The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a press release on measures taken to improve the quality of pharmacy education. This press release was issued on February 4, 2025.
It may be recalled that the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) had announced a new staff-to-student ratio requirement for Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) courses. In a circular dated January 9, 2025, the PCI has prescribed a maximum ratio of 1:20 for both theory and practical classes.
While the D.Pharm course regulations had a specified staff-to-student ratio (1:60 for theory and 1:20 for practicals), the B.Pharm course regulations of 2014 lacked this specification. The PCI’s new circular addressed this gap, responding to representations received from stakeholders across various states.
Focus on Quality Improvement
This move is part of a broader effort by the Central Government to enhance the quality of pharmacy education in India. Other initiatives include:
Aadhar Authentication: Implementing Aadhar authentication to increase transparency in teaching and professional activities.
Single-Window System: Creating a streamlined single-window system for pharmacist registration.
Pharmacovigilance Centers: Collaborating with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) to establish pharmacovigilance centers and monitor medication safety.
Technology in Inspections: Embracing innovation and technology in the inspection process of pharmacy institutions.
Curriculum Revision: Revising the B.Pharm curriculum to keep it relevant and up-to-date.
Faculty and Student Portal: Introducing a faculty and student portal to ensure transparent registration processes.
Assessment and Rating System: Revolutionizing the assessment and rating system for pharmacy education institutes in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI).
The newly prescribed staff-to-student ratio for B.Pharm courses is expected to improve the learning experience for students by ensuring adequate faculty availability. Combined with the other initiatives, this measure reflects the PCI’s commitment to raising the standards of pharmacy education and producing highly qualified pharmacists.
