Historical background and development of profession of pharmacy


1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHARMACY EDUCATION IN INDIA Beginning of Pharmacy Education First pharmacy course started in December 1860 at Madras Medical College. Focus: compounding, dispensing, and labeling pharmacopoeial preparations. Establishment of Degree Level Pharmacy 1932: First degree course in pharmacy at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Prof. M.L. Schroff (Father of Modern Pharmacy in India) introduced a 2-year B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 1937: Start of 3-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) course at BHU. Postgraduate Pharmacy Education 1940: BHU introduced M.Pharm (1 year research course). 1952-53: Duration extended to 1.5 years, including classroom teaching + research. Later, Ph.D. programs in Pharmacy were introduced. Development of Advanced Institutes 1990: Establishment of B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and Research Development (PERD) Centre, Ahmedabad. 1994: Establishment of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali. Specialized in pharmaceutics, biotechnology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, natural products, etc. Regulation of Pharmacy Education Controlled by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). Candidates must join PCI-approved colleges. Official list available at www.pci.nic.in . Nature of Pharmacy Education Blend of theory + practical classes + examinations. Includes industrial or hospital training depending on the course.


HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHARMACY EDUCATION IN INDIA

Pharmacy education in India has a rich historical background shaped by the evolving healthcare needs of the country and global influences on medicinal sciences. The journey began in December 1860 at Madras Medical College, where the first formal pharmacy course was launched to train professionals in compounding, dispensing, and labeling pharmacopoeial preparations. The focus was primarily on assisting doctors and ensuring the safe preparation of medicines.

The next milestone was achieved in 1932, when Banaras Hindu University (BHU) established the first degree-level course in Pharmacy under the visionary leadership of Prof. M.L. Schroff, fondly remembered as the Father of Modern Pharmacy in India. Initially, he introduced a 2-year B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, which laid the foundation for professional pharmacy education. By 1937, the university advanced this into a 3-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program, marking the real beginning of structured higher education in pharmacy.

Postgraduate studies soon followed, with BHU introducing the Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) in 1940, as a 1-year research-based course. To strengthen both research and teaching, the program was expanded in 1952-53 to 1.5 years, incorporating formal classroom teaching alongside research. Over time, doctoral research opportunities emerged, giving rise to Ph.D. programs in pharmacy that contributed significantly to new drug discovery, pharmacological advancements, and pharmaceutical technology.

By the late 20th century, pharmacy education in India gained institutional strength through the establishment of advanced centers of excellence. A landmark development was the creation of the B.V. Patel PERD Centre in Ahmedabad (1990), dedicated to research-driven pharmaceutical education. This was followed by the prestigious National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali in 1994, which specialized in cutting-edge domains like pharmaceutics, biotechnology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and natural products. These institutions elevated Indian pharmacy education to international standards.

The regulation of pharmacy education has been overseen by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), ensuring standardization of curriculum, infrastructure, and training methodologies. Only PCI-recognized institutions are authorized to admit students, and the official list of approved colleges is regularly updated on the PCI website.

In terms of the nature of learning, pharmacy education in India has always been designed as a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, with students required to undergo laboratory work, examinations, hospital or industrial training, depending on the course level. This holistic approach has not only ensured professional competency but also aligned graduates with the needs of both clinical healthcare services and pharmaceutical industry.

Major Milestones in Indian Pharmacy Education

Year/Period

Milestone/Event

Details

1811

First chemist shop in Kolkata

Start of pharmacy practice

1842

Certificate course in Goa

Portuguese era pharmacy training

1860–1870

Madras pharmacy class & Chemist/Druggist program

First structured teaching, exams

1868

Indian Pharmacopoeia published

Set national drug standards

1932

First B.Sc. Pharmacy at BHU

Beginning of higher education in pharmacy

1937

First Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) at BHU

Milestone university degree

1940

Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) at BHU

Progressive research program

1948

Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) founded

National regulation begins

1953

First Pharmacy Ph.D. in India

Advanced academic research

1990

PERD Centre, Ahmedabad

Research-focused education

1994–present

NIPER, Mohali & others

National institutes of excellence