Industry officials are concerned the centre at De Montfort University in Leicester allowed students who should have failed to pass their first year.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain said standards were down and exam rules were not followed.

A spokesman for the university has denied this and insisted the highest standards are always maintained.

Student quality

The society wrote to the vice chancellor of the university expressing concern about irregularities in assessments.

Courses at the university were not scheduled to be checked until reaccreditation was applied for in the 2005/2006 academic year.

Philip Green, from the society, said: "The society is investigating these serious allegations which could ultimately have the potential to affect student fitness to practice.

"We will be seeking to arrange a reaccreditation visit schedule with the Leicester School of Pharmacy as a matter of urgency.

"Special measures have also been put in place so that the society can closely monitor the standard and integrity of the MPharm (Hons) while the investigation is taking place."