Pharmacists Qualification Experience

Hospital Pharmacy

Qualification and experience requirements for a pharmacist in a hospital pharmacy.

Qualifications: A pharmacist working in the hospital must have a registration number issued by the state pharmacy council. Both, the hospital in which the person is working as a pharmacist and the state pharmacy council issuing registration numbers should be from the same state.

State pharmacy council issue registration number to candidate having the following qualifications:

1. Degree or diploma in pharmacy granted by an institution approved by the pharmacy council of India. or

2. Qualification granted by an authority outside India and recognized by the pharmacy council of India or

3. Registered pharmacist in any other state

The Pharmacy Council of India notified on 16 January 2015 that a person working in a hospital as a pharmacist will be a pharmacy practitioner.

“Pharmacy Practitioner” means an individual licensed, registered or otherwise authorized under the Act to counsel and/or administer drugs in the course of professional practice. Pharmacy practice regulations divide pharmacist working in the hospital under the following categories.

1. “Community pharmacist”

   Minimum qualification: Registered Pharmacist.

   Experience requirements:

   • Worked according to legal and ethical guidelines to ensure the correct and safe supply of medical products to the general public.

   • Involved in maintaining and improving people's health by providing advice and information. Involved in supplying prescription medicines.

2. “Hospital Pharmacist”

   Minimum qualification: Registered Pharmacist.

   Experience requirements: 

   • Worked in a hospital pharmacy service, primarily within the public/private sector. Responsible for ensuring the safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines.

   • Gained specialist knowledge to dispense drugs and advise patients about the medicines which have been prescribed.

   • Worked collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to devise the most appropriate drug treatment for patients.

   • Involved in manufacturing required drug treatments.

3. “Drug Information Pharmacist”

   Minimum qualification: Registered Pharmacist.

   Experience requirements:

   • Worked in a community pharmacy/hospital Pharmacy/teaching hospital/ other health care settings and provides information and advice regarding

     • drug interactions,

     • side effects,

     • dosage and

     • proper medication storage to patients/physicians/dentists/other health care professionals.

4. “Clinical Pharmacist”

   Minimum qualification: Registered Pharmacist. The pharmacy council of India notified some additional qualifications on the 30th of June 2021 for clinical pharmacists.  These are

   1. Pharm.D from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India; and Undergone training in-

      • Involvement in formulary development, drug use evaluation, and quality assurance activities;

      • Ambulatory care experience;

      • Research and analyse the medical literature including drug information, disease states, and clinical practice guidelines;

      • Extensive knowledge of pharmacy and its related subdisciplines (therapeutics, pharmacology, physical pharmacy), formulary development, drug use review, quality assurance, legal, regulatory, and standards of practice;

      • Practical experience for new recruits as specified by the Pharmacy Council of India;

      • Fluent in English and the regional language of the place in which the Clinical Pharmacist works.

   Experience requirements:

   • Experience in patient care that optimizes the use of medication and promotes health, wellness and disease prevention.

   • Experience to care for patients in all healthcare settings.

   • Experience to collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

A hospital Pharmacy can fix any other qualification in addition to above said qualifications for different designations in a hospital pharmacy organizational structure. For example,

1. A hospital pharmacy may fix a minimum qualification for a chief pharmacist of the hospital pharmacy: M.Pharm specialisation in pharmacology, pharmacy practice or clinical pharmacy with a PhD. Or Pharm D with suitable experience.

2. Pharmacists in a hospital pharmacy engaged in manufacturing should have qualifications and experience as mentioned in the Drug and Cosmetic Act and notified by the drug control authority of the state,

3. Similarly, Pharmacists engaged in quality control of the drugs should have qualifications and experience as mentioned in the Drug and Cosmetic Act and notified by the drug control authority of the state,

4. Pharmacists engaged in patient handling should have a degree or diploma in pharmacy. 

5. etc.

Compiled by: Alok Bains

Hospital Pharmacy

Qualification & Experience Requirements

Alok Bains