What is PCI?
The past few years saw a sudden upheaving of the Pharmacy industry to the 12th spot at the global level. The expansion resulted in the ever increasing demand of the experts and qualified professionals. Recognizing Pharmacy education as something more substantial than the distribution of drugs PCI was formed. It governs the institutes that impart courses relating to the subject. Moreover, it manages the industrial sector that contributes a pretty decent percent in the Indian economy.
PCI stands for Pharmacy council of India which was established in the year 1948. It follows the guidelines provided by the Pharmacy act of 1948 and follows the leadership of the ministry of health and family affairs.
Why is Pharmacy council of India a crucial body?
Owing to the responsibilities it withholds and the objectives it keeps, Pharmacy council of India becomes one of the most important and sole government body that works in the sector of pharmacy. The main objectives constitute of the regulation of the Pharmacy education system in order to produce good pharmacist. It also looks after the functioning of the practice and profession in the pharmacy industry.
Despite being the torch bearer of the health and science industry in the ancient days, today’s scenario of the sector seems to be overshadowed by the IT industry. Yet it has maintained a comparably better position because of the back support and boost from the Pharmacy council of India.
It provides recognition to the pharmacy institutes that have passed the test making them eligible for imparting education. Any institute offering a course in pharmacy mandatorily needs to take recognition certificate from the Pharmacy council of India. Any sort of degree or diploma certificate offered by the institute can be tagged as valid only if the Pharmacy council of India has certified it for doing the same.
What are the major jobs that Pharmacy council performs?
Since it is the regulatory body, PCI keeps a check on the industry and the institution. It also frequently takes look at the infrastructure, its competence, and the requirements. The teaching staff, the trainers, the decisions being taken within a pharmacy organization, the pattern of imparting education being followed etc is some other main tasks handled by the council.
The council has actually bridged the gap between the industry and the government of India. It provides a regular update to the concerned ministry of the government.
Also, it sets the minimum qualification needed to be tagged as the pharmacist. Uniformity is also a very substantial aspect. It is essential that no single zone should be given more privileges than others. Maintaining a common standard throughout the country is ensured by the council members of the Pharmacy council of India.
If it holds the power to allow approval certificate to the institution, it also possesses the authority to withdraw the approval. In case the institution does not continue to work in the manner verified by the council, the council can take back its name from the list of authorized institutes that can provide a valid and relevant degree.
Conducting surveys and collecting data on the ground basis provides the real version of the scenarios. Instead of believing on the reports provided, the council prefers ad conduct its own surveys thereby generating a report on the same. This, in turn, helps to take a required decision in the field.
Foreign qualification is as well recognized and approved by the pharmacy council of India as mentioned in the pharmacy act.
The central register of the pharmacists is as well looked after and updated by the body itself. It is quite important to keep the records.