinical pharmacist for the better health care in India. See the
syllabus the other health care professionals were excited to see the
practicality of this course in their work place. But, theoretically Pharm.D has
made a huge impact on the developed nations and developing nations to adopt the
India Pharm.D syllabus a standard one to practice in their own countries. To
the same, the Indian Pharm.D has many pitfalls in practicality, which is hard
to answer the route cause. For instance, a competent clinical pharmacist needed
more practical training which need much focus on patient care by training them
in the wards and engaging them in all the activities that can make them to
learn how to implement the clinical pharmacy and collaborative work with other
health professionals. Due to lack of competitive faculties the scope of
bed-side teaching was negligible. Its fact, when Pharm.D students enter into
the wards, they see the nursing staff training their nurses, Doctors training
their medicos but Pharm.D students were relaying on the medical doctors to
provide some support as the faculties never likely to participate in the
bed-side teaching and working with the health professionals in the wards.
Increasing number of colleges
increased the demand of Pharm.D admission, but there is none to answer the practicality
of their roles and jobs. Disparities in training and unsuccessful competencies
with poor health care acceptance kept the Pharm.D's into dilemma. Furthermore,
it also made a lot of confusion among the student minds and unable to fulfill
their dreams. For instance, course such as
Pharmacoepidemiology and clinical research were elaborative in syllabus,
but faculties unable to engage them in any activities such visiting clinical research
sites, engaging them in some pharmacovigilance activities. Furthermore, the
organizations well focusing on conferences for showoff and unnecessary hikes
over the Pharm.D without know the practical barriers faced by the students. For
instance, there are many pharmacy organizations inviting the international
delegates to participate in the national and international conferences, but
unable to engage the Indian Pharm.D's to get trained in overseas.
Now the number of Pharm.D's increasing
and coming out with any vision. This is because of lack of planning and support
from the Pharmacy board. This situation is especially burning in southern
states where the number of colleges are more than that of other parts of India.
All colleges promising to give admission but unable to secure them in jobs. The
student associations such as "IPSF", and "IPA-SF" etc., are
focusing on conferences and international fame rather to supporting the local
Pharm.D students. The silence answers from the pharmacy leaders increasing the
tensions in the student mind. There is much more needed to work at ground level,
focusing on providing standard practical training rather basic theoretical
knowledge, providing a scope and hope on the Pharm.D's for securing the jobs is
crucial.
In conclusion, Pharm.D's are
currently in great frustration and needed support from all phases for the
future of clinical pharmacy in India. Further, clinical pharmacy is a practice
of patient care through pharmaceutical care. If the theoretical knowledge can
fulfill the dream then we are in world of delusion.
by
Dr.Akshaya Srikanth, Pharm.D
Pharm.D India
by
Dr.Akshaya Srikanth, Pharm.D
Pharm.D India
