Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) is a 6-year doctorate level degree in pharmacy. The curricular work of Pharm D includes 5 years of academic lessons along with 1 year of mandatory internship period. The minimum eligibility criteria to pursue Pharm D is to pass higher secondary from any recognized board/institution in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, English, and Biology as major subjects. The minimum mark required to study Pharm D is 45% to 50% in aggregate. Furthermore, B Pharm graduates can pursue a Pharm D course by applying for a lateral entry program, i.e., Pharm D course (Post Baccalaureate). Apart from that, students need to qualify for a diploma in pharmacy from a Pharm D college recognized by PCI to be eligible for the course Pharm.D as per mentioned by the Pharmacy Council of India.
The admission process for the Pharm D course is based on a merit list or an entrance examination. Some of the popular Pharm D entrance exams are BV CET, MET, and GPAT. Candidates can go through Pharm D syllabus to get an idea of the course structure and subjects required to study to pursue the same. Some of the important subjects included in the Pharm D syllabus are Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry and Hospital Pharmacy.
The average Pharm D course fees range between INR 6 LPA to INR 20 LPA. Some popular designations after completing the Pharm D course are, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy directors, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and other professionals who employ Pharm D graduates when they complete the programme. Applicants will work as pharmacists in both public and private hospitals. It provides a good return on investment because there are several job openings after completion of the programme. The average salary of Pharm D graduates ranges between INR 3,000 and INR 10,000. It is dependent on the company’s or organization’s size as well as its location. Home health care, community pharmacies, clinical pharmacies, geriatric pharmacies, managed care, governmental agencies, and other organizations are among the top recruiters.
Pharm D Course Highlights
The course highlights of the Pharm D Course are given below.
| Course Type | Doctorate |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 6 years |
| Examination Type | Semester-wise |
| Eligibility Criteria | Class 12th Board exams with 60% aggregate mark in science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Math. |
| Admission Process | Entrance exam |
| Course Fee | INR 6 LPA – INR 20 LPA |
| Average Salary (per month) | INR 3 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Home health care, community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, managed care, governmental agencies, etc. |
| Job Profiles | Pharmacists, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy directors, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, etc. |
Why Choose the Pharm D Course?
The Pharm D course has its own set of advantages and opportunities that sets it apart from other professional paths and responsibilities. Pharm D degrees are in high demand. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to enroll in the Pharm D course are as follows:
- Community involvement: Pharmacists play a vital role in the community by contributing to the health and well-being of patients and citizens. They also catered to minorities.
- Multiple employment options: This field offers a wide range of career opportunities. Pharmacists can work in a variety of settings, including businesses, nursing homes, hospitals, colleges, and the medical field.
- Work Consistency: They are a member of the healthcare team and collaborate with other experts to ensure that care is delivered in a consistent manner. They contribute significantly to the reduction of chronic disease management. They work in clinics as well, counseling patients.
- Growth: The pharmacy industry is growing at a breakneck pace these days. According to a survey by IBEF, India’s pharmacy industry is anticipated to rise by 2030. As a result, new job opportunities are created.
- Flexibility: Work hours are flexible, which helps to balance work and personal life. There are day shifts, night shifts, seven-on-seven-off shifts, and so on. You can work one of the shifts that are most convenient for you.
- Autonomy: Work provides autonomy because you can choose your workplace and working hours. You can work for someone else or create your own company.
Doctor of Pharmacy Course Types
Students who want to work in the healthcare field should get a Pharm D degree. The course will take 6 years to complete. There are two types of Pharm D courses that students can choose from:
Pharm D in Pharmacy (Pre-Baccalaureate)
Pharm D course (Pre-Baccalaureate) is a 6-year doctoral degree programme that requires students to complete 5 years of academic studies and a 1-year hospital internship. This programme is open to students who have finished their 10+2.
Pharm D in Pharmacy (Post Baccalaureate)
Pharm D course (Post Baccalaureate) is a three-year doctoral programme that includes two years of academic study and a one-year internship in a hospital. This programme is open to B Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy graduates.
Pharm D Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for college admission, those interested in pursuing a Pharm D must complete the qualifying standards listed below.
- All candidates must secure a minimum of 60% marks in their10+2 from a recognized board.
- Candidates belonging from reserved groups, such as SC/ST/OBC, are eligible for up to 5%-mark relaxation.
- All candidates who have finished their Pharm D course with a grade point average of 40 percent or higher are also eligible to pursue the Pharm D degree.
- All candidates must have PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) as mandatory subjects in the science stream.
- As a common entrance test for admission, other Pharm D colleges or universities have various eligibility conditions.
For the 6 years course, Pharm D eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- Candidates must have completed a 10+2 level of education from any state/national education board to be eligible for the 6-year Pharm D course.
- They must have taken Physics and Chemistry as required subjects, as well as Mathematics or Biology as electives.
- In the year of an entrance examination, they must have turned 17 years old.
- Candidates with a pharmacy diploma are also eligible for the Pharm D course if they meet all other requirements.
For the 3 years course, Pharm D eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- Candidates who have completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy course from an institute accredited by the Pharmacy Council of India are eligible for the three-year Pharm D course (Post Baccalaureate).
- They must have finished higher secondary education, such as 10+2 or equivalent, in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology.
Pharm D Admission Process: How to Apply?
Admission to the majority of Pharm D colleges and universities is mostly based on the Pharm D entrance examination. However, only a few universities offer admission based on a merit list. The merit list is compiled using the results of the 12th or comparable exams.
The steps for the Pharm D admissions process are listed below.
Admission by Merit List
- Fill up an Pharm D online application form and send it to the colleges or universities where you want to study.
- Pass all of your Class 12 exams with good marks.
- Colleges will release their merit lists when they are ready. Check to verify if the course you wish to take is appropriate for you.
- If you are eligible, go to the college and submit the necessary documents.
Note: The colleges/universities use the applicants’ qualifying exam result as the major criterion for admission.
Admission by Entrance Exam
The following are the steps to applying for Pharm D entrance exam-based admission.
- Registration: Candidates must register Pharm D online at the official website of the conducting body.
- Filling out the application form: Fill out the Pharm D online application form completely and accurately with all of the essential information.
- Documents to be uploaded: All necessary paperwork, such as mark sheets, should be scanned and uploaded. Documents must be uploaded in the format specified on the institute’s application website.
Application fee: A Pharm D fee for submitting an application is required.
After all candidates have been evaluated for eligibility, admit cards are distributed. The admit card must be downloaded and printed in order to be used on the day of the examination.
Exam: To prepare for the exam, review the curriculum and previous exam papers.
Show up for the exam on the stated date. The results are announced a few weeks after the exam date. If a candidate passes the admissions exams, they will move on to the next round.
- Counselling and admission: After passing the entrance tests, students are offered counselling. The student is now qualified to apply for the Pharm D course.
Note: Several Pharm D colleges/universities give an entrance exam for Pharm D admission. Admission is awarded based on the candidates’ entrance exam scores.
Pharm D Course Fee
A Pharm D course fee varies depending on the college or school. The Pharm D fees typically range from INR 6,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 (annually).
Candidates who fit into one of the reserved category groups or quotas are also given a stipend by each Pharm D college/university. Some reputed universities provide grants in Pharm D course fees to reserved category students.
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Pharm D Entrance Exams
Candidates need to pass the Pharm D entrance exam as part of the admission process. There are several entrance exams that are conducted for this purpose. These are conducted both at the state and national levels. Popular entrance exams are
| Exam Name | Details |
|---|---|
| NIPER JEE | It is conducted online on a national level by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of IndiaA total of 200 MCQ questions are askedThe exam duration is 2 hours |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth CET | It is conducted offline at the university level for admission to several courses All the 200 questions are multiple choice basedThere is no negative marking for wrong answersThe entire science curriculum at the higher secondary level is the syllabus for this entrance testThe exam is followed by group discussion and personal interview round |
| Dayanand Sagar University Admission Test | It is an MCQ based examTotal marks on the exam is 100There is no negative marking for wrong answersDuration of the exam is 2 hours |
| NIMS Entrance Exam | This national level test is conducted in offline modeThe mode of exam is EnglishA total of 100 questions are askedTotal marks of the exam is 100There is no negative marks for wrong answersCandidates can sit for the exam after completing their higher secondary education with a minimum of 45% to 50% marks in aggregate |
| VELS Entrance Exam | This is a university level entrance examIt is conducted by VELS, ChennaiThis exam is conducted in offline modeVELS Entrance exam is conducted once every yearCandidates will get 90 minutes to complete the examAll the questions are MCQ based |
| MU QET | It is conducted for the admission purpose of various courses into Manipal UniversityThis exam is conducted once every yearCandidates will get 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the examThe syllabus for the exam includes English, physics, chemistry and mathematics at the higher secondary levelTotal marks of the exam is 240-1 for every incorrect answer and +4 for every correct answerThere are a total of 2 papers in the exam |
| Maharashtra CET | This exam is conducted on a state levelIt consists of 3 papersEach paper has the time limit of 90 minutesAll the questions are MCQ basedIt is conducted in online modeThere is no negative marking in the exam |
| Integral University Entrance Test | English is used as the medium in this examMCQ type questions are askedTotal duration of the exam is 90 minutesA minimum of 50% marks is required at the higher secondary level in order to sit for this exam |
Pharm D Syllabus
The Pharm D subject list gives students a thorough understanding of pharmacological science and its varied applications. The Pharm D subjects focus on fundamental areas throughout the five-year academic programme, which includes a one-year internship. To make the Pharm D course more flexible, students study the disciplines in the Pharm D degree over a 10-semester period.
The Pharm D course curriculum is highlighted in the following section. The semester-wise Pharm D syllabus is listed below:
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Pharmaceutics |
| Medicinal Biochemistry | Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry |
| Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry | Remedial Mathematics/Biology |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Pathophysiology | Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
| Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals | Pharmacology- I |
| Community Pharmacy | Pharmacotherapeutics – I |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Pharmacology – II | Pharmaceutical Analysis |
| Pharmacotherapeutics – II | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence |
| Medicinal Chemistry | Pharmaceutical Formulations |
| Semester VII | Semester VIII |
| Pharmacotherapeutics – III | Hospital Pharmacy |
| Clinical Pharmacy | Biostatistics and Research Methodology |
| Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics | Clinical Toxicology |
| Semester IX | Semester X |
| Clinical Research | Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics |
| Clinical Pharmacokinetics | Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring |
| Clerkship | Project Work (Six months) |
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Pharm D Important Books
Reference books allow us to study topics and concepts in-depth. Hence, it is crucial to choose the right set of books. Here are the best books that assist aspirants while pursuing the PharmD course.
| Books | Authors |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy practice | Harikishan Singh |
| Hospital & clinical pharmacy | Paradkar, Siddique, Yadav |
| Handbook of drug information | Lacy Armstrong |
| Clinical pharmacology | Roger walker |
| Basic physiology | Sreekumar |
| Drug design | A.V.Kulkarni |
| Microbiology | Pelzer |
| Pharmacotherapeutics | Dipiro |
| Medical physiology | Guyton |
| Pharmaceutics | Aulton |
| Anatomy & physiology | Toro – Toro |
| Mathematics | S.S. Rangi |
| Immunology | Kuby |
| Organic chemistry | Morrison |
| Pharmacognosy | Kokate |
List of Popular Pharm D Course Specialisations
Students participating in the Pharm D course must finish the Indian Pharmacy Council’s regular curriculum. A Ph.D. in Pharmacy, on the other hand, allows individuals to specialize in a variety of areas based on their interests and inclinations. Some of the popular specializations are as follows
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Pathology
- Pharmaceutical R&D
- Medicine in general
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Industrial pharmacies
- Radiology
- Microbiology
D Pharm Top Colleges in India
In India, there are approx 250 Pharm D colleges. Entrance exams are used to determine admission to the majority of Pharm D colleges in India. Some of the best Pharm D colleges and institutions have been tabulated below.
The following is a list of the Pharm D colleges in India, along with their average annual fees (INR) and average annual Pharm D salary earned:
| College Name | Name of the City | Pharm D Fees Annual (Average) | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 2 LPA | INR 7.1 LPA |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | INR 1.5 LPA | INR 4 LPA |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Manipal | INR 4.3 LPA | INR 4.5 LPA |
| JSS College of Pharmacy | Udhagamandalam | INR 2.8 LPA | INR 3.2 LPA |
| LM College of Pharmacy | Ahmedabad | INR 1.7 LPA | INR 3 LPA |
| Goa College of Pharmacy | Panji | INR 2.9 LPA | INR 4.5 LPA |
| Poona College of Pharmacy | Pune | INR 1.7 LPA | INR 1.2 LPA |
| MM College of Pharmacy | Ambala | INR 1.3 LPA | INR 1.4 LPA |
| SRM University of Technology | Kanchipuram | INR 5.1 LPA | INR 8.3 LPA |
| Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University | Pune | INR 1.4 LPA | INR 7 LPA |
| Dayananda Sagar University | Bangalore | INR 13 LPA | – |
| MS Ramaiah University | Bangalore | INR 12 LPA | – |
| Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy | Bangalore | INR 17 LPA | – |
| Karnataka College of Pharmacy | Bangalore | INR 10 LPA | – |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai | Chennai | INR 7.5 LPA | – |
| Vels University – Vel’s Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies | Chennai | INR 20 LPA | – |
| Sri Venkateshwara College of Pharmacy | Hyderabad | INR 4.1 LPA | – |
| RVS College of Pharmaceutical Science, Coimbatore | Coimbatore | INR 4 LPA | – |
Difference between D Pharma and Pharm D
With the growing popularity of Pharmacy courses, the scope for the profession of a Pharmacist has significantly increased in the recent years. Pharmaceutical sciences encompass a wide range of medical, pharmaceutical, scientific, and educational topics. Due to the expanding scope of pharmacy, the need for pharmacy graduates has risen considerably in India.
India offers three primary pharmacy courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for people interested in a career in the pharmaceutical sector. Students can choose between Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharm course) and Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm D courses) at the undergraduate or doctorate level. Also, A master’s degree in pharmacy is accessible at the postgraduate level (M Pharm).
Here is the difference between Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharma course) and Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm D courses) tabulated below:
| Particulars | Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharma course) | Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm D course) |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the course | Diploma in Pharmacy | Doctorate of Pharmacy |
| Level of education | Undergraduate | Doctorate |
| Course type | Diploma course | Degree |
| Duration of course | 2 years | 6 years |
| Internship/training | No | Yes |
| Specializations offered | No | Yes |
| Eligibility | Passed class 12 with 55% marks | Qualified class 12 with at least 60% marks |
| Subjects studied | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths |
| Admission criteria | State entrance exams, university entrance tests, counseling based, merit-based admission | National/State level entrance tests |
| Exams accepted | AP EAMCET, state-level counselling, etc. | NIMSEE, GPAT, BV – CET, SRMJEE, etc. |
| Subjects included in the course curriculum | Human Anatomy & Physiology, Health Education & Community Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence, Drug Store and Business Management, Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology, etc. | Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, etc. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 80,000 | INR 1.75 LPA |
Pharm D Scope in India
Pharm D jobs are accessible in a variety of pharmaceutical and medical firms after graduation. Graduates with a Pharm D degree can work in both the private and public sectors. The programme prepares students for a wide range of Pharm D job opportunities that have arisen as a result of the public’s demand for better healthcare.
Following the completion of a Pharm D course, there are numerous academic and job options available. You can follow your own path if you want to:
- If you have completed your Pharm D course, you can continue your education with a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or the second year of B Pharma.
- You can get work in private and government hospital pharmacies. You can work at health clinics, NGOs, and other organisations by inspecting and advising on the delivery of medications.
- You can start your own retail or wholesale pharmacy and become an entrepreneur.
- Health centers, drug control administration, and medical dispensing stores are the leading recruitment sectors for Pharm D.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) recently approved a six-year professional degree called Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D). The Pharm D course is a broad field that includes a wide range of issues. In addition to the essential courses in pharmacy, this degree’s curriculum includes learning inpatient healthcare services. Because of the large number of courses accessible, Pharm D courses have a wide range of applications in India and abroad.
Pharm D Job Profiles & Salary
Pharm D course graduates can find work in a variety of industries, including BPOs, KPOs, governmental organizations, healthcare services, and business firms. The market is changing, and the demand for Pharm D courses in India is increasing in both the public and private sectors, indicating a significant shortage of healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals.
The various career paths and job profiles are discussed in full below, along with the functions they play and the average annual compensation they earn. Here are some of the Pharm D job profiles tabulated below:
| Job profiles | Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | A pharmacist’s job is to make sure that the drugs that are delivered to patients are proper and of good quality. They must advise patients on how to take medications, when to take them, and how to take them. | INR 2.8 LPA |
| Hospital pharmacy director | The hospital pharmacy director’s responsibilities include drug distribution, drug control, medication safety, clinical services such as patient care, and so on. | INR 3.9 LPA |
| Retail pharmacist | Retail pharmacists are responsible for dispensing and controlling both prescribed and non-prescribed medications. They place orders for medicines and other supplies and sell them. | INR 2 LPA |
| Drug expert | A drug expert’s job is to draught medicine use policies, rules, and regulations. They ensure that the health-care system improves. distributing prescription information in the form of newsletters | INR 5.8 LPA |
| Clinical pharmacists | Clinical pharmacists’ job is to look after patients and keep track of their health. Assesses the efficacy of patients’ medications. | INR 3 LPA |