A new era of pharmaceutical sciences has ushered due to rapid interfacing of different newly emerged disciplines. It appears that the pendulum of pharmaceutical sciences is slowly swinging more towards life sciences applied medical and healthcare sciences, biotechnology and information technology. We are now in the midst of a scientific revolution; a revolution is largely driven by advances in biotechnology, (Molecular biology, Life Sciences, Healthcare Sciences) pharmaceutical technology, computer sciences. With such incredible changes the definition of pharmaceutical sciences will have to be altered and consequently the prospective role of pharmacist, pharmacy profession and pharmacy education need to be redefined.

During last decade pharma industry under went a complete transformation due to liberalisation, globalisation, emerging GATT era and then India becoming a member of WTO coupled with major shift in Govt’s economic policy. All these events led to severe competition, demand of high quality standards of drugs and pharmaceuticals introduction of new generation of drugs, emerging biotechnological methods for the production of extremely efficacious drugs.

Increased understanding of etiology of diseases due to advances in biology, immunology and microbiology have lead to the development of ultra sensive rapid diagnostic aids and tools. Along with these the availability of sophicated biomedical equipments and instruments for diagnosis and new technologies and devices for the effective treatment of diseases. Such rapid advances demands the greater responsibility of pharmacists working in hospitals and community.

In such era of rapid changes the only uncertainty is certainty. Therefore, pharmacy educational institutions, Universities, Govt. regulatory bodies (AICTE, PCI and DTE of Maharashtra) with the partnership of pharmaceutical and healthcare industries must analyse and understand the situation and work together with new attitude, vision and secrendipity for evolving the state-of-the-art of pharmacy education in India. This would requires a well-designed curriculum and syllabus, resource identification, faculty development and student selection.

The pharmaceutical industries are already driven to adopt new corporate strategies, renewed management culture and systems, application of innovative technologies, intellectual related activities like Contract Clinical and developmental research, IPR, horizontal and vertical technology transfer, contract/toll manufacturing and marketing for their sustained growth and the very survival.

In the 21st century the greater knowledge based and more sophisticated technology will present many more challenges and opportunities than afforded now. The pharmacy teachers, students and practitioners in 21st century will much to learn and much more to do.

- Principal Dr. (Mrs.) P.M.D'mello