PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION IN WEST BENGAL
Rafika Khatun*, Dr. Beduin Mahanti and Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen
ABSTRACT
Pharmacy is the art and science of manufacturing and dispensing of drugs prepared by natural and synthetic sources, and using them for the treatment and prevention of diseases. To practice as a pharmacist in West Bengal, one needs at least a diploma in pharmacy, which is awarded after only 2 years and 3 months of pharmacy studies. These diploma-trained pharmacists are the mainstay of pharmacy practice. The pharmacy practice curriculum has not received much attention. In West Bengal, there has been a surge in the number of institutions offering pharmacy degrees at various levels and a practice based doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree program was started in some private institutions in 2008. However, relatively little information has been published describing the current status of complex pharmacy education of West Bengal. In this paper we describe pharmacy education in West Bengal and highlight major issues in pharmacy practice including deficiencies in curriculum. The information presented in this paper may stimulate discussion and critical analysis and planning, and will be of value in further adaptation of the pharmacy education to desired educational outcomes.
Keywords: Pharmaceutical education, Pharmacy practice, Institutions, west Bengal, Growth rate, Profession.
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