The Chairperson and Executive Director,

Higher Education Commission,

Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Subject:           IRRATIONAL APPROACH IN THE PREPARATION OF CURRICULUM OF PHARMACY EDUCATION (PHARM.D)

Sir,

We highly appreciate the initiative taken by your good office regarding the up-dating of Pharmacy curriculum to bring it abreast with international standard. However, we feel our earnest and sincerer concerns to bring facts into your kind notice before preparing a curriculum for the incoming generations.

1-     A meeting was arranged by Pakistan Pharmacy Council on April 19 – 21, 2010 in collaboration with the World Health Organization for the revision of curriculum that ended with the decision “Pharmacy Curriculum will be devised into 4 areas viz Basic Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Practices and Allied Subjects, and contents of different courses will be framed later in consultation with academia”.  Till date, no such meeting has been convened the Secretary of Pakistan Pharmacy Council to give a final shape to the Pharmacy Curriculum draft in the light of wisdom collected in the aforesaid meeting. We have been waiting for continuity of efforts made in that meeting, instead, the council maneuvered to design a draft copy without getting input from academia/participants of that meeting and convinced HEC authorities to get the approval at the HEC forum by inviting people of their own choice ignoring the subject specialists and maintaining the ratio of experts of different disciplines.

2-     The curriculum being taught at present was developed in hurray along with the change in the name of degree (4 years B. Pharmacy to 5 years Pharm-D). This change was made considering national as well as international needs.  Actually, it is neither fulfilling requirements/standards at national nor international levels. This has led to a lot of criticism and much has been written against this curriculum in various international journals of pharmacy education and pharmacy practices. Nevertheless, Pharm-D degree was criticized as “Tag not a degree”. Among the main reasons, the most important was the constitution of the committee (28 members), most of them were non academicians or having only B. Pharmacy degree.

3-     Today (Feb 28, 2011) in the ongoing meeting in HEC regional office Lahore, the representation is again irrational. It is having 9 members from the Pharmacy Council, whereas only 1 member has been invited from each university. Moreover, retired personnel working as heads of private pharmacy departments or universities have been included among the participants. Surely, these people cannot contribute against the will and wish of Pakistan Pharmacy Council because they have to get accreditation from the council. As well there is hardly any expert in the field of Pharmacognosy present in the meeting.

It is therefore, requested to restructure the committee for the revision of the curriculum having proper representation of experts in various disciplines of Pharmacy, and there should be least contribution of Pharmacy Council members so that academia and other stake holders can give their independent opinion instead of putting thumb impression on the draft of the Pharmacy Council.

Revision of curriculum at international standard will help in the recognition of our degree and graduates to work and get higher education abroad.

Yours Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad President Pakistan Pharmacists Association (Punjab), Professor of Pharmacology, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Hussain Staff Secretary,  University College of Pharmacy University of the Punjab, Lahore.

Mr. Furqan K. Hashmi General Secretary (Pakistan Pharmacist Association), General Secretary (Pakistan Pharmacy Education Society) University College of Pharmacy University of the Punjab, Lahore.

C.C

1-         Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Lahore.

2-         President Pakistan Pharmacy Council, Islamabad.

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.

Dear All,

It’s a matter of great pleasure that pharmacy council of Pakistan is up-dating the curricula of Pharm-D (5 degree program), being pursued in all the institutions of pharmacy in the country. Different views have been received by all of us. Some people are trying to be over smart in protecting the view point of the council, ignoring the interest and benefits of the pharmacist in general and pharmacy profession in particular. I am not sure about the mother institute and present work place. But whole work indicates the trying to drag unnecessarily politics into the curriculum issue.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad stated that we are all pharmacists and stand united firmly to protect and up-lift the profession of pharmacy without playing politics and won’t let others to play. Myself and all the learned pharmacists have already shown our grave concern and resentment regarding the present draft of curriculum. We expect the same feeling and attitude of the pharmacy community. We are fully committed to defend against the any illegal/ unlawful damaging step of pharmacy council. We are fully aware through the kindness of many of our friends, who are members of the council, that some members are playing tricks to gain benefits after their retirement and also mint money during their membership tenure by illegally forcing the institutes in the private sector. We might knock the door of the court for getting justice for pharmacists.

Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter). Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad is president Pakistan Pharmacist Association (Pb.) address the current issue of 18^th International Pharmacy Conference & Exhibition (IPCE) 2013; entitled “Role of Pharmacist in Health System Strengthening” on behalf of Pakistan Pharmacist Association. He stated that the time frame defined in the article of association for an elected executive body is two years. This tenure is already over in 2011. Thus; the conference declared by Pakistan Pharmacist Association centre is an explicit violation of Article of Association, professional norms and ethical values. Hence, he has not only refused to participate/ contribute in the conference, but also rejected this illegal, unprincipled and unethical course of actions.

This brave and daring decision of respected president of Pakistan Pharmacist Association (Pb.) Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad is warmly welcomed by Dr. Tahir Farooq president Pharmacist Alliance (0300 960 0118); Dr. M. Rizwan Senior Executive Pakistan Academy of Pharmacist (0304 444 1738); Dr. Taha Nazir president Pakistan Pharmacist Federation (0321 222 0885); M. Waseem Senior Executive Progressive Pharmacist (0321 617 1967).

Moreover; Prof. Dr. Khalid Hussain (Chairman Event & Excursion) University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore; Prof. Dr. Nadeem Irfan Bukhari (Chairman Scientific) University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab; Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal (Co-Chairman Hospital Pharmacist) has highly appreciated the decision of president Pakistan Pharmacist Association.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad B.Pharm, M.Phil (Pharmacology), Ph.D (Pharmacology), Post Doctoral Fellowship currently is a pharmacist, clinical scientist, teacher, and international expert in the discipline of Clinical Pharmacology. Currently he is serving as Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore (New Campus), 1 – KM Raiwind Road, Lahore, since 3^rd July 2012 to todate. He completed his B.Pharm and M.Pharm from Pharmacy Department, University of Punjab in 1972 and 1974 respectively. He got his Ph.D. degree from Welsh School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University, Wales, UK in 1988. He did his Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NIDA/INVEST) from U.S.A from December 1995 to December 1996.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad has served as Head of Pharmacology and Physiology Division Pharmacy Department Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan (Oct 1976 to May 2012). Additionally he served as Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy University of the Punjab, Lahore from April 2010 to May 2012. He joined Pharmacy Department Punjab University in 1974 as Demonstrator. He worked as Lecturer from October 1976 to November 1990, then promoted as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Pharmacy Department, P.U. Lahore on Nov 1990. He also served as Associate Professor of Pharmacology, from August 1991 to November 2000, until he was named as Professor of Pharmacology, Pharmacy Department, P.U. Lahore. He also worked as Hospital Pharmacist in Ministry of Health Benghazi, Libya (March 1979 to February 1983). He is widely known as an advocate for therapeutics-related research, from basic science to health policy research.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad is the author of more than 100 research papers, the majority related to Pharmacokinetics/ Pharmacodynamics. Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad is an accomplished teacher and mentor of doctor of pharmacy students and residents, infectious diseases fellows and infectious diseases specialty pharmacist residents. He is the recipient of many teaching awards. He lectures worldwide on the safe, effective use of antimicrobials and other medications. You may reach him at Tel.: 04235321460; E.: dr_b_ahmad@hotmail.com, ahmadbprof@gmail.com.

Pharmaceutical Review (Reporter). Prof. Dr. Khalid Hussain University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore has refused to participate in the 18^th International Pharmacy Conference & Exhibition (IPCE) 2013. He was appointed as Chairman Event & Excursion by Pakistan Pharmacist Association. Prof. Dr. Nadeem Irfan Bukhari University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore also refused participates and works as Chairman Scientific. These respected legends of pharmacy professions disclosed the reasons of refusal as under;

1                 This is not prerogative privilege of this so called executive body of Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA).

2                 They don’t have mandate to chair or organize this event on behalf of Pakistan Pharmacist Association. The last election of PPA was held in September, 2009. Thus; their officially permitted tenure of two years has over. They also have already enjoyed one illegal, unethical and unprincipled extra bonus year along with regular session. Which is an explicit violation of “article of association” and professional norms. Thus; it is strongly recommended to announce the election schedule instead of this 18^th International Pharmacy Conference & Exhibition (IPCE) 2013.

3                 Ex- President PPA Mr. Khalid Saeed Bukhari has already told that the Pharm-D is five year degree program. They will not incorporate/ impose the one year extra residency/ training. But; he has dishonored his commitment and this one year residency has been mentioned in currently updated Pharm-D curriculum.

Moreover; certain other pharmacists appointed at miscellaneous positions for this conference disclosed that there name has been put into so called agenizing committee without there consent. No one has contact them officially/ formally to get their consent.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, and Prof. Gul Majeed Chairman Dept. of Pharmacy, Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, (Chairman Guest Relations 18^th International Pharmacy Conference & Exhibition 2013) also stated that they don’t have plan to participate in this conference on ethical and personal grounds/ reasons.