Dr. S. Ravindra Babu is the Head of the Department of Pharm. D. He has fabulous experience of 20 years in the teaching sector. He accomplished his M.Pharm in the year 2002 from Dr.M.G.R Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 2022 from Andhra University, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He has done 30 publications and organized 10 seminars in his career. He is a Member of CPCSEA & APTI.

Check Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences[MRIPS]

You have fabulous 18 years of teaching experience, what are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector? What is the reason behind you are pursuing a career with Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences?

High Learning Productivity and New Quality Assessments is the main reason for pursuing a career with Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This is the profession where I can learn more and share my knowledge with the students and co-faculty. I can spend more time on research and get innovative ideas that will help our society.

Could you please provide an overview of your roles and responsibilities as the Head of The Department of Pharm.D at MRIPS?

Being a HOD of Pharma D my roles and responsibilities include subject allotment to the faculty members before the commencement of the academic year, checking the student’s attendance registers maintained by the staff members for every fortnight and preparing timetables as per the guidelines given by the Principal and inform the faculty members and students before the commencement of the class work. I myself collect lesson plans from teaching staff before the commencement of class work and instruct the faculty members to set the question papers as per instructions from the Principal and maintain confidentiality and evaluate the scripts promptly to meet the deadline given by the Principal. My responsibilities also include appointing faculty as a class in charge and mentors and allocating students to the mentors at the beginning of the academic year. I believe that communication with students regarding attendance particulars and their internal marks to the concerned parents from time to time with the help of the class in charge or faculty. Monitoring students who are absent or irregular in the classes with the help of the class in charge is also my responsibility. My secondary responsibility is to allow the project guides to the student batches as per guidelines given by the Principal and ensure academic discipline in the department. I believe in following guidelines/instructions given by the principal from time to time and monitoring student’s feedback. 

How do you envision the Pharm.D program evolving in the next few years to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry?

Pharm D graduates are applying their expertise in so many new creative and innovative ways across the healthcare spectrum. Opportunities for Pharm D graduates are expanding in clinical services, ambulatory care, and even the pharmaceutical industry, acting as medication experts with a strong scientific foundation. The opportunities are ever-growing. New roles are expanding for pharmacists in health systems to work directly with patients and to take on increasingly active roles in their care.

What are the current biggest challenges in the field of Pharmaceutical education domain in general, and how do you plan to address them as a HOD?

Pharm D programme was started in India 10 years back. In developed countries, Pharm D schools are producing pharmacists and they work in the healthcare sector, especially hospitals and pharmacy chains. In India, pharma education is more focused on pharma manufacturing and research and development. In the US, Pharm D is the minimum qualification for practicing the profession of pharmacy. Students are trained to be a part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The lack of practical subjects, training, and the option for students to choose from more versatile subjects are the biggest issues and challenges in education today. There is an urgent need to revamp pharmacy education in India and improve its quality through a series of measures such as upgrading the curriculum with present day’s needs and industrial participation. Minimum industry-institution collaboration in grooming future pharmacists.

In my opinion, the future trend in pharma education is digitalization. Expert lectures are available on the web and even demonstrations through video. It will be virtual learning and simulation models to develop skills. The need for every institution involved in imparting pharmacy education is to seek national and international accreditation to benchmark the quality necessary.

Check Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Courses & Fees

How do you plan to collaborate with industry professionals and organizations to provide real-world experiences and opportunities for students in the Pharm. D department at MRIPS?

Develop closer and more active links between industry and academic institutions. Regular interaction between the two is crucial to ensure that students are abreast of the developments taking place in the field and are able to themselves accordingly. MRIPS creates long-term training programs for students to impart practical learning opportunities, bringing industry leaders on board for lectures and establishing forums that help fresh graduates meaningful employment opportunities. 

Are there any specific extracurricular activities, clinical rotations, or healthcare outreach programs within the Pharm. D department that you believe offers unique learning opportunities for students?

Our Pharm D students are involved in Blood donation programs, NSS activities, conducting health camps in rural areas and helping poor people and community service etc.

Can you explain to us the infrastructural facilities available with respect to the Pharm D Department at MRIPS?

MRIPS has very good infrastructure facilities for Pharm D department that include well-equipped classrooms (audio-visual equipment), lecture halls, well-equipped labs, digital library, computer lab with high-speed internet, and a multi-specialty hospital where students gain clinical experience and knowledge with the help of experienced physicians. We also have a Drug information center (DIC) and Patient counselling room.

In your opinion, what sets MRIPS College apart in terms of the quality of education and opportunities it offers to Pharm D students?

We have well-experienced faculty to teach pharm D students and most of our faculty members have completed PhD with more than 10 years of teaching experience. Apart from that we regularly conduct placement drives to the pharm D 5th and 6th year students.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Do something you are passionate about: If you are doing something you are passionate about, you are just naturally going to succeed. Never stop learning: The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know.