PCI allows 1-year licence after first exit exam for DPharm students deferred

Nagpur: Coming to the rescue of diploma in pharmacy (DPharm) students across the country, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has allowed registration and issuance of licences to the batch admitted in 2022-23, after their exit exam was deferred by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

The DPharm Exit Examination (DPEE), comprising three papers, was originally scheduled to be held in October 2024. However, NBEMS deferred the exam, asking students to keep checking its website for regular updates. It didn't give any specific reason for the deferment, leaving the student community guessing.

Finally, the PCI notified the students on December 31 that the exam has been deferred indefinitely, and it was allowing registration and licences for one year for all students. The PCI had earlier barred students from renewing licences without taking the exit exam.

The statutory body has written to the health ministry seeking its nod to amend regulation 6 of DPEE 2022 under section 10 of the Pharmacy Act 1948, to hold just one paper instead of three. The decision was taken to save students from financial burden, the notification stated.

In the absence of registration certificates and licences, the graduating batch of 2024 had been unable to work as pharmacists or start their own businesses.

The students welcomed this decision of the PCI and govt. "After months of waiting, finally the registration is going on and the licence is being issued to students so that we can start our business/career," said a student.

The exit exam deferment left students in doubt. Examination fees were charged from all the students only to be returned later. Overall, the situation has become confusing. "The govt and the Pharmacy Council of India should immediately take serious note of this issue and make a decision as soon as possible, which will help students," they said.