Indian Journal of Pharmacology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751 Vol. 36, Num. 1, 2004, pp. 45

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 36, No. 1, Feb, 2004, pp. 45

Correspondence

Requirements of equipments and instruments for teaching pharmacology to undergraduates

C. Chauhan

Department of Pharmacology, Terna Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai - 400707, India.

Code Number: ph04014

Sir,

This has reference to views expressed in an editorial by B Gitanjali¹ and in a letter by Srivastava et al² in the IJP.

A similar dilemma as expressed by Srivastava et al² was faced by us. In this context, I have sent a letter to the Secretary, Medical Council of India (MCI), New Delhi wherein I have given details of equipment vis-a-vis the `objectives' and `skills' needed to be acquired at the end of the course as per the `MCI regulations on graduate medical education, 1997'. Through my letter, I have tried to draw MCI's attention to this anomaly. I am yet to receive a response to my letter which was sent to the MCI in December 2002.

However, hopefully, the ball has been set rolling and if a concerted effort is made we may hope that the list may be corrected / modified.

C. Chauhan

Department of Pharmacology, Terna Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai - 400707, India.

References

1. Gitanjali B. Cutting the foot to fit the shoe. Indian J Pharmacol 2002;34:300.
2. Srivastava SK, Ramanathan S. Appraisal of requirement of equipment and instruments for teaching of Pharmacology of undergraduates. Indian J Pharmacol 2002;34:286-8.

Reply

The views expressed by Chauhan are very valid. These views hold good for pre and para clinical subjects too. Though I do not want to sound pessimistic, I am not sure whether a single letter would have sufficient impact to initiate changes in the list of equipment proscribed by the MCI. Many more such letters would probably be needed before we see a visible change.

B. Gitanjali

Section Editor-Clinical Pharmacology, IJP.
E-mail: batmanabane@vsnl.com

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