Challenges To Pharmacy Students Training in Community Pharmacies

Pharmacy students are the future health care practitioners who will provide not only quality pharmaceutical services but also health promotion guidance to communities (1). If they are not well trained in the community health needs, this will directly affect on the future quality of care in the community. Worldwide pharmacy graduates are found more inclined to practice in community pharmacy setting. This initiative will not only help them in practicing their knowledge but also act as a profitable earning source.

As a future health care practitioner, pharmacy students need to undergo through a specific number of training hours (internships), either in community /hospital settings. To be registered as a pharmacy practitioner, in most countries, pharmacy students need to undergo a specific number of training hours (internships), either in community or hospital settings. However, in some developing countries such as in India, Pakistan, Sub Saharan African countries, internship requirements are not necessary to become a registered practitioners [2,3,4,5]. Students are free to choose according to their area of interest i.e hospital or community pharmacy. At the end of the training period, all students are given certificates of acknowledgement that they have taken the required period of training. A question do arise here, that is did all the students get the same benefit from training? Were they have been exposed to the same environment? Definitely, majority will say No. The main reason behind this are certain challenges that pharmacy students face during their internships in the community pharmacy.