Kollam: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has alleged that many colleges and universities in India are downgrading the standards of international pharmacy education and pharmacy training by taking money for issuing certificates and resorting to various other irregularities. Institutes in Kerala too are under a cloud owing to poor checks by pharmacy inspectors which encourage malpractices.
The CDSCO alleged that many pharmacy colleges in the country were taking money and issuing pharmacy diploma certificates to students who have not even attended any classes. The certificates could be bought with money from some colleges in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, a recent probe revealed.
Many who have obtained such certificates are practising in medical stores illegally. The situation is dangerous according to the report submitted to the Pharmacy Council of India by CDSCO enforcement wing which functions under the Union health ministry.
The CDSCO had carried out nationwide inspections following a complaint filed by a NGO working in the pharmacy sector. The latter has its headquarters in Haryana.
There are 58 pharmacy colleges in Kerala in the government and private sectors.
CDSCO's suggestions
In order to curb these irregularities the CDSCO has recommended that in the first phase the pharmacy diploma course should be completely scrapped, age limit should be fixed for gaining admission to the course and exit exams should be conducted for those completing the course before issuing registration certificates to them.
A decision of the Pharmacy Council of India is awaited regarding the fate of the diploma course.