Dear Pharmacists!
I am immensely pleased to receive response mail of Pakistan Pharmacist Federation. secondly; thanks for involving me in this critical issue of pharmacy profession; extension of Pharm-D. The main thing which needs to be kept in mind that Phram-D is a bachelor degree not a doctorate degree. We know that lots of changes are taking place in many countries but at the same time we are ignoring the countries having 4 years pharmacy degree. Before referring to countries, mentioned in the mail. There are countries have three types of pharmacists (A, B, C)? Is somebody having the data about the pharmacy graduates going abroad and those unemployed in the country?
Question is not getting job abroad but to enhance the practice skills of pharmacist….this is only possible through appropriate experiential training
We are against the addition of 6th year because of the following.
1- It is unstructured. – (this is doable)
2- It will open the door of corruption, students will give money to take the certificates from the organizations, affiliated by the Pakistan Pharmacy Council. This is just a manageable and controllable fear.
3- Doctors are also having residency but it is paid and after registering with their council, but it will be other way round in our country. This is again doable/ ambiguous.
There are many things more but I don’t want to write a lengthy mail. Hope that before having any decision, policy makers should acquire the required data about the current status of pharmacists within the country. We should produce pharmacists as per need of the country.
I hope these emails, scientific reports and comments will influence the people making curriculum to take justified steps. The curriculum should be need-based and duly endorsed by experts. People involved in such business have their vested interests, whereas, any change or addition in curriculum needs to be done for the nation rather the people themselves.
The additional one year training is being made mandatory for getting registration in category A. Another distressing thing that the pharmacist community is silent on the procedure of preregistration in category B, every pharmacist working in Health Department is recommending five person every year by taking Rs 20.000/ person. Please address this issue also, and then we will also support the council.
Moreover; Not only me, the whole faculty of pharmacy signed the document showing the seriousness of the irrational changes in curriculum.
Regards
Dr. Khalid Hussain PhD; Uniersity School of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. hussain761@hotmail.com