Dear Pharmacist Friends!
I totally agree with the kind opinion of Dr Khalid Hussain. Addition of another year is absolutely useless. After graduation I worked as demonstrator but wouldn’t I get it after B Pharm? I was at the same place same at same pay at the place where people with four years degree were already working there. My fifth year seemed like a waste. If I would have started an year ago..I could have one years experience. One year spent at job AFTER graduation is far better.
I wanted to get register in UK n my plan is delayed a year because only requirement is pharmacy degree n registration with Punjab council. What will happen with those who undertake six years I degree. They wouldn’t get their registration and will get stuck?
My request is to please let students free after four years and then allow them to do what they want to. In UK pre registration training is PAID and pay is fixed by NHS (18,000 pounds per year approx.) and that money is paid to PRIVATE companies and pharmacy owners by NHS and rate is changed every year in drug tariff. Is there any provision like that in Pakistan?
And above all, what about those parents and students who pass their time in hope of getting productive and step in professional life as soon as possible. They would not be able to wait for sixth unpaid year. Result would be, people will no more like to go to Pharmacy Schools and how is it helping Profession?
Solution can be a basic four years degree and then segregation for clinical Pharm D followed by residency and on another hand who want to leave after 4 years degree, they should leave. With current copy-paste approach for curriculum, neither supporter for clinical pharmacy nor for basic sciences is happy. Our Pharmacy curriculum should be designed keeping in mind strictly the situation in Pakistan.
Regards
M A Shafique; London UK