Pharmacy Students Gain Firsthand Experience During Hospital Visit in Sonapur

Diploma in Pharmacy Second Year students undertook a field visit to Sonapur District Hospital in Kamrup Metropolitan, Assam, as part of their curriculum for the subject Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy. The visit aimed to provide students with a closer look at the real-time operations of a hospital pharmacy and its role in the healthcare delivery system. Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by the hospital staff and had the opportunity to meet the Medical Superintendent, who graciously permitted the visit and expressed encouragement for such educational initiatives. He assigned Mr. Dibyajyoti Das, a registered pharmacist at the hospital, to guide the students during the session.

Exploring the Hospital Pharmacy

Mr. Das conducted an in-depth and interactive orientation session, walking the students through the layout, workflow, and functions of the hospital’s pharmacy. Students observed how prescriptions from both the Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) departments are processed. They were introduced to the dispensing process, including medicine selection, labelling, and in applicable cases, billing procedures. The group was shown how medicines are stored according to their temperature sensitivity and expiry timelines. Mr. Das explained key stock rotation methods, including FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out), both crucial in ensuring safe and effective use of medicines. Students were briefed on using manual and electronic registers to monitor stock levels and track medicine usage. They also learned about the requisition and supply process between the hospital pharmacy and central medical stores. The critical role of pharmacists in a hospital setting was underscored, especially in areas such as patient counselling, medication safety, and collaborative care with doctors and nurses. Maintaining hygiene standards and thorough documentation in the pharmacy environment was also emphasised.

The visit to Sonapur District Hospital proved to be a highly informative and enriching experience for the students. The detailed guidance provided by Mr. Dibyajyoti Das offered practical context to their theoretical studies, helping them understand the complexities of hospital pharmacy practice. Such field visits continue to play a vital role in preparing pharmacy students for the professional challenges of healthcare service, reinforcing their academic foundation with real-world experience.