Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Emerging doctor of pharmacy program in India: A survey on general opinion of selected educated Indians

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Raman Garipelly
. Shilpa Garg
. Uday Venkat Mateti

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharm D, St. Peter's Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and perception of general 
educated Indian individuals about Doctor of Pharmacy course.
Methods: A cross‑sectional structured Pharm.D questionnaire survey was conducted at 
educational institutions of India mainly through e‑mails. Pharm.D questionnaire survey was 
conducted over a period of six months. The questionnaire was classified into four major 
categories, including course‑related questions, roles‑related questions, critical comparative 
questions, and opinion‑based questions. The responses were collected and analyzed to assess 
the opinions and attitudes of the study population regarding the course Pharm.D.
Findings: Out of 2819 responses, 66.01% agreed that Indian syllabus, teaching procedure, 
and hospital training in institutions are enough to prepare an ideally graduated Pharm.D. 
Respondents of about 70.59% agreed that Pharm.Ds should take care of complete 
responsibility of drug therapy rather than physicians prescribing the medications and Pharm.
Ds fixing the dose. The statement “Pharm.Ds play a vital role in improving medication 
adherence through patient counseling” was accepted by 47.80%, whereas 41.40% did not 
accept it as they felt that the Pharm.D’s role in this regard is not more than the physician’s 
role, and 10.80% suggested that other healthcare professionals would play a better role. 
Among all the respondents, 73.64% of the study population was found to be ready for giving 
equal credit and respect to Pharm.Ds as physicians.
Conclusion: Our survey emphasizes on the opinion of educated people of having Pharm.Ds 
in both government and private hospitals to take care of complete therapy and for improving 
medication adherence.

Keywords

Doctor of pharmacy
pharmacy education
questionnaire
survey
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 1, Issue 2
November 2012
Pages 48-54

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