Diploma in Pharmacy

Introduction

The Government of Nepal (GoN) is committed to bringing about tangible changes in access and utilization of Essential Health Care Services (EHCS), thereby improving the health status of the Nepalese population through health sector development process. Access to health care facilities continues to be a problem in rural areas as well as urban areas, especially for the most disadvantaged. Nepal’s health policy and strategy documents over the past several decades repeatedly identify issues regarding the deployment and retention of health sector human resource as a major problem that our country is facing. The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has been contributing towards the development of different middle level of health human resource. In this connection, CTEVT is producing Diploma in Pharmacy professional - as middle level pharmaceutical service providers. The CTEVT will award certificate of "Diploma in Pharmacy" to the candidates who successfully complete the requirements as prescribed by the council. The Diplomain Pharmacy professional will be able to work as Pharmacy Assistant in the Community Pharmacy, Hospitals and other Pharmaceutical services providing sites.

Mission of the Curriculum

To provide the document which direct CTEVT schools and faculty in the process of educating quality middle level pharmacy human resource to meet the requirements of pharmaceutical services in Nepal and abroad.

Strategy

The strategies to achieve our mission of professional excellence will be attained by maintaining expert faculty, implementing the curriculum, and enrollment of quality students.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Diploma in Pharmacy curriculum should be based on the development of pharmacy, as a profession for fulfilling the healthcare needs of the people with its socio-cultural impact on health. It should be based on code of conduct of Nepal Pharmacy Council. The approach should focus on pharmaceutical services for better health of the people.

Program Description

This course is based on the job required to perform by a pharmacy assistants at different levels of public and private health institutions in Nepal. The Diploma in Pharmacy program extends over three years. The first year focuses on basic science subjects; the second year focuses on basic medical science and pharmaceutical sciences. Similarly, the third year focuses on the professional practice focus courses and application of acquired knowledge and skills through comprehensive field practices in hospital, community pharmacies, drug manufacturing, regulation and quality assurance. The professionals are eligible for registration as pharmacy assistants in the Nepal Pharmacy Council. The contents of individual subjects prescribed in the curriculum are incorporated in the light of skills required for professional practice.

Aims and Objectives

The course aims to produce middle level pharmacy human resource with perfect technical skills that can face real life situation at the level they are aimed at.

The course enables students:

To prepare technically competent middle level pharmacy human resource who will demonstrate excellent service attitude and respect for the profession and socio-cultural values.
To develop middle level pharmacy human resource for good pharmacy practice in the hospitals as well as in the community settings.
To demonstrate leadership in managing quality supply of pharmaceuticals and to promote rational use of medicine within the healthcare facilities and at the community pharmacies.
To develop middle level pharmacy human resource in order to assist in production and quality assurance of pharmaceuticals.

Conceptual Framework

The course should reflect:

The need of pharmaceutical service for the proper care of a patient.
The roles and responsibilities of pharmacy assistant to improve the pharmaceutical supply system and to promote rational use of medicine.
The development of professionalism in pharmaceutical sector by addressing simple to complex ideas those are associated with epistemology, ontology and methodology in pharmacy.

Target Group

SLC pass candidates and/or equivalent

Group Size

40(Forty) students in a batch

Entry Criteria

The entry criteria are:

SLC or equivalent with English, Science and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Passed entrance examination organized by CTEVT.
Applicant should submit along with the following documents at the time of application:

SLC pass certificate or equivalent certificate
Character certificate
Citizenship certificate (for the name, parents name, age, date of birth and address verification purpose only).
Medical fitness certificate (at the time of admission)

Student quota for different category of students as per the policy of Nepal Pharmacy Council and CTEVT.

Medium of Instruction

English and/or Nepali

Course Duration

The diploma in Pharmacy program extends over three academic years. One academic year consists of maximum of 39 academic weeks and one academic week consists of maximum of 40 hrs.

Pattern of Attendance

Minimum of 80% attendance is required to appear in final examination.

Teacher and Student Ratio

The teacher student ratio is:

Overall ratio of teacher and student must be 1:10 (at the institution level)
Teacher and student ratio for practical demonstration 1:20
Student ratio for bench work 1:4
Each professional subject should have one full time teacher. (For example to run the 2nd and 3rd year course five full time faculties are necessary)

Program Coordinator, Teacher and Demonstrator

The qualifications of the program coordinator, teacher and demonstration are:

The program coordinator must be a master degree holder in related field or a bachelor degree holder in related field with minimum 3 years' experience in teaching activities.
The teacher must be a bachelor degree holder with minimum 3 years' experience in related field.
The demonstrator must have an intermediate level degree in related field with 2 years' experience in teaching activities.
For basic science and general subjects the teacher must have a master's degree in related field.

Instructional Media and Materials

The following instructional media and materials are suggested for the effective instruction and demonstration.

Printed Media Materials (Assignment sheets, Case studies, Handouts, Information sheets, Individual training packets, Procedure sheets, Performance Check lists, Books.). Student Textbook ratio 1:2, reference book 10:1
Non-projected Media Materials (Display, Models, Flip chart, Poster, Writing board etc.).
Projected Media Materials (Opaque projections, Overhead transparencies, Slides etc.).
Audio-Visual Materials (Audiotapes, Films, Slide-tape programs, Videodiscs, Videotapes etc.).
Computer-Based Instructional Materials (Computer-based training, Interactive video etc.).

Comprehensive Professional Field Practice

The details of professional practice and field visit within the course are as follows:

Consists of 8½ weeks.
Comprehensive professional practice should be conducted in hospitals, PHC, Health Post, community pharmacies that are listed (accredited after regulation regarding accreditation is approved) in Nepal Pharmacy Council (NPC).
Field visit to Pharmaceutical Industry (approved by DDA), Regulatory (DDA) and QA/QC Lab total 3 days.
During field practice there should be at least one teacher (either from health facility or training institution).
Student Field Log book according to NPC is compulsory.

Teaching Learning Methodologies

The methods of teachings for Diploma in Pharmacy program will be a combination of several approaches. Such as Illustrated Lecture, Group Discussion, Demonstration, Simulation, Guided practice, Practical experiences, Fieldwork, Laboratory observation, Hospital and community visit, Term paper presentation, Case analysis, Tutoring, Role-playing, Heuristic and Other Independent learning.

Theory: Lecture, Discussion, Assignment, Group work.
Practical: Demonstration, observation and Self-practice.
Extracurricular activities

Disciplinary and Ethical Requirements

Intoxication, insubordination or rudeness to peers will result in immediate suspension followed by review by the disciplinary review committee of the college.
Dishonesty in academic or practice activities will result in immediate suspension followed by administrative review, with possible expulsion.
Illicit drug use, bearing arms on campus, threats or assaults to peers, faculty or staff will result in immediate suspension, followed by administrative review with possible expulsion.

Methods of Evaluation

Internal assessment
There shall be a transparent evaluation system for each subject both in theory and practical exposure
Each subject will have internal evaluation at regular intervals of 4 months and students must get the feedback about it.
Weightage of theory and practical marks will be according to the course structure.
Clinical/field assessment format must be developed and applied by the evaluators for evaluating student's performance in each subject related to the clinical experience.
NPC regulations and guidelines have to be followed where ever instructed.
Final examination
Weightage of theory and practical marks will be according to the course structure.
Students must pass in all subjects both in theory and practical to qualify for certification. If a student becomes unable to succeed in any subject s/he shall appear in the reexamination organized by CTEVT.
Students shall be allowed to appear in final examination only after completing the internal assessment requirements.
Requirement for final practical examination
Pharmacist faculties involved in the teaching learning must evaluate final practical examinations.
One examiner in one setting can evaluate not more than 20 students in a day.
Practical examination should be administered in actual situation on relevant subject with the provision of at least one internal examiner from the concerned or affiliating institute led external examiner (subject expert) nominated by CTEVT. Provision of re-examination as per CTEVT's rules and regulations.
Pass Marks

The pass marks for theory and practical examinations are: 40% in theory examination and 60% in practical examination.

Grading System

The following grading system will be adopted

Pass division: Pass aggregate to below 60%.
Second division: 60% to below 65%.
First division: 65% to below 80%
Distinction: 80% or above.

Certificate Award

The council for technical education and vocational training will award the certificate of "Diploma in Pharmacy" to the candidate who successfully completes the requirements as prescribed by the CTEVT.

Career path

The professionals will be eligible for the position as Pharmacy Assistants or as prescribed by the Public Service Commission in the public health facilities. They are also eligible to provide the quality pharmaceutical service in the Hospital and community pharmacies according to Nepal Pharmacy Council Act and Regulation. The professional is eligible for registration with the Nepal Pharmacy Council in the grade as mentioned in the Nepal Pharmacy Council Act 2057(2000).