Pharmacy education in India has undergone a paradigm shift in the past 2 decades. Before this country’s independence in 1947, a formal pharmacy education—a 3-year bachelor’s of pharmacy degree—was offered by only three institutions (first in Banaras Hindu University in 1937¹), and there were no legal restrictions on the practice of pharmacy.² Only after India’s independence was the concept of pharmacy practice realized. In 1948, the Pharmacy Act was enacted to set standards and regulate pharmacy education, the pharmacy profession, and the practice of pharmacy in India. The provisions of the Pharmacy Act are implemented through the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), a statutory body established in 1949.³

Currently, to meet the varying needs of the profession at different levels, several pharmacy programs are offered by more than 1500 institutions in India.³ Until only about 1 decade ago, however, pharmacy graduates were involved mostly in the manufacturing of medicines. The traditional dispensing of medicines and the other patient care services offered were supported through pharmacists who had a 2-year diploma in pharmacy qualification. Although India attained tremendous growth and innovation in the pharma industry, leading to its realization as a global pharma destination, the country failed to gain societal recognition of the pharmacy profession. In India, the concept of patient-oriented pharmacy practice was realized in 1995, after the introduction of practice-based and patient-focused postgraduate courses (master’s of pharmacy in pharmacy practice) in two pharmacy institutions (JSS Colleges of Pharmacy, Mysore and Ooty). Thereafter, the pharmacy profession and practice in India underwent a transition. However, only in 2008 did India make rapid progression in practice-based pharmacy education after PCI introduced a practice-based 6-year “doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.)” degree course.⁴ A major breakthrough in the history of pharmacy education in India, this multifaceted course redefined the role of pharmacists in the Indian health care system. A paradigm shift occurred, resulting in (1) an increased number of student pharmacists working in the wards of hundreds of hospitals and (2) the increased capabilities of pharmacists in providing patient care services.

Another breakthrough initiative taken by PCI is the provision of an opportunity to upgrade the qualification of existing diploma holders to graduate levels through 2-year blended-mode education. Moreover, the Pharmacovigilance Program of India has brought into focus the importance of the safe and quality use of medicines. These initiatives not only help create job opportunities for pharmacy graduates, but also bring a greater recognition to the pharmacy profession.

During the past decade, the pharmacy profession has expanded significantly in the implementation of need-based educational programs and professional practice. However, the future of the pharmacy profession rests on (1) developing well-qualified, knowledgeable, skilled, and competent human resources; (2) providing high-quality pharmaceutical care services in the health care system; and (3) fulfilling the other professional obligations/responsibilities on the basis of societal need. These are achievable only through changes in the legislative framework that improve and maintain the high standards of the pharmacy profession in both educational and practice settings.

1. Singh H. Pharmaceutical Education, History of Pharmacy in India and Related Aspects, vol. 2. Delhi: Vallabh Prakashan, 1998.
2. Kaul R. History of modern pharmacy in India: a review of the work of Professor Harkishan Singh. Pharm Hist 2009;51:34–42.
3. Narayana TV. Pharmacy education in India. Pharma Times 2011;43:35.
4. Pharmacy Council of India. Available at www.pci.nic.in/. Accessed January 16, 2012.

*Opinions, judgments, and data expressed or implied in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the policy or position of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy provides no warranty regarding their accuracy or reliability.