‘Policy-makers must find methods to utilise Pharma grads in patient care’

The Graduation Day of Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy (SVCP), Krishnamurthypuram, was held at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall here on Mar.31. Dr. K.S. Ravindranath, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bengaluru, who delivered the Graduation Address, said that a semester-based credit and grading course for Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy will be introduced from the next academic year.

“As per the UGC guidelines, from the next academic year, we will introduce a semester and grading system for UG and PG courses. Once we start the semester system, there will also be a change in the syllabus,” he said.

Stating that there are more than 1,000 pharmacy institutions,  including nearly 500 B.Pharma and other Diploma courses, across the country, he said that in Karnataka, there are nearly 55 Pharmacy institutions affiliated to RGUHS. Every year, more than 40,000 pharmacy students graduate across the country, he said and added these graduates are inclined more to industry while a few take up research.

“But it’s not the same in Western countries where more get into hospital and community service. Policy-makers and regulators should find methods on how best we can use these pharmacy graduates in patient care,” Dr.  Ravindranath said.

“Now, we have medicines for almost all diseases including tuberculosis and malaria. Apart from this, 30% of heart-related diseases can be cured through medicines which was not the same earlier. The new Central Government health policy is handy for common people as they have come up with diagnosis and drugs free of cost for poor people at all Primary Health Centres (PHCs). We should see that drugs reach all the people,” the VC added.

On the occasion, Dr. Ravindranath handed over graduation certificates to 22 B.Pharma and two M.Pharma students. Seema Mudhol bagged the overall tenth rank in State in First B.Pharm (83.25%). She also bagged nine ranks in other subjects.