|
 India's pharmacy practice is currently experiencing a dynamic phase of evolution, marked by significant regulatory reforms and a growing emphasis on specialized roles, all aimed at aligning the profession with global healthcare standards, said Dr. Subhash C Mandal, secretary of Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA).
From its foundational regulated structure established by the Pharmacy Act of 1948, the landscape has continually adapted, with recent developments signalling a clear trajectory towards more comprehensive and specialized patient care.
Dr. Mandal emphasized in an online interview with Pharmabiz that the increasing demand for tailored patient care highlights the critical need for further specialized roles within pharmacy practice.
He said, looking ahead, there is a burgeoning demand from healthcare providers for even more specialized pharmacist roles. Experts are advocating for policy makers to consider creating provisions for specializations such as critical care pharmacists, oncology pharmacists, and geriatric pharmacists. These roles highlight a growing recognition of the pharmacist's crucial contribution across diverse medical fields, moving beyond traditional dispensing roles to become integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
As regards the evolution of pharmacy profession and status of pharmacists, he said, a pivotal moment in this journey was the 1984 amendment to Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act 1940 and Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, which enshrined the mandatory engagement of a pharmacist in dispensing prescriptions. This was further bolstered by the global influence of the WHO's document, ‘The Role of the Pharmacist in the Health Care System,’ published in 1990, which underscored the worldwide mandate for pharmacists in ensuring better healthcare outcomes through diligent dispensing. The WHO document played a crucial role in advocating for a paradigm shift in pharmacy practice. It emphasized moving from a purely product-oriented role to a more patient-centred approach, where pharmacists actively contribute to health outcomes.
“The formalization of the profession received a major boost with the notification of the Pharmacy Practice Regulation 2015. This landmark regulation aimed to bring structure to India's often unorganized pharmacy practice by clearly defining and regulating the profession. More recently, the 2021 amendment to these regulations introduced distinct specializations, acknowledging the evolving needs of the healthcare system. This amendment officially recognized ‘Clinical Pharmacists’ and ‘Drug Information Pharmacists’ as new categories, a crucial step towards fostering specialized expertise”, he said.
A significant recent development, occurring around April 2025, saw the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) amend the Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015, to officially include M.Pharm (Pharmacy Practice) as a recognized qualification for clinical pharmacists. Previously, this role was largely associated with the Pharm D degree, leading to legal challenges and limitations for M.Pharm graduates. This inclusion broadens the pool of qualified professionals and resolves a long-standing point of contention within the pharmaceutical community.
Pointing to the Pharmacy Council of India’s efforts, the IPA secretary said that in line with international standards and to address potential pharmacist shortages, the PCI is reportedly contemplating a significant shift in pharmacy education, a transition to a 5-year PharmD programme. This proposed change aims to enhance the depth and breadth of pharmacy education in India, ensuring graduates are equipped with advanced clinical knowledge and skills comparable to their global counterparts. The PCI continues to demonstrate its commitment to quality and standardization through regular circulars and notifications concerning institutional approvals, exit examinations for diploma students, and various administrative and educational guidelines.
In essence, India's pharmacy practice is on a clear path of formalization and advancement. Driven by progressive regulatory changes and the evolving demands of patient care, the profession is moving towards greater specialization, more robust educational frameworks, and a heightened alignment with global best practices, promising a more impactful role for pharmacists in the nation's healthcare system, opined Dr. Mandal.
|