Pharmaceutical E-learning: Precepts, retrospect and prospects

Abstract

The domain of pharmaceutical sciences is a highly dynamic one with the “half-life” of pharmaceutical information declining constantly. Be it the drug industry or the academic institutes, it is mandatory to keep abreast with the latest developments, and update our curricula and training contents accordingly. The traditional “chalk and talk” methods though are satisfying the objectives, yet have proved invariably to be monotonous and resourceintensive. The judicious use of web-based e-technologies in imparting training to the university students has been found to be interesting as well as rewarding. Being interactive, e-Learning in this context, presents the material in a structured manner and permits the student to progress at one’s own pace taking an individual path through the lesson. Globally, the pharmaceutical institutes and industries have already recognized the enormous potential of e-Learning, and are applying it too in the mundane training of their skilled workforce. A transition from the erstwhile “hard” educational course materials in the printed form to the current “soft” materials on CDs and DVDs has already begun. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical institutes and corporates of India are yet to harvest completely the utility of these effective and cost-effective e-Learning tools. But of late, the winds have started blowing in the favorable direction. With an increasing proportion of the young, computer-aware and “networked” population coupled with favorable gubernatorial policies, the future of e-Learning in India seems to be quite bright.