Pharmacy Council sets 1:20 staff to students ratio, tightens faculty rules for B.Pharm programs

For institutions wishing to introduce new courses or specializations, additional requirements must be met. For B.Pharm programs, institutions must submit the consent of affiliation and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the state government. If the NOC issuance has been discontinued, a communication from the government must be uploaded. For Pharm.D and Pharm.D (PB) programs, institutions must provide a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a 300-bedded hospital in the prescribed format, along with the consent of affiliation.

PCI has also clarified the maximum number of admissions allowed for each program. D.Pharm is capped at 60 seats, B.Pharm at either 60 or 100 seats, M.Pharm specializations at 15 per specialization, Pharm.D at 30, Pharm.D (PB) at 10, and B.Pharm (Practice) at 40 seats.

Regarding payments and services, institutions must pay the Pharmacy Education Regulatory Charges (PERC) through available gateways such as Bill Desk, NEFT/RTGS, or SBI. New institutions are also required to pay a registration fee of Rs. 10,000, plus any applicable charges. Additionally, institutions may apply for services such as changes to their name, address, or location, the closure of courses, or mergers.

Institutions are required to submit their applications for various approvals through the PCI portal, open from December 18, 2024, to January 15, 2025. These approvals include the continuation of approval, introduction of new courses, and an increase in student intake. The PCI has emphasized the importance of early submissions to avoid delays caused by last-minute filings, as no extensions will be granted beyond the deadline.