Pharmacy Council of India: Roles and Objectives

Updated On: January 06, 2025 09:07 AM

Established on 4th March 1948 under the Ministry of Health and Family, the Pharmacy Council of India is a statutory body to help regulate the education and profession of Pharmacy. The PCI is responsible for establishing the qualifications required to become a pharmacist in India.

Table of Contents

Objectives of the Pharmacy Council of India
Roles, Functions and Duties of the Pharmacy Council of India
Detailed Functions of PCI Under the Pharmacy Act, 1948
Role of Pharmacy Council of India in Education

Roles and Objectives of Pharmacy Council of India: In 1948, the Government of India established another regulating body on the lines of the Medical Council of India , but only for the stream of Pharmacy. Operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Pharmacy Council of India had been established under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, after being passed in the Parliament. The Government of India set up the statutory body for the purpose of regulating the education and profession in Pharmacy in India. Like the MCI, the Pharmacy Council of India or PCI that both education in pharmacy, as well as the profession of Pharmacy, go smoothly and efficiently. The PCI is responsible for regulating and laying the rules for offering a Pharmacy course at any level, i.e. Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma as well as Doctoral levels.

B.Pharm- Course Overview	M.Pharm- Course Overview
D.Pharm- Course Overview	Pharma.D- Course Overview

Objectives of the Pharmacy Council of India

Under the Pharmacy Act 1948, the Pharmacy Council of India has been designed to enforce certain standards and regulations, which will ensure a smooth operation of the Pharmacy industry in the country. There are certain defined objectives of the Pharmacy Council of India, which is as follows:

Uniform Standards in Pharmacy Education

Ensuring consistent and high-quality education across all pharmacy institutions in the country.
Updating the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Licensing of Pharmacists

Standardizing the process for pharmacist registration and ensuring that only qualified individuals are licensed.
Promoting a uniform standard of qualification for pharmacists throughout India.

Public Safety and Health

Protecting the public by ensuring that pharmacists are properly trained and competent.
Promoting rational use of medicines through pharmacy practice.

Professional Development

Encouraging continuing education and skill development for practicing pharmacists.
Facilitating research and innovation in pharmacy education and practice.

Global Recognition

Aligning Indian pharmacy education and practices with global standards to ensure recognition and competitiveness in the international arena.

Addressing Challenges in Healthcare

Enhancing the accessibility and affordability of pharmaceutical care for the public.
Bridging the gap between pharmacy education and healthcare industry requirements.

Promotion of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure that pharmacists contribute to quality control and compliance with GMP in the pharmaceutical sector.

Roles, Functions and Duties of the Pharmacy Council of India

Like all the other statutory bodies under the Government of India, there are certain roles, functions and duties of the Pharmacy Council of India which are to be undertaken. Some of the major responsibilities of the PCI are to ensure that standards are maintained for Pharmacy education in India. Here are some of the roles, functions and responsibilities of PCI as a govt statutory body:

Section 10 : Prescribes minimum educational qualifications required for pharmacists.
Section 12 : Grants recognition to pharmacy qualifications.
Section 13 : Maintains the Central Register of Pharmacists.
Section 16 : Inspects pharmacy institutions to assess compliance with prescribed standards.
Section 18 : Approves courses of study and examinations for pharmacists.

Detailed Functions of PCI Under the Pharmacy Act, 1948

Functions	Details
Education Regulation	Approval of Pharmacy Institutions : PCI is responsible for prescribing minimum educational requirements for pharmacists. It ensures institutions meet these standards before granting approval. Course Curriculum Design : It prescribes the syllabus for pharmacy education, including the duration and subjects for the Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) programs. Inspection of Institutions : PCI conducts inspections of pharmacy colleges to ensure they maintain the prescribed standards. Monitoring Teacher-Student Ratio : The council ensures that institutions follow the guidelines for faculty appointments and maintain an adequate teacher-student ratio. Approval of Additional Courses : Institutions need PCI's approval for starting new pharmacy programs or increasing intake capacity.
Advisory Role	Government Consultation : PCI advises the Central Government and State Governments on matters related to pharmacy education, practice, and legislation. Recommendations : It recommends measures to improve pharmacy education and practice in the country.
Promotion of Research and Innovation	Research Encouragement : PCI promotes research in pharmaceutical sciences to improve healthcare outcomes. Industry-Academia Collaboration : It facilitates partnerships between academia and the pharmaceutical industry to advance innovation.
Registration of Pharmacists	State Pharmacy Councils (SPCs) : PCI guides and supervises SPCs in the registration process of pharmacists. Central Register of Pharmacists : PCI maintains a central register of all pharmacists in India. This is updated based on the information from SPCs. Eligibility for Registration : It determines the qualifications required for pharmacists to be registered in SPCs, ensuring that only competent professionals are allowed to practice.
Establishment of New Guidelines	Modernization of Curriculum : PCI ensures the curriculum aligns with advancements in pharmacy, biotechnology, and healthcare technology. Online Education Policies : It monitors the quality and implementation of online or blended learning programs in pharmacy.
Inspection and Recognition	Institutional Audits : PCI conducts periodic inspections of institutions to assess their infrastructure, faculty, curriculum, and facilities. Withdrawal of Approval : If an institution fails to meet prescribed standards, PCI has the authority to withdraw its approval, rendering the degrees or diplomas from such institutions invalid. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications : PCI decides whether pharmacy qualifications obtained abroad are equivalent to those offered in India for practice.
Promotion of Pharmacy as a Profession	Awareness Programs : PCI promotes the importance of pharmacists in healthcare systems through awareness campaigns. Interprofessional Collaboration : It fosters collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to enhance patient care. Policy Advocacy : PCI advocates for policies that strengthen the role of pharmacists in public health and pharmaceutical care.
Professional Standards	Code of Ethics : PCI formulates and enforces the code of ethics for pharmacists, ensuring professionalism and accountability. Continuing Education : It encourages pharmacists to engage in lifelong learning and professional development to keep up with advancements in the field. Practice Regulations : PCI ensures that pharmacists comply with legal and professional regulations for dispensing medications and patient care.
Collaboration with International Bodies	Global Standards : PCI collaborates with international organizations to align pharmacy education and practice in India with global standards. Exchange Programs : It supports exchange programs for students and professionals to gain international exposure.
Enforcement of the Pharmacy Act	Regulatory Oversight : PCI ensures compliance with the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, across the country. Disciplinary Actions : PCI has the authority to take disciplinary actions against individuals or institutions violating the act's provisions. Court Representation : PCI can appear in legal matters concerning pharmacy practice and education.

Role of Pharmacy Council of India in Education

As is the case for every other technical course in India, a statutory body for the regulation of education in Pharmacy allows for a streamlined industry, with minimum standards and quality control measures put in place. In the education sector, the PCI has drafted and implemented various Acts that streamline the entire pharmacy education system. Among Rules and Regulations that have been outlined for courses include regulations for the course structure and syllabus for Bachelor of Pharmacy ( B.Pharm), Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharm.D) and Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm).

All Pharmacy colleges in India, that have been approved by the PCI to impart education in the field of pharmacy must adhere to the rules and regulations for each course as outlined by the council. These regulations include the subjects that should be studied, the minimum number of internships required for each course, the manner of conducting the annual or semester examinations, weightage of different topics, research papers & thesis along other important parameters that are to met during the duration of a course. These are just some of the parameters that the Pharmacy Council of India supervises and regulates in order to ensure a high quality of pharmacy education in India, thus, resulting in globally-competitive pharmacy graduates.

For those of you who wish to pursue any one of the Pharmaceutical courses at any one of the PCI approved pharmacy colleges in India, then you may fill-up the Common Application Form available on our website.

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harshit, Student / Alumni

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Dear Student,

As per the official brochure, the Kadi Sarva Viswavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, the college offers various diploma courses. Few of the diploma courses are:

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Yes, you can study B Pharm without an entrance exam as a few colleges offer admission to potential students. Based on an aspirant's marks obtained in their 12th grade, several colleges provide direct admission; others even offer less tuition and no alternatives for donations. As a result, prospective students can begin their pharmaceutical careers more easily and without the anxiety of competitive tests. A list of such institutes that offer admission to a B.Pharma course without an entrance exam includes Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (Poonamallee), Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Kumaun University, Madras Medical College (Chennai), Parul …