APSCHE responds to Pharm.D Stipend and cancellation of tution fee during internship
Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has responded on the issue of Stipend and fee to be paid during internship for Doctor Of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) Students. The First batch of Pharm.D which is expected to be out in second half of 2014 are currently doing internship in the hospitals linked to their respective colleges. These students have been fighting for a long time regarding the stipend to be paid during their internship/Clerkship (6th year) of their course.
While Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) responded few months back by issuing a Official circular from the body which stated that the issue of demand for stipend for Pharm.D students was considered in the central council meeting conducted in July 2013 and presented with two choices : Either the institution must collect only 50% of fee from the students of VI th year during internship period or Pay stipend of Rs 5000/- per month during the period of VI th year (internship). But Colleges refused to take any action on this and some some colleges even said their students its just an circular asking for an opinion of college managements regarding the issue and will take time for the things to get clear. While some other colleges forced their students to pay their fee for 6th year full in advance!
But recently, K. Sateesh Reddy, The Special Secretary to Government Higher Education has responded to the Right to Information (RTI) filed by the PharmD Doctors Welfare Association. In a Circular issued by APSCHE it is stated that :
- As per reference (3) cited, the managements of the pharmacy colleges have to enter MOU, with hospitals concerned, which are offering internship training and shall pay an amount of Rs. 25,000! per annum per student towards providing training in the hospitals, which the management of the colleges must have paid.
- As per the Gazette of India, Pharma-D course is of 6 years of which 5 years is of study and one year is of internship. As per rules governing Post Matrics/Ship that Scholarship will not be paid for the period of internship/housemanship in the M.B.B.S course or practical training in other courses.
- In the light of the above, it is evident that, the students of First Batch of Pharm.D course need not pay fees in any form towards the 6th year internship of the course to the management of the college except paying tution fee for the first 5yrs of the course as prescribed by AFRC.
- Thereby, the representation of the student appears to be Genuine In this regard, I am by direction, Submit remarks on the issue to the government for issuing suitable orders with the instructions to the management of pharmacy colleges offering Pharm.D course, That Collection of tution fees for 6th year of the course (internship) is not permissible.
APSCHE is general body concerned only to the state of Andhra Pradesh. it is to be seen how Pharmacy Council Of India (PCI) and Pharmacy Colleges will react to this circular. However we hope Pharm.D students will get a fair advantage and fee will not be collected/stipend would be paid in the near future.