Bridging the gap between industry and academia in pharmaceutical education

Abstract

Though Pharmaceutical industries are growing at a rapid rate, Pharmacy curriculum is not taken pharmaceutical industry into consideration. Both industry and academia have different mindsets and goals. Pharma curriculum is mainly oriented towards the conventional needs of an industry which inturn creates a gap between industry and academia. Pharma graduates do not possess adequate skills to meet all industrial requirements. Students should expose more practical experience apart from the theoretical knowledge. As the world is becoming more and more professionally competent, it is paramount to enhance professional standards of graduates to keep their wheel moving. This is possible through industry academia collaboration. Curriculam should be fostered with inclusion of case studies, training programmes, course works, and summer internships programmes. Simulation lab can also be introduced as it is provided realistic training and skills. Academia-industry interaction should consider as part of the education and industries should come forward and align the course contents with their needs. Academia also should bring changes in the educational system to ensure that industry expectation is met without compromising academic goals. This article emphasizes on gap between industry and academy, major flaws of pharma curriculum with respect to pharma industry, and strategies to improve the situation by laying special emphasis on inclusion of training programme.