Abstract
The current state of pharmacy education in Bangladesh and identification of the current gaps in terms of manpower development for the pharmaceutical sector are described in this paper. Information for the preparation of this paper was obtained from documents and interviews of stakeholders drawn from regulatory, industrial and educational agencies. Three levels of pharmacy education is currently offered in Bangladesh leading to either a university degree, a diploma or a certificate. Graduates with degrees work in industry while those with diplomas work in hospitals. Thus, hospitals are not benefiting from the training of pharmacy graduates just like community pharmacies that employ those with certificates. This situation is encouraged by lack of prescribed minimum standards required for the training of practitioners and practice of pharmacy in Bangladesh. Conflict of regulatory roles in the training of those with diplomas does exist. The state of pharmacy education in Bangladesh is less than satisfactory. A proper regulatory framework that ensures quality training of pharmaceutical manpower is lacking. Community and hospital pharmacies, therefore, have an unmet need in terms of the skill of the staff that operates them. The situation is further encouraged by the absence of minimum standards requirements for pharmacy practice.
Highlights
Delivery of Pharmacy Education in Bangladesh started with the provision of higher education supported by regulatory agencies and professional bodies in order to ensure proper quality assurance [1]
In order to ensure socioeconomic development, many countries that provide Pharmacy Education do so by having different types of programmes and courses leading to the award of a diploma or degrees [2]
Those, who have passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination can take a 3-month special certificate courses designed and jointly conducted by Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Society (BPS) and Bangladesh Chemists and Druggists Society (BCDS). Those who pass these certificate examinations are categorized as ‘C’ grade pharmacists by Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB) and they usually work in community pharmacies or run their own pharmacies .since there is no compulsory minimum standard requirement in terms of qualification and knowledge to be able to work as a technician in a pharmacy; anyone hardly takes this programme
Summary
Delivery of Pharmacy Education in Bangladesh started with the provision of higher education supported by regulatory agencies and professional bodies in order to ensure proper quality assurance [1]. The aim of this report is to present the state of pharmacy education in Bangladesh and identify the gaps in terms of quality manpower development for the pharmaceutical sector. This analysis of the state of pharmacy education was carried out in Bangladesh where lack of political will has failed in ensuring qualitative health care service provision despite an increasing number of healthcare facilities. It seems the institutions are responding to the high demands for pharmacy education by the citizens without proper federal planning for socioeconomic development.[6] Both public and private universities offer bachelor and master’s degree programmes.
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