PharmD stands for Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy that prepares individuals to be pharmacists. PharmD programs typically take six years to complete including a 1-year compulsory internship. The coursework includes pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and other pharmaceutical sciences, as well as clinical rotations in various pharmacy settings.
Pharm D Admissions are done on the basis of a merit list or entrance examination. The popular entrance examinations are BV CET, MET, GPAT, etc. Students have another path of studying Pharm D which is through Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate). Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate) can be studied by B Pharmacy graduates when they get admitted to Pharm D program as lateral entry.
The average fee for the Pharm D is INR 6,00,000 - INR 20,00,000. The different job profiles for Pharm D graduates includes Pharmacists, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy directors, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, etc. The average annual salary package for freshers is INR 3,00,000 - INR 10,00,000.
2.2 Who should do Pharm D Course
3.3 Entrance Exam
4.2 Pharm D vs. MBBS
4.3 Pharm D vs. MD
5.1 PharmD Subjects
5.3 PharmD Books
Pharm D Course Highlights
The course highlight includes the duration, eligibility, admission process, colleges, top recruiters, job profiles, fee and salary.
Course type | Doctorate |
Duration | 6 years |
Examination Type | Semester wise |
Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks with science stream |
Admission process | Entrance exam |
Course Fee | INR 6,00,000 - INR 20,00,000 |
Average Salary (per month) | INR 3,00,000 – INR 10,00,000 |
Top Recruiters | Home health care, community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, managed care, governmental agencies, etc. |
Job Position | Pharmacists, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy director, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, etc. |
Pharm D: What is it about?
Pharm D is an important course that deals with the study of pharmaceuticals, medicine and drug-related practice.
- The course is divided into two stages. The first stage includes academic study. The total duration of this stage is for a period of 5 years. The second stage is the internship and residency training that involves pharmacy practice or clinical pharmacy service.
- The course was launched in India in 2008 and is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India.
- Doctor of Pharmacy is a combination of science and the art of dispensing medicines.
- Students are acknowledged as practical in clinical pharmacy, and medical pharmacy.
- After completing the course, students are gained with the skills in diagnosis, therapeutics usage of drugs, treatment and selection of diseases, etc.
- They perform tasks like monitoring patients, diagnosing the disease, etc.
Why Study PharmD?
The PharmD course has its own set of advantages but it also gives an edge in the competitive world. The demand for PharmD graduates is high.
- Involvement in the community: Pharmacists are an important part of the community because they contribute to the health and welfare of the patients and residents. Also they served minorities.
- Many career options: There are a variety of career options in this field. Pharmacists can work in organizations, nursing homes, hospitals, colleges, and the medical industry.
- Part of the Healthcare Team: They work with the other professionals to ensure the continuity of care. They are playing an important role in decreasing chronic disease management. They are also a part of clinics, counseling patients.
- Growth: The growing rate of the Pharmacy industry is very fast these days. According to a report by IBEF, the Pharmacy Industry in India is expected to grow upto USD 65 Billion by 2024 and would double its size by 2030 to USD 130 Billion. Hence creating more employment opportunities.
- Flexibility: There is flexibility in work hours and it balances the work – personal life. There is day shift, night shift, 7 on shifts or 7 off shifts. You can choose either of the shifts which are comfortable.
- Autonomy: There is autonomy in work as you can choose your workplace and work hours. You can do a job or start your own business.
Who should do Pharm D Course
- Aspirants who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare can pursue the Pharm D course
- Candidates who are interested in working with various drugs regulation authorities and preventing medical or drug overdose should pursue this course.
- Candidates who want to pursue a career in pharmaceutical must pursue this course.
Pharm D Admission Process
The admission to the majority of the Pharm D courses are done mainly on the basis of entrance examination.However few of the colleges provide admission on the basis of merit list. The merit list is prepared on the basis of the marks obtained in 12th or equivalent exams.
The detail of the PharmD admission process has been described in the following section.
What is Eligibility Criteria for PharmD?
To be apply for PharmD Course candidate but fit in the eligibility criteria:
- Qualify 10+2 with minimum of 60% marks from a recognized board.
- Relaxation of up to 5% marks is considered for reserved categories such as SC/ST/OBC.
- Candidates who have completed their D.Pharm course with 40% in aggregate are also eligible to study for the Pharm D course.
- Science stream with PCB (Physics, chemistry, Biology) or PCM (Physics, chemistry, Mathematics) as subjects are preferred.
- Some colleges or universities have different eligibility criteria as a common entrance test for admission.
Pharm D Admission Process 2024
Pharm D admission to the top colleges are done mainly through the entrance examination. The admission process generally takes place between May and June of each year. However the entrance exam has been postponed due to the second wave of the covd 19 pandemic. However, the entrance examination dates are expected to be released soon.
However, the candidates are required to follow the following steps in case of admission
- The registration form will be released on the official websites of the respective colleges or universities.
- The candidates are required to register themselves and fill in the application details. Then the candidates must fill up their admission form and upload the necessary documents
- Students have to submit the registration/application fee on the online portal before the last date and take out a receipt for further reference.
- The candidates must download the admit card and appear in the entrance exam
- Some colleges conduct counseling or GD/PI for the final selection.
- After final selection the candidates are required to pay the admission fee and confirm their seat.
PharmD Entrance Exam
To secure admission in the program candidates must clear national level or university level entrance exams. Some the entrance exams for PharmD are: Some of the important dates related to these entrance exams are discussed below.
Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
---|---|---|
GPAT | April 19 – May 08, 2024 | June 08, 2024 |
MHT CET | January 16 to March 8, 2024 | April 16 to 23, 2024 |
PU CET | March 27 – April 25, 2024 | May 12, 2024 |
NMIMS NPAT | December 06 – May 20, 2024 | January 1, 2024 to May 25, 2024 |
CUCET | May 30, 2024 | October 20, 2023 – May 31, 2024 |
DSAT | To be Announced | January 27 – 28, 2024 |
How to Prepare for PharmD Entrance Exams?
Some preparation tips to clear entrance exams of respective college and universities:
- Be aware of the subject and entrance exam held in that course.
- Go through the previous year papers to get the knowledge about the exam pattern, sections.
- Be up to date with exam marks, section marks, per question marks, negative marking, etc.
- You should give a weekly test through online mode to save and utilize the time in study.
- One should have strong general awareness and English communication and writing skills.
- Learn from help books with the study material provided by the institute.
How to get Admission in Top PharmD Colleges?
Student can follow these guidelines to get admission in a good college or university:
- Try and score maximum marks in entrance exams to increase your chances of getting into your dream colleges.
- A good academic background is always a bonus.
- Boost your skills with extra co – curricular activities.
- Be aware of your interest area, strengths and weaknesses during your prep.
- Work on your weak areas to get best results and improve your soft skills.
PharmD: Course Comparison
The following tables compare Pharm D with some of the top similar courses.
Pharm D vs. BPharm
Parameters | Pharm D | BPharm |
---|---|---|
Duration | 6 years | 4 years |
Degree Type | Doctoral | Undergraduate |
Eligibility | Class 12 with biology | Class 12 |
Admission Process | Entrance exams and merit-based | Merit and entrance exam-based |
Average Course Fee | INR 3,00,000 - INR 10,00,000 | INR 15,000 - INR 1.25 L |
Average Salary | INR 3 LPA | INR 3 LPA - INR 5 LPA |
Top Colleges | Poona College of Pharmacy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Goa College of Pharmacy, Chandigarh University (CU), NIMS University | ICT Bombay, Jamia Hamdard University, Jadavpur University, Bombay College of Pharmacy |
Top Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Lupin, Sanofi | Sun Pharma, Cipla, Biocon Ltd, Dr Reddy’s, Wockhardt Pharmaceuticals |
Pharm D vs. MBBS
Parameters | Pharm D | MBBS |
---|---|---|
Duration | 6 years | 5 years |
Degree Type | Doctoral | Undergraduate |
Eligibility | Class 12 with biology | Class 12 with PCB |
Admission Process | Entrance exams and merit-based | Entrance exam based |
Average Fees | INR 3,00,000 - INR 10,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 - INR 50,00,000 |
Average Salary | INR 3 LPA | INR 7.3 LPA |
Top Colleges | Poona College of Pharmacy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Goa College of Pharmacy, Chandigarh University (CU), NIMS University | AIIMS Delhi, CMC Vellore, BHU, KMC Manipal, JIPMER, KGMU |
Top Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Lupin, Sanofi | Fortis Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Sri Ganga Ram Hospitals, Sun Pharma, Cipla |
Pharm D vs. MD
Parameters | Pharm D | MD |
---|---|---|
Duration | 6 years | 2 years |
Degree Type | Doctoral | Postgraduate |
Eligibility | Class 12 with biology | 50% marks in MBBS |
Admission Process | Entrance exams and merit-based | Entrance exams based |
Average Fees | INR 3,00,000 - INR 10,00,000 | INR 10,00,000 - INR 12,00,000 |
Average Salary | INR 3 LPA | INR 8.2 LPA |
Top Colleges | Poona College of Pharmacy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Goa College of Pharmacy, Chandigarh University (CU), NIMS University | AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER, CMC Vellore, SGPGIMS, BHU |
Top Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Atkins, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Lupin, | Apollo Hospitals, Safdarjung Hospital, KEM Hospital, Fortis Healthcare |
Pharm D Syllabus
Syllabus for Pharm D is semester wise. The syllabus is given for five academic years and each year contains two semesters.
PharmD Subjects
SEMESTER 1 | SEMESTER 2 |
---|---|
Pharmaceutics | Pharmaceutical organic chemistry |
Human anatomy & physiology | Pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry |
Medical biochemistry | Remedial mathematics / biology |
SEMESTER 3 | SEMESTER 4 |
Pharmaceutical microbiology | Community pharmacy |
Pathophysiology | Pharmacology 1 |
Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals | Pharmacotherapeutics 1 |
SEMESTER 5 | SEMESTER 6 |
Pharmaceutical Analysis | Medical chemistry |
Pharmacology 2 | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence |
Pharmacotherapeutics 2 | Pharmaceutical formulations |
SEMESTER 7 | SEMESTER 8 |
Hospital pharmacy | Clinical toxicology |
Clinical pharmacy | Biostatistics & research methodology |
Pharmacotherapeutics 3 | Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics |
SEMESTER 9 | SEMESTER 10 |
Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomic | Clerkship project work (6 months) |
Clinical research | Project work (6 months) |
Clinical Pharmacokinetics & pharmacotherapeutic drug monitoring | Year 6 |
- | Internship or residency training which includes posting in special units |
Year-Wise Syllabus
Ist Year Syllabus | |
---|---|
Human Anatomy and Physiology | Pharmaceutics |
Medicinal Biochemistry | Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry |
Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry | Remedial Mathematics/Biology |
IInd Year Syllabus | |
Pathophysiology | Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals | Pharmacology - I |
Community Pharmacy | Pharmacotherapeutics - I |
IIIrd Year Syllabus | |
Pharmacology - II | Pharmaceutical Analysis |
Pharmacotherapeutics - II | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence |
Medicinal Chemistry | Pharmaceutical Formulations |
IVth Year Syllabus | |
Pharmacotherapeutics - III | Hospital Pharmacy |
Clinical Pharmacy | Biostatistics and Research Methodology |
Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics | Clinical Toxicology |
Vth Year Syllabus | |
Clinical Research | Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics |
Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring | Clerkship |
Project Work (6 months) | - |
VIth Year Syllabus | |
Internship or Residency Training | - |
Pharm D Important Books
These top books will help while pursuing PharmD. These books will give a better understanding of the topics.
Books | Authors |
---|---|
Handbook of drug information | Lacy Armstrong |
Hospital & clinical pharmacy | Paradkar, Siddique, Yadav |
Pharmacy practice | Harikishan Singh, |
Basic physiology | Sreekumar |
Clinical pharmacology | Roger walker |
Medical physiology | Guyton |
Pharmacotherapeutics | Dipiro |
Drug design | A.V.Kulkarni |
Anatomy & physiology | Toro – Toro |
Microbiology | Pelzer |
Pharm D Colleges in India
There are over 250 Pharm D colleges in India. Admission to most of the Pharm D colleges are done on the basis of entrance tests. The following are the list of top Pharm D colleges in India
College Name | City | Average annual fees | Average annual salary |
---|---|---|---|
Chandigarh university | Chandigarh | INR 2,00,000 | INR 7,10,000 |
NIMS university | Jaipur | INR 1,50,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
Manipal college of pharmaceutical sciences | Manipal | INR 4,30,000 | INR 4,50,000 |
JSS college of pharmacy | Udhagamandalam | INR 2,84,000 | INR 3,20,000 |
LM college of pharmacy | Ahmedabad | INR 1,75,000 | INR 3,00,000 |
Goa college of pharmacy | Panji | INR 2,90,000 | INR 4,50,000 |
Poona college of pharmacy | Pune | INR 1,75,000 | INR 1,20,000 |
MM college of pharmacy | Ambala | INR 1,36,000 | INR 1,40,000 |
SRM University of technology | Kanchipuram | INR 5,10,000 | INR 8,32,000 |
Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed university | Pune | INR 1,42,000 | INR 7,00,000 |
The following are the list of Pharm D colleges in various major cities in India
Pharm D Colleges in Bangalore
The following are the list of top Pharm D colleges in Bangalore with average fees
College Names | Average Fees |
---|---|
Dayananda Sagar University | INR 377,700 |
MS Ramaiah University | INR 1,979,500 |
Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy | INR 17,50,000 |
Karnataka College of Pharmacy | INR 1,060,000 |
T John College of Pharmacy | INR 1325,000 |
Pharm D Colleges in Hyderabad
The following are the list of some of the Pharm D colleges in Hyderabad with fee detail
College Names | Average Fees |
---|---|
Sultan Ul Uloom College of Pharmacy | INR 480,000 |
Sri Venkateshwara College of Pharmacy | INR 410,000 |
Anurag Group of Institutions | INR 620,400 |
RBVRR Women’s College of Pharmacy | INR 426,000 |
Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy | INR 5,40,000 |
Pharm D colleges in Coimbatore
The following are the list of some of the Pharm D colleges in Coimbatore with fee detail.
College Names | Average Fees |
---|---|
Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore | INR 960,000 |
Karpagam University | INR 15,00,000 |
RVS College of Pharmaceutical Science, Coimbatore | INR 408,000 |
Karpagam College of Pharmacy | INR 18,00,000 |
Nehru Group of Institutions, [NGI] Coimbatore | - |
Pharm D colleges in Chennai
The following are the list of colleges in Chennai that offers Pharm D Course
College Names | Average Fees |
---|---|
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai | INR 750,000 |
Vels University - Vel's Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies | INR 2,053,800 |
Jaya College of Paramedical Sciences College of Pharmacy | INR 2,70,000 |
CL Baid Metha College of Pharmacy, Chennai | - |
Pharm D College Comparison
Here is a college comparison of the best colleges offering PharmD on different parameters:
Parameters | Chandigarh university | NIMS university |
---|---|---|
Overview | Chandigarh University is situated in Chandigarh. It is a private university with A+ grade by NAAC. | NIMS university is situated in Jaipur. According to ASSOCHAM, It is the best private university in 2018. |
Location | Chandigarh | Jaipur |
Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks |
Admission process | Entrance exam | Entrance exam |
Average fees | INR 2,00,000 | INR 1,50,000 |
Top recruiting organizations | Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, Dell, IBM, Sapient, Oracle, Flipkart, etc. | Dell, Cisco, CNBC, IBM, Adobe, Cairn, Wipro, VIVO, Intex, HDFC Bank, etc. |
Average salary | INR 7,10,000 lakhs | INR 4,00,000 |
Study Pharm D Abroad
Candidates often prefer to study Pharm D courses in the foreign universities because they offer the best of infrastructure, research facilities, experienced faculties and strong placements.
Candidates who have completed their high school in relevant streams (in this case science with Physics, chemistry and Biology).
The admission process also requires the candidates to pass the english proficiency tests such as IELTS, PTE or TOEFL.
The candidates are required to also submit proof of their Bank statement and letter(s) of recommendation.
The following are some of the institutes that offer Pharm D course in the following countries
USA
College Name | Average Fees |
---|---|
University of Cincinnati | INR 111,49,460 |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | INR 237,79,107 |
University of Arizona | INR 66,88,213 |
University of Iowa | INR 128,80,803. |
University of Missouri | INR 166,17,901 |
UK
College Name | Average Fees |
---|---|
University of Liverpool | INR 73,11,346 |
University of Birmingham | INR 72,88,417 |
UK College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky | INR 40,06,183. |
University of Manchester | INR 75,72,855 |
University of Reading | INR 6,438,521 |
Canada
College Name | Average Fees |
---|---|
University of Toronto | INR 102,59,254 |
McGill University | INR 2,902,428 |
University of British Columbia | INR 16,11,708 |
University of Alberta | INR 10,44,088 |
University of Waterloo | INR 3,765,199 |
Australia
College Name | Average Fees |
---|---|
Flinders University | INR 7,943,638 |
University of Technology Sydney | INR 8,023,485 |
University of Newcastle | INR 9,605,296 |
Curtin University | INR 8,256,208 |
University of Tasmania | INR 8,613,545 |
PharmD Jobs and Salary
The career options after the PharmD are Pharmacists, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy director, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, etc. The career options are described in detail below with their roles and average annual salary.
Job profiles | Description | Average annual salary |
---|---|---|
Pharmacist | The role of a Pharmacist is to ensure the medicines given to patients are correct and the quality of medicines given to patients. They have to counsel the patients about the medicines, timings to take medicines and how to take them. | INR 2,88,000 |
Hospital pharmacy director | The role of Hospital pharmacy director is to distribute drugs, drug control, ensure medication safety, clinical services as patient care, etc. | INR 3,90,000 |
Retail pharmacist | The role of Retail pharmacist is to dispense and control the prescribed and non-prescribed medicines. They order and sell the medicines and other stocks. | INR 1,97,000 |
Drug expert | The role of a Drug expert is to prepare medication use policies, rules & regulations. They ensure the improvement of the health system. Distributing newsletters containing medication information. | INR 5,80,000 |
Clinical pharmacists | The role of Clinical pharmacists is to take care of patients and be aware of his/ her health. Evaluates the effectiveness of patients' medications. | INR 3,09,000 |
![Average Salary](https://images.collegedunia.com/public/image/11adbbc7c3642779bb5bd39a2f1c8778.png?tr=w-600,h-371,c-force)
PharmD Future Scope
After completing PharmD there are a plethora of opportunities in the academic field as well as job opportunities. You can explore your path according to your liking:
- For further studies, you can pursue a Bachelor's in pharmacy or 2nd year in B.Pharma if you have completed PharmD.
- You can secure a job at drug stores of private and government hospitals. You can work in health clinics, NGOs, etc. by checking the dispensing medicines and advising them on the directions.
- You can become an entrepreneur by opening your own pharmacy store as retail, wholesale.
- The top recruiting areas of Pharm D are health centers, drug control administration, and medical dispensing stores.
Pharm D: FAQs
Ques. Which course is best after Pharm D?
Ans. After Pharm D, you can consider pursuing higher education like a PhD in pharmacy. This will allow you to delve deeper into the research. This will improve your career prospects and you can also secure leadership positions within the pharmaceutical company. You can also opt for an MBA course if you are interested in managerial roles.
Ques. Is NEET required for Pharm D?
Ans. Though most pharmacy colleges use other entrance exams like GPAT, MHT CET, NIPER JEE, TS EAMCET and AP EAMCET to provide admission to their Pharm D courses, some require NEET scores. It is mainly associated with medical courses but can apply to pharma courses also.
Ques. How many years are there in the Pharm D course?
Ans. Pharm D is a 6-year long course. The curriculum is divided into 5 years of academic study and 1 year of mandatory internship or residency course. This duration prepares students for roles in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry by exposing them to various subjects. Internships are crucial as they help students in implementing their skills in real-world settings.
Ques. What are the Pharm D course fees in the government colleges?
Ans. The course fee in government colleges for Pharm D is generally lower compared to private institutions. These colleges often receive funding that subsidises the tuition fee. The following mentions the Pharm D fees from some of the top government colleges.
College | Course Fee (INR) |
---|---|
Saurashtra University | 25,000 |
Government College of Pharmacy Aurangabad | 40,779 |
Government College of Pharmacy Amravati | 40,375 |
Annamalai University | 29,980 |
Ques. What is Pharm D full form? What are the subjects that are taught in it?
Ans. The full form of Pharm D is Doctor of Philosophy. It is a doctoral program that prepares students for various pharmaceutical roles. The curriculum is covered in 6 years including a 1-year internship. Some of the common subjects in the Pharm D course include.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Clinical Toxicology
- Biostatistics
Ques. How is the Pharm D scope in India?
Ans. Pharm D scope in India is promising with opportunities in sectors like hospitals, clinics pharmaceutical industries and more. Due to the rapid increase in the demand for healthcare professionals, the demand for Pharm D graduates is expanding. They can also find roles in regulatory affairs, clinical research and academia.
Ques. Are Pharm D and DPharm the same?
Ans. Pharm D and DPharm are not the same. Pharm D is a professional doctoral course that prepares students for a career as a pharmacist. It is a 6-year long program. On the other hand, DPharm is a diploma course in pharmacy that is 2-year long. Graduates pursue entry-level roles after completing their diploma degree. The difference in education depth, scope and career opportunities separates both courses.
Ques. Is Pharm D equal to a doctor?
Ans. Pharm D is considered as a doctoral-level program in terms of its qualifications and graduates are given the title of doctor upon course completion. It is to be noted that Pharm D doctors practice clinical pharmacy rather than medical treatment done by doctors with an MBBS or MD degree. Pharm D graduates are not medical doctors.
Ques. What is the major difference between Pharm D and Pharm D Post Baccalaureate?
Ans. While Pharm D is a full-time doctoral course in pharmacy, Pharm D Post Baccalaureate is specially designed for BPharm students who wish to pursue Pharm D courses. Through this course, they can take a lateral entry to the 4th year of the Pharm D program. They have to complete 3 years of academic study along with a mandatory 1-year internship or residency training compared to 6 years of course in the regular Pharm D.
Ques. What are the skills that students develop during a Pharm D course?
Ans. Students develop many skills during the Pharm D course. The top skills are listed below.
- Patient counselling
- Therapy management
- Healthcare management
- Drug administration
- Pharmacokinetics
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