The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) has stopped 14 universities and colleges from admitting students to their Pharm-D programmes. The council has also issued show-cause notices to 29 other institutions over compliance concerns.
The latest action brings the total number of institutions facing regulatory action to 43. The move highlights concerns about academic facilities and standards in pharmacy education across Pakistan.
Among the institutions barred from admissions are the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, Iqra University’s Islamabad campus, and Abasyn University.
The council has also served notices on several institutions. These include the University of Sindh, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, Bharghari Institute of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, and Nishtar Medical University.
According to the council’s published lists, six of the 14 institutions barred from admissions are located in Punjab. Seven are in Islamabad, while one is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Among the 29 institutions served with notices, 22 are in Punjab, four are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and three are in Sindh.
The three institutions in Sindh are the University of Sindh, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, and Bharghari Institute of Pharmacy in Matli, district Badin.
The council raised specific concerns about facilities at these institutions. At the University of Sindh, it objected to the pharmacy building also housing the Department of Eastern Medicine and Surgery.
The council also identified shortcomings at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University. It reported that the pharmacy laboratories were small and that other academic programmes were operating in the building designated for Pharm-D studies.
The institution was also found to lack a computer laboratory and a dedicated pharmacy library. These facilities are important for students pursuing professional pharmacy education.
At Bharghari Institute of Pharmacy, the council expressed concerns about the quality and competence of the teaching staff. It directed the institution to appoint qualified and professionally competent teachers without delay.
The show-cause notices give the affected institutions an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by the regulator. The consequences for each institution will depend on the relevant regulatory process and compliance requirements.
The action has renewed attention on the quality of Pharm-D education in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh. It also raises questions about institutional facilities, faculty qualifications, and compliance with academic standards.
Students planning to pursue pharmacy degrees should carefully check the latest recognition and admission status of their chosen institutions. They should consult official Pharmacy Council of Pakistan announcements before applying or paying admission fees.
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The council’s measures underline the importance of maintaining appropriate educational facilities and qualified teaching staff. Compliance with professional education standards is essential for institutions offering pharmacy programmes.
