Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com) Professor Dr. Bashir Ahmad (Professor of pharmacology, University of the Punjab, Lahore) president Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA) Punjab, Pakistan; Syed Sultan president PPA Baluchistan; Fiaz Ahmad Faizi Vice president PPA Punjab and Furqan K. Hashmi General Secretary PPA Punjab has collectively disapproved the preliminary revised six year curriculum  of Pharm-D proposed by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.

They said in their unanimous statement that the current curriculum of Pharm. D, a five year degree program was imposed by the Pakistan Pharmacy Council in 2004. Its revision was underway since April 2010 by the curriculum committee of the Pakistan Pharmacy Council and Higher Education Commission. Now, the final version of the draft is ready to be implemented, though there are plenty of shortcomings. Instead of going in detail, the present article is being penned to draw the attention of signatories of the draft of the curriculum to look into the matter of pre-registration additional one year training in various areas of pharmacy profession after getting the Pharm. D degree. The students, parents and academia have several reservations for this additional year, some of which are given herein. Thus; the revised curriculum disapproved on the six following major logics;

1. Legal issue: The imposition of additional one year training before registration of pharmacy graduates is a violation of the section 25 (1) (a), (b) and (c) of The Pharmacy Act 1967, which describes the eligibility criterion for the registration of pharmacists in various categories (Khan, 2008a). Therefore, pharmacy graduates need not be deprived of their right to be registered in category “A” as per law.

2. Increase in duration of Pharm. D programme: Under the prevailing financial situation in the country, the increase in duration, an additional 6^th year will be a burden on the poor nation. Moreover, to spend 6 years just for a graduation degree is not justified and will further worsen the economic status of the community.

3. Production of large number of pharmacy graduates: In present scenario both the public and private sector universities are producing pharmacy graduates much more than the number of jobs available in public and private sectors. As a result of this an overwhelming majority of pharmacy graduates are unemployed, and the same is reported by Hussain et al. (2006).

4. Agreement for one year pre-registratin training: At present there is no agreement or legal binding on the pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, community pharmacies and health authorities on providing this one year training attachment. The students who have to travel from far-off areas to major cities for training; hence, hostel accommodation will be a big problem for them.

5. Unnecessary binding on students: Imposition of additional one year pre-registration training will be an unnecessary binding on the students willing to adopt teaching job, governmental job, carrier abroad or pursue higher education after their graduation.

6. Cost of attachment: It is not clear that whether this one year attachment is paid or unpaid, and if paid then who will bear the cost of this attachment? In some countries, pre-registration training is mandatory and instituted to compensate the resource deficiency, structured and well-paid by the state.

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal B.Pharm., M.Phil., MBA., Ph.D Sr. Manager and Head Pharmacy Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Johar Town, Lahore- Pakistan (Email: tahir@skm.org.pk, mtahirphd@yahoo.com, Tel.: 0092 42 5945100 (Ext: 2291), Fax: 0092 42 5945198, Cell: +92 321 488 7801) has distributed message for pharmacist community regarding the decision of HEC to extend the tenure of Pharm-D program as under;

Dear All,

Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional degree and now appropriate way to recognize our profession. Our major bulk of Pharmacists is moved to Gulf, USA, UK, Canada, Australia etc. I think, let be patience and think what these countries are demanding. What is happening in the world and how can we compete with them. Additionally, either this will improve the skills of Pakistani pharmacist or not? I think YES…see happening in other countries

 Saudia Arabia

According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), if a student graduates with a (minimum six years) PharmD degree, then the graduate has the chance to further develop himself. This can be achieved by taking an Accredited Residency Training Program that is at least one year long (for a total of seven years, minimum). Upon successfully completing both the Residency program and the PharmD, the graduate can apply for Professional Equivalent (only equivalent in practice) to the Master degree in Pharmacy.

 Qatar

In Qatar, pharmacy degrees are offered by the new College of Pharmacy at the Qatar University. Students were accepted into the 5-year BSc (Pharm) program commencing in 2007. Students will be accepted into the final year of the 6-year PharmD program in 2011. Accordingly, the first graduates of the PharmD program are expected in 2012. The program adopts a Canadian curriculum and received early accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) in February 2009. This is the first international program to undergo review and receive accreditation by this sole Canadian accreditation agency.

 United States

In the United States, the PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice. It is awarded after four years of pharmacy school, which include one year of practical experience. Most schools require students to take an entrance test (PCAT) and complete 60-90 credit hours (2–3 years) of university coursework in the sciences, mathematics, composition and humanities before entry into a professional program. Many pharmacy students complete a bachelor’s degree before entry to pharmacy school.

Total time: 2–4 years undergraduate (Associate or Bachelor degree), 4 years professional (PharmD), optional 1–3 years of specialization (residency/fellowship).

In the USA, legal requirements to becoming a pharmacist include graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, serving an internship under a licensed pharmacist, and passing a state (NAPLEX) and law exam. The designation PharmD is sometimes erroneously likened to a PhD degree which is an advanced scientific degree in this field (ie. Phd. in Pharmacology or Pharmaceutics). PharmD holders can also earn another advanced degree in this field such as the MS in Pharmarcy offered at many US institutions. The former degree was a Bachelor of Pharmacy and required slightly less schooling and different curriculum. Due to the changes to health care in today’s society and the increasing need for counseling and medication maintenance, pharmacists have taken on a larger role as clinicians. This increase in the need for accessible health care information for consumers has led to great strides in the field of pharmacy. One result of this has been a change in the way pharmacy schools structure their curriculum as well as an advanced doctorate degree, which further sets the pharmacist apart as a trusted ally in a patient’s health care treatment regimen. In fact, pharmacists consistently rank as one of the most trusted professionals in today’s society. This degree requires the completion of at least five years of post-secondary schooling but usually requires at least 6-8 years at present time, depending on which state you live in and the pharmacy school which you attend. The former degree obtained upon completion of pharmacy school was a Bachelors in Pharmacy or BS and pharmacists with this designation were given the title RPh. In the USA, pharmacist who acquire a PharmD degree are legally allowed to add the prefix “Dr.” before his / her name. Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.

India

Pharm.D (6 year integrated doctorate in pharmacy course), was introduced by Govt. of India and The Pharmacy Council of India in 2008. The first batch of post bacularate Pharm.D students will graduate by 2011. The government has taken new innovative steps for increasing the interest of the students. By 2014 there will be more colleges offering Pharm.D courses in India.Many college of pharmacy offering 6 year integrated doctor of pharmacy course and the first batch will come out in 2014.it is five years theory and practical in hospital and pharmaceutical field and student should submitted thesis work at the end of the 5th year and in the final year(6th) student should practice 12 months as a residency/internship in minimum 300 bedded hospital

Iran

In 1930 Tehran University changed the Pharmacy degree from Masters to doctorate (Pharm.D. or Doctor of Pharmacy) and the duration of the study was increased to 5 years. Graduates need to present and defend their theses in different fields of pharmacy and this adds another year to their studies and generally after 6 years students can graduate as Doctor in Pharmacy.

Regards;

Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal B.Pharm., M.Phil., MBA., Ph.D Sr. Manager and Head Pharmacy Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Johar Town, Lahore- Pakistan. Email: tahir@skm.org.pk, mtahirphd@yahoo.com, Tel.: 0092 42 5945100 (Ext: 2291), Fax: 0092 42 5945198, Cell: +92 321 488 7801

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). Dr. Khalid Ahmad Shiekh faculty member of Department of Pharmaceutics, The School of Pharmacy, University of London 29-39, Brunswick Square, WC1 N1AX, London and pharmacist graduated from University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan has written an open letter regarding the Pharm D tenure as under;

Dear Pharmacists Colleagues,

Thanks for involving/updating us in this critical development in the field of pharmacy in Pakistan. I am normally bit long-winded but will try to be succinct here. Irrespective of the history of the revised name (Pharm D) for pharmacy course in Pakistan, I think the HEC committee should be commended for this new initiative of residency (we call it pre-registration training here in the UK). Rest of the things like total time for Pharm D including residency (the main topic of this discussion) should be discussed further and I believe participation of PPA in this committee is a must, which from the look of the members of the committee, is lacking (I may be wrong).

Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal (Chief Pharmacist; SKMCH, Lahore, Pakistan) has compared various pharmacy courses worldwide in detail to educate us and I think professional bodies stance after this information is worth pondering. I know all of you are well aware of the UK pharmacy system and in no way I am trying to represent the UK pharmacy. Just want to share something what we academics are going through here. It will be worthwhile to know from my Malaysian pharmacists friends on the Malaysian pharmacy education system and its impact on the pharmacy workforce.

 We, here in the UK (GPhc and all the schools of pharmacy), are also working on merging the pre-registration training (1 year) with the MPharm curriculum to make it 5-year course instead of existing 4-year MPharm plus 1 year pre-reg training but foresee many obstacles . However, we want to make sure that in reality the total time for a student required to be a registered pharmacist still remains the same (5 years). The sole reason for this initiative is active participation of hospitals/community pharmacies and the industry in the collaborative training of the new generation. At the moment each hospital has its own training rotations which differ significantly amongst hospitals. Therefore, we aim to standardise training of pharmacists across UK.

 I think the way forward should be dialogue with the HEC committee rather than total disapproval. If I were to represent PPA on this issue then I would commend their latest initiative and ask them to have a look again at the total duration.

 Before I leave just want to share “NOT A VERY GOOD NEWS” with you all about the non-European pharmacists. The UK border agency is planning (actually have accepted) the parliament’s select committee’s suggestion of including Pharmacy as one of the 28 professions which will not be included in the future immigration work permit scheme. This will effectively (unfortunately) exclude all the pharmacists coming outside of the Europe to work as pharmacists in the UK.

 Regards.

 Dr. Khalid Ahmad Shiekh;

Dr. Nadeem Irfan Bukhari, B.Pharm, M.Phil (Pharmaceutics), PhD (Pharm. Tech.) Assistant Professor Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmacy University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campust, Lahore Pakistan (E-mail: nadeem_irfan@hotmail.com) is legend personality of pharmacy profession in Pakistan.

Dr. Bukhari was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Pharmaceutics (Formulation development and Pharmacokinetics) by Universiti Sains Malaysia, June 2009. The key research area was Nanotechnology, Particulates (micro and nano-scale), Computer-aided optimization and Pharmacokinetic evaluation, etc of biodegradable biopolymer. He passed his Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Pharmacy M. Phil Pharmaceutics (2-years degree by research; Session 1988-90) from College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore (Pakistan), with 1st class and Bachelor in Pharmacy (B.Pharmacy) B. Pharmacy (4-years program; Session 1983-87) from Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan Pakistan.

His selected research interests/work experiences are as under;

1. Particulate (micro- and nano- scale) delivery systems
2. Formulation design, evaluation and optimization using statistical and neural networking algorithms
3. Pharmacokinetics (PK), PK interactions and PK variables
4. Enhancing the oral bioavailability of the drugs with low solubility
5. Pharmacoeconomics and drug pricing.
6. Experienced user of Pharmacokinetic software such as WinNonlin®, Kinetica®,
7. PKAnalyst, PK-Fit®, etc and Design of Experiment (DOE) software, such as Design
8. Expert® and artificial neural network (ANN) software, such as InForm® and
9. NeuralPower®
10. Characterization, radiolabeling, quality control and dispensing of
11. radiopharmaceuticals.
12. Experienced user of statistical packages, SPSS and MINITAB.
13. Teaching and professional experience of about 21 years.

Moreover; he is a brilliant scientist and was got first position amongst the successful candidates for the award of President’s Talent Scholarship through the Ministry of Health Pakistan. he has active memberships/professional/associations/committees of 1. Member International Society for the study of xenobiotics; 2. Member, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Netherlands. 3. Member, Control Release Society (CRS), USA; 4. Member, Pakistan Pharmacists Association, Pakistan; 5. Member, Pakistan Hospital Pharmacists Association, Pakistan; 6. Member Board of Studies, College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore; (2008-2009); 7. Member Board of Studies, Lahore College of Pharmacy, Lahore; 8. Member Inspection team for issuance of manufacturing license, Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad; 9. Technical Expert for the recruitment of Hospital Pharmacist/Drug inspector, Punjab Public Service Commission, Lahore; and 10. Member National Test Service.

He used to worked in miscellaneous professional positions; Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Lecturer, Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Lecturer, Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Lecturer, Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University Sedaya College International, Malaysia; Lecturer Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Lecturer Pharmaceutics, Pharmacy Department, Islamia University of Bahawalput, Bahawalpur; and Hospital Pharmacist/Radiopharmacist, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore.

In addition of that; he was awarded 1). the certificate for dedicated services in SKMTCH & RC, Lahore; 2). best poster award in Common wealth pharmaceutical association-Malaysia pharmaceutical association joint conference, Kuala Lumpur 2007; 3). the Sanggar Sanjung (Hall of Fame event) product silver medal award at Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE 2006) on “Nanoparticle coating for enhancing shelf life of herbal product”. (Awarded to Baie, S. (Principal Investigator), Ismail, Z., Bukhari, N.I (Co-researchers); 4). Bibliographic note published in Marquis “Who is Who in Science & Engineering”, USA, 2002; and 5). South Asian Publications’ “XIth Star man Award 2000” based on credential par excellence.

Dr. Bukhari presented about 48 oral and posters presentations in national and international symposiums, conferences and workshops. He got more than twenty four (24) research Grants/ sponsorships and published more than 50 scientific research manuscripts in local and international accredited journals. He wrote seven (7) books, book chapters and reports as under;  1. Bukhari, N.I. “Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics – Activity based learning”. Raaz Printer, Nabha Road, Lahore, Pakistan. 2011; 2. Babar, Z.D., Ibrahim, M.I.M. Singh, H. Bukhari, N.I. “The Reality of Medicine Price in Malaysia”. Universiti Sains Malaysia Press. 2010; 3. Bukhari, N.I., Majeed, A.B.A. Bai, Hay, Y.K. “Understanding Pharmacokinetic Models”. University of Technology Mara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Page 106, (2009); 4. Babar, Z.U., Ibrahim, M.I.M., Singh, H., Bukhari, N.I. “A survey of Medicine Price: Availability affordability and price components in Malaysia using WHOHAI methodology”.University College Sedaya Internation-University Sains Malaysia in collaboration with WHO-HAI, Malaysia. 2005; 5. Ahmad, M., Bukhari, N.I. “Pharmaceutical Management and Marketing”. Tariq Academy, D-Ground, Faisalabad – Pakistan. 2002. Pages 218. [Recommended by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan for its National Pharmacy Curriculum in all affiliated universities in Pakistan]; 6. Bukhari, N.I. “Hospital Pharmacy”. Aziz Book Depot, Lahore – Pakistan. 2000. (ISBN: 969-486-025-3). Pages 268. [Recommended by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan for its National Pharmacy Curriculum in all affiliated universities in Pakistan]; 7. Bioavailability studies, Chapter in Quality Assurance in Class, Market and Industry. Karamat A Javeid, Author. Aziz Book Depot, Lahore-Pakistan, 1992.

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). Pakistan Journal of Pharmacy is now available online at https://pu.edu.pk/home/journal/34/#. This journal is an official biannual peer-reviewed publication of the University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Full length original articles or short papers and letter to Editor are considered for publication in the Journal. The Journal accepts manuscript in any of the fields of Pharmacy or experimental medicine. The Journal also publishes reviews, usually by invitation and is available for publication of pharmaceutical symposium/conference proceedings. The Journal will not responsible for the opinions of the authors expressed in and the authenticity and correctness of the published articles.

The major contribution in this work of uplifting, re-organizing and making it available online is of Dr. Nadeem Irfan Bukhari Senior Editor & Publication in-Charge. While other team members of this Pakistan Journal of Pharmacy are; Chief Editor Dean, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore; Executive Editors Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Prof. Dr. Syed Saeed ul Hassan, Prof. Dr. Mobasher Ahmed Butt; Senior Editor & Publication in-Charge Dr. Nadeem Irfan Bukhari; Editors Dr. Tahir Javaid Khan, Dr. Sabiha Karim, Dr. Khalid Hussain and Dr. Tariq Saeed.

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC), Higher Education Commission, Pakistan has approved the establishment of five pharmaceutical department in pharmacy teaching institutions. This meeting was held in HEC Regional Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. All of the 26 members of this meeting have unanimously approved this amendment. Thus; the faculty/ institutions/ schools of pharmacy will be enforced to establish five departments with relevant subjects as under;

1. Department of Pharmaceutics

• Pharmaceutics-I (Physical Pharmacy)
• Pharmaceutics-II (Dosage Forms Science)
• Pharmaceutics-III (Pharmaceutical Microbiology & immunology)
• Pharmaceutics-IV(Industrial Pharmacy)
• Pharmaceutics-V (Biopharmaceutics)
• Pharmaceutics-VI (Pharmaceutical Quality Management)
• Pharmaceutics-VII  (Pharmaceutical Technology)

 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I (Organic Chemistry)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II (Biochemistry)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-III (Pharmaceutical Analysis)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-IV (Medicinal Chemistry)

 3. Department of Pharmacognosy

• Pharmacognosy-I
• Pharmacognosy-II

 4. Department of Pharmacology

• Physiology
• Anatomy & Histology

• Pathology
• Pharmacology -I
• Pharmacology -II

 5. Department of Pharmacy Practice

• Pharmacy Practice-I (Pharmaceutical Mathematics and Biostatistics)
• Pharmacy Practice-II (Dispensing, Community, Social & Administrative Pharmacy)
• Pharmacy Practice-III (Hospital Pharmacy)
• Pharmacy Practice-IV (Forensic Pharmacy)
• Pharmacy Practice-V (Clinical Pharmacy-I)
• Pharmacy Practice-VI (Clinical Pharmacy-II)
• Pharmacy Practice-VII (Computer & its Applications in Pharmacy)
• Pharmacy Practice-VIII (Pharmaceutical Management and Marketing)

Moreover; the National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC), Higher Education Commission, Pakistan has passed unanimously the following recommendations;

1. The up-dated curriculum of Doctor of Pharmacy program after the approval from Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) and Higher Education Commission (HEC) shall be binding on every Pharmacy Institution/ University (Public and Private) to adopt revised curricula.
2. The revised curricula shall be adopted from the 2012 session.
3. PCP and HEC will take up the matter at government level; a). to establish Pharmacy Services in all hospitals (public and private); b). to affiliate public sector hospitals with the universities/institutions imparting Pharmacy education; c). Will recommended to PMDC to ensure the availability of Pharmacy services in all hospitals.

4. Violation in adoption of the approved curriculum shall be liable to penalty under section 17 & 19 of Pharmacy Act, 1967 and rules framed there-under, which may lead to revoking of affiliation/ accreditation by the PCP.
5. No omission and changes are allowed in the said curriculum approved by PCP and HEC, by any institution.
6. Doctor of Pharmacy degree holders will be allowed for direct admission in M.S. /M. Phil leading to PhD program.
7. The members passed a resolution that a National University of Pharmaceutical Sciences must be established on priority basis.

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). The executives of Pakistan Pharmacist Federation (www.pharmacistfed.pk, www.pharmafed.wordpress.com) has disapproved the preliminary version of six year Pharm-D (rendering the tenure of Pharma D). The meeting of National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) was held on June 6-8, 2011 at HEC Regional Centre, Karachi to finalize the draft Curriculum for Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) Program. The curriculum reviewed/revised by the committee in its preliminary meeting held from 28^th February to 2^nd March, 2011 at HEC Regional Centre, Lahore. Upon completion of recognized Pharm. D. degree, a pharmacy graduate is required to undergo residency based training for a period of 1 year in any area; at general or private Hospital, pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacy, marketing, research & development and public health recognized by the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan. The objective of the residency is to undergo a planned training on aspects of pharmacy practice under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. After passing the Pharmacy examination and completing 1 year of residency, graduates are eligible to register with the Pharmacy Council and may practice as a registered pharmacist in Pakistan. The twenty six (26) committee members who approved this six year Pharm D curriculum are as under; Prof. Dr. Abdullah Dayo Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sindh, Jamshoro; Prof. Dr. Gul Majid Khan Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I. Khan; Prof. Dr. Javeid Iqbal Dean/ Member Core Committee, PCP, Department of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Karachi; Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University,  Bahawalpur; Prof. Dr. Ghazala H. Rizwani, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi; Mr. Ayaz Ali Khan, Specialist Medical Product and Technology/ Member Core Committee of PCP,  Health System Strengthening and Policy Unit, HSA, Ministry of Health, Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad; Prof. Dr. G. A. Miana, Professor/Director Research, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7^th Avenue, Sector G-7/4, Islamabad; Mr. Khalid Saeed Bukhari, Country Advisor Medicine WHO Member Core Committee PCP, Health System Strengthening and Policy Unit, HSA, Ministry of Health, Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Khwaja Zafar Ahmed Dean, Ziauddin College of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi; Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chairman, Department of  Pharmacy, University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad; Prof. Dr. Kamran Ahmed Chishti Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar; Prof. Dr.  Syed Saeed-ul-Hassan Principal, University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore; Prof. Dr. Hafeez  Ikram Head Department of Pharmacy, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore; Dr. Ali Akbar Sial Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal Urdu University, Block-9, University Road, Karachi; Prof. Dr. Fazal Subhan Professor Department of Pharmacy University of Peshawar, Peshawar; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jamshaid Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, Hajvery University, Lahore; Dr. Khalid Hussain Janbaz Chairman, Department of Pharmacy, B.Z. University, Multan; Mr. Amjad Ali Jawa Managing Director, Wilshire Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd 124/1- Industrial Estate Kot Lakhpat, Lahore; Dr. Shahzad Hussain Senior Scientific Officer Drugs Control & Traditional Medicines Division, National Institute of Health, Islamabad; Mr. Latif Sheikh, Director Pharmacy / Member Core Committee, Agha Khan University Hospital,  Karachi; Mr. Naziruddin Ahsan, Secretary, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan, Taimur Chamber, 10-D, West Blue Area, Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Khalid Hussain Janbaz Chairman,  epartment of Pharmacy, B.Z. University, Multan; Dr. Farid Khan, Consultant Pharmacist, 68/1, Khayaban-e-Mohfiz, DHA Phase –IV, Karachi; Prof. Dr. Maqsood Ahmad, Principal, College of Pharmacy, Government College University, Faisalabad; Syed Umer Jan, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Baluchistan, Quetta; Dr. Sajid Bashir, Chairman, Department of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha and Mr. Jahangir Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara (Lower Dir)

The executives of Pakistan Pharmacist Federation have disapproved the time duration of Pharm-D program. They said it is an unethical, unfair and non-professional way of rewarding the favorite pharmaceutical organizations. There is a specific lobby in this noble profession; who intentionally damaging the clinical and pharmaceutical aspect of health care system. Moreover, they said; incorporation of professional practice is an appreciation feature. But, it should be added in existing five year scheme instead of extending into six years.

Fultext Pharmacy Revised Curriculum 2012

Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). The National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) final  meeting was held on June 6-8, 2011 at HEC Regional Centre, Karachi to finalize the draft Curriculum for Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) Program reviewed/revised by the committee in its preliminary meeting held from 28^th February to 2^nd March, 2011 at HEC Regional Centre, Lahore. The curriculum approved is as under;

Fultext Pharmacy Revised Curriculum 2012