The implementation of one year residency in sales, industry, hospitals and retail pharmacies after getting 5 years degree – after F.Sc and BSc –has been made mandatory for getting registration as a pharmacist from provincial pharmacy councils. This extra one year residency for which the structure is not available has disappointed students, parents and academia. Therefore, being a General Secretary of Pharmacy Federation, I have come across pharmacists, academia, students and parents.
As a result, I have decided to knock the door of courts to provide justice to public at large. The reservations received from people from different walks of life are given as follows:
1 The implementation of one year residency mandatory for registration as a pharmacist is violation of Section 25 of the Pharmacy Act 1976 which states as follows:
“Qualifications for registration as a pharmacist or as an apprentice in pharmacy.-(1) The following persons shall, subject to the provision of sub-section (3), be qualified for registration as pharmacists under this Act, namely; (a) persons who hold a degree in pharmacy conferred by a University or an institution affiliated thereto, where the degree is recognized by the Central Council. Subsection states as: No person shall be qualified for registration as a Pharmacist or as an apprentice in pharmacy- (a) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court; or (b) if he has been convicted by a court of any offence which in the opinion of the Provincial Council involves moral turpitude”.
2 The practice of pharmacy- patient intervention at hospital and dispensing of medicine at retail pharmacy of an un-registered pharmacist falls under first degree of quackery which certainly be fatal to public.
3 Likewise, to perform the duty of pharmacist in industry – production, quality control and quality assurance by an un-registered pharmacist is unlawful.
4 It will deprive pharmacy graduates from getting jobs in Government and public sector form a chance of getting jobs through Public Service Commission because registration as a pharmacist is needed for illegibility.
5 A good number of pharmacy graduates going abroad to appear in various examinations to practice pharmacy outside Pakistan, has to wait for one year after getting degree. It will deprive them to start their careers and compete in international market. Even foreign universities, in particular clinical pharmacy involving patient intervention, require pharmacy registration for higher education. Hence, it is a hindrance for graduates seeking admissions abroad.
6 At present, a good number of foreign and children of expatriates Pakistanis will have to stay in the country for one year for getting registration from provincial pharmacy councils. I will not only discourage foreigners to join pharmacy institutions but affect the ranking of universities. After passing the 5 year course processing study visa, who will hold the responsibility of getting one year stay (visa) in Pakistan?
7 It will open a door of corruption/unemployment/social evils because to get one year residency in the absence of laws governing this residency at par with MBBS. It is pertinent to mention here that medical graduates start house job after getting registration with PMDC. Instead of earning livelihood, pharmacy graduates have to pay bribery to various organizations recognized by Pakistan Pharmacy Council for getting certificate of residency.
8 The academicians have raised this matter at various forms (copies attached).
9 The Pharmacy Council is implementing the extra one year residency by threating institutions that if the curriculum is not implemented the affiliation will be cancelled/suspended See page NO. 175 at https://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/AECA/CurriculumRevision/
10 Documents/Draft-Pharmacy-2011.pdf. It worth-mentioning that the approval of curriculum is approved by various statuary bodies such as Board of Studies, Board of Faculties, Academic Council and Syndicate of universities.
11 The Board of Studies of a parent university in Pharmacy after lengthy discussion has not approved the curriculum. The concerns of respected members which are eye opening are attached herewith. It is stated in minutes of the meeting that the draft of curriculum displayed on HEC website is different than the one in-press.
12 The placement of subjects in Pharmacy Practice is not the same to being taught in renowned international universities.
13 The Pharmacy Council and HEC have witnessed at Page No. 175 https://www.hec.gov.pk/
14 InsideHEC/Divisions/AECA/CurriculumRevision/Documents/Draft-Pharmacy-2011.pdf that effort will be made to start the pharmacy services in Hospitals. If pharmacy services are not available then why residency is being made mandatory.
In the light of above facts, it is humbly prayed that this one year residency should not be mandatory for registration. Furthermore, there is no need to implement it unless it is not structured and paid.
HEC and Pharmacy Council of Pakistan should review the curriculum by constituting a committee having all the stakeholders and experts in the field.
Professor Dr. Khalid Hussain PhD (Pharm. Chemistry), University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore-54000, Pakistan.