The objective of the questionnaire based survey was to understand the needs of the present day hospital/community pharmacist, to evaluate the present diploma curriculum as per PCI and if any up gradation/modification could be recommended based on the actual requirements. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to the hospital/community pharmacists in the urban and rural areas of north Bangalore and their response was evaluated. The questionnaire was filled by 149 pharmacists. The results revealed that 99% of the pharmacists wanted continuing education programmes, majority of the respondents felt that diploma education in pharmacy was sufficient for a practicing pharmacist and 70% of the pharmacists were of the opinion that a subject on patient counseling and enhancement of communication skills should be a part of the curriculum. The results of the survey revealed that the present day pharmacist felt a need for up gradation of the syllabus, so as to confidently dispense ,counsel and discharge his/her duties as expected from the health care professionals.
Key Words: Pharmacist, Curriculum, Health care professionals.