July 31, 2010
School of Pharmacy, Kochi
 

In a colorful ceremony organized at the healthcare campus in Kochi, the Doctor of Pharmacy program (Pharm. D.) was inaugurated officially by the Honorable Minister for Co-operation of Kerala State, Shri. G. Sudhakaran.
 
 

With this, the Amrita School of Pharmacy became the first college in the state of Kerala to start dual programs in Pharm. D. (regular) of six years duration and Pharm. D. (post baccalaureate) of three years duration.
 

The Pharm. D. regular program will incorporate five years of pharmacy studies at college-level and one year of a full-time internship program.
 

The post baccalaureate program will enable students who have completed B.Pharm. degrees earlier to earn the Pharm. D. qualification.
 

“The profession of pharmacy is indispensable in the field of healthcare,” stated the Honorable Minister, in his inaugural address.
 

“Students who have joined Amrita for study are very fortunate. Here, you will be molded to become excellent professionals and better people.”
 

The Minister also highlighted Chancellor Amma’s role as the inspiration and guiding light for all projects and programs at Amrita.
 

“Students will gain an exposure to the hospital environment from their very first year,” stated Dr. K. G. Revikumar, Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy, in his welcome address.
 

“We have all the facilities here at the health care campus so that students can learn about all aspects of this subject.”
 

Dr. K. G. Revikumar was recently at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, to learn more about how Western universities deliver this program.
 

“With the commencement of Pharm. D. at Amrita, a new era begins in the field of pharmacy,” remarked Dr. Prem Nair, Medical Director, in his presidential address. “Now clinical pharmacists will play a significant role in patient care.”
 

Other who spoke included Prof. S. L. Nasa, President of Indian Pharmaceutical Congress and Registrar of the Delhi Pharmacy Council; Dr. R. Manavalan, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Prof. T. K. Ravi, Principal, SRIPMS, Coimbatore, and Dr. Mrs. P. G. Nair, Professor, Amrita Department of Pharmacology.