Transforming healthcare through integration of clinical pharmacy services in an indian hospital

Abstract

In 2008, India introduced the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, and since the graduation of the first regular 6-year batch in 2014, some progress has been made in the integration of Pharm.D’s as clinical pharmacists in various hospitals. However, the full potential of Pharm.D remains untapped due to factors - such as limited awareness, lack of clinical training opportunities in affiliated hospitals, and insufficient collaboration with physicians. To address these challenges and set an exemplary model, the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPS) at Dayananda Sagar University (DSU) and Avenida Innovations have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative. They have established a department of clinical pharmacy at the Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research (CDSIMER) tertiary care hospital to provide pharmaceutical care services and enhance patient outcomes. This unique endeavor aims to integrate clinical pharmacists into the core healthcare team, starting from their internship days.