Pharmacy Education in India


Pharmacy Education in India Pharmacy education in India has evolved from modest beginnings in the 19th century to a modern, well-regulated profession. The earliest step was under Portuguese rule, with a certificate course started in Goa in 1842. By the late 1800s, structured training for compounders began in Bengal, and in 1874, a formal Chemist and Druggist program was introduced at Madras Medical College. A major leap took place in the 20th century when Banaras Hindu University (BHU) launched the first university-level degree program—a three-year B.Pharm course—under the leadership of Prof. M.L. Schroff in 1937. Soon after, postgraduate (M.Pharm) and doctoral (Ph.D.) courses were also established at BHU, marking the beginning of advanced pharmaceutical education and research in India. The Pharmacy Act of 1948 was a landmark in regulating pharmacy education and practice, setting minimum qualifications and creating the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to standardize and oversee the profession nationwide. Since then, pharmacy education has expanded steadily, especially after India’s economic liberalization in the late 20th century. Today, India has a vast network of institutions offering diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programs like the PharmD. The curriculum now integrates scientific theory, practical training, research, and clinical orientation, preparing graduates for roles in industry, academia, hospitals, and global healthcare. Timeline of Major Milestones 1842 – First pharmacy education course at certificate level in Goa under Portuguese rule. 1860 – Pharmacy education began at Madras Medical College, focusing on compounding and dispensing. 1932 – Banaras Hindu University (BHU) initiated a 2-year degree course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry under Prof. M.L. Schroff. 1937 – BHU introduced the first 3-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program in India. 1940 – BHU established the first Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) research program. 1948 – Enactment of the Pharmacy Act and establishment of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to regulate education and practice. 1953 – First Ph.D. in Pharmacy awarded in India at the University of Patna. 1998 – Establishment of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) to promote advanced research and training. 2008 – Introduction of the 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, emphasizing clinical and hospital pharmacy.


Pharmacy education in India has evolved from modest beginnings in the 19th century to a modern, well-regulated profession. The earliest step was under Portuguese rule, with a certificate course started in Goa in 1842. By the late 1800s, structured training for compounders began in Bengal, and in 1874, a formal Chemist and Druggist program was introduced at Madras Medical College.

A major leap took place in the 20th century when Banaras Hindu University (BHU) launched the first university-level degree program—a three-year B.Pharm course—under the leadership of Prof. M.L. Schroff in 1937. Soon after, postgraduate (M.Pharm) and doctoral (Ph.D.) courses were also established at BHU, marking the beginning of advanced pharmaceutical education and research in India.

The Pharmacy Act of 1948 was a landmark in regulating pharmacy education and practice, setting minimum qualifications and creating the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to standardize and oversee the profession nationwide. Since then, pharmacy education has expanded steadily, especially after India’s economic liberalization in the late 20th century.

Today, India has a vast network of institutions offering diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programs like the PharmD. The curriculum now integrates scientific theory, practical training, research, and clinical orientation, preparing graduates for roles in industry, academia, hospitals, and global healthcare.

Timeline of Major Milestones

·       1842 – First pharmacy education course at certificate level in Goa under Portuguese rule.

·       1860 – Pharmacy education began at Madras Medical College, focusing on compounding and dispensing.

·       1932 – Banaras Hindu University (BHU) initiated a 2-year degree course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry under Prof. M.L. Schroff.

·       1937 – BHU introduced the first 3-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program in India.

·       1940 – BHU established the first Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) research program.

·       1948 – Enactment of the Pharmacy Act and establishment of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to regulate education and practice.

·       1953 – First Ph.D. in Pharmacy awarded in India at the University of Patna.

·       1998 – Establishment of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) to promote advanced research and training.

·       2008 – Introduction of the 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, emphasizing clinical and hospital pharmacy.