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Indian pharmacy education needs to adopt 2D and 3D format for lectures of the syllabus. This is proving to help students recall faster and perform better, said Dr Md. Salahuddin, principal, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy and general secretary, Karnataka State Pharmacy Colleges Principals Association.
In this regard, the Bengaluru-based Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy has been a torchbearer to introduce 2D and 3D lectures for the last one year across undergraduate and post graduate pharmacy classes. We are first to offer 2D and 3D classrooms. Our experience so far indicates that the 2D and 3D formats provide a better understanding of the subject for the students, he added.
We have drafted lectures of the syllabus into the 2D or 3D structure. For this Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy has signed up with the Borehamwood-based Infoplus Technologies UK to provide 2D and 3D class across B Pharm and M Pharma where concepts are taught through applications. We have noted failures in exams have drastically dropped. This is because lectures are meaningful rather than rote learning, making students thorough on the subject, Dr Salahuddin told Pharmabiz.
In order to be relevant to the latest developments in pharmaceuticals, partnerships between academia and industry increases opportunities to commercialise research. There is also a huge performance expectation of the industry from entry level qualified pharmacist, he noted.
Barring the post graduate pharmacy students work closely with the industry for the project submissions mandated in their course, we see a need for a closer association of academia and industry. Our student has researched on plant extract that having properties effective at inactivating bacteria and viruses. So as a sanitizer which can be used in different forms like gel, soap, lotion can be developed. So we are looking for the industry to commercialise this project, he said.
Further, Al Ameen College of Pharmacy is also working with the industry in formulation development. Several leading Karnataka pharma companies have been roped in and pacts are signed to advance research, and share knowledge. The intent is to also create a pool of ready to be employed graduates which industry demands. Hence, pharmacy colleges need generate qualified and well trained people to be employed in the industry. To this end Al-Ameen has signed up with the LSSDC (Life Science Skill Development Centre) to train students.
Stressing on the need for pharmacists registrations with State Pharmacy Councils, Dr Salahuddin also noted that strict implementation of the Pharmacy Practice Regulations (PPR) can control professional malpractices like renting certificates for starting pharmacy outlets.
Further, pharmacists also need to have the right to substitute the medication prescribed by the doctor and for this continuing pharmacy education (CPE) is vital to help them being competent in providing quality pharmaceutical care to patients. It is here PPR implementation is much desired, said Dr Salahuddin.
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