Pharmacy Courses after 12th in India

Have you passed 10+2? Are you interested in taking a good pharmacy course? If yes, then this article post about the “Pharmacy Course” will be helpful for you. Here, I have listed some of the best Pharmacy Courses after 12th in India.

Do you want to become a pharmacist? If yes, then in this article, you will learn about your desire Pharmacy courses. Details about the Diploma in Pharmacy course are provided in this article. The article covers topics like course descriptions, eligibility criteria, admission process, PG syllabus and further studies, career prospects, job profile, and salary details.

Pharmacy Courses

In India, pharmacy courses are available in the following main formats.

• Diploma Course – (3 Years)
• Bachelor’s Degree Course – (4 Years)
• Master’s Degree Course – (2 Years)
• Doctoral Degree Courses – (6 Years – 1 Year for Internship)

Students passing the 10+2 science stream are eligible to pursue pharmacy-related courses, oriented degree, and diploma courses. In this article, I have listed these courses below.

Before going to the meat of the case – list of pharmacy courses after 12th – let us check some basic facts about pharmacy and pharmacy courses.

Pharmacy courses such as the focus on the study of biology, pharmaceutical chemistry (inorganic, physical and biological), biochemistry, medicines, physiology, pharmacology, distribution, etc. It trains students in the above fields and transforms them into skilled pharmacy professionals.

Syllabus for Pharmacy Courses 

The syllabus can vary from one pharmacy course to another. The main syllabus includes such topics as:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, and Physical)
• Distribution and general pharmacy
• Human anatomy
• Physiology
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Farmsectics
• Health education
• Clinical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Entrance Exams for Pharmacy Courses

Entrance Exams for the Pharmacy Courses after the 12th in India

The central and state government conducts several entrance exams for pharmacy courses after the 12th, which may lead them to seek their career in the field of pharmaceuticals. Through the entrance examination for pharmacy courses after 12th, candidates get an opportunity to take admission in undergraduate or diploma courses in pharmacy programs offered by various colleges in India. Once you pass the pharmacy entrance exam, your dream of getting admission to top pharmacy colleges in India will come true.

Here is the list of entrance test/exam for pharmacy after the 12th conducted by various states in India.

Entrance Examination – Conducting Body

• WBJEE:- West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board
• Odisha JEE:- Government of Odisha
• GCET:- DTE Goa
• HPCET:- Himachal Pradesh Technical University
• SAAT:- Siksha O Anusandhan University
• MHT CET:- Government of Maharashtra
• DIPSAR:- Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical & Research
• UPSEE / UPTU:- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University
• GUJCET:- Gujarat Secondary and Higher Education Board
• TS ECET and AP ECET (Lateral Entry):- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

 Other Pharmacy Examinations

• West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination
• GUJCET
• Karnataka Common Entrance Test
• BITSAT
• ITM Nest
• Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test
• Central University Common Entrance Test
• GLA University Entrance Test (GLAET)
• OJEE Postgraduate Admission Test
• Jaipur National University Combined Entrance Test
• Goenka Aptitude Test for admission
• Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test
• UPSEE
• Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test
• TS EAMCET
• AP EAMCET
• NIPER Combined Entrance Examination
• Dayanand Sagar University Admission Test
• BITS Higher Degree Admission Test
• Uttarakhand State Entrance Examination
• Integral University Entrance Test
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Common Entrance Test
• DHSG University Post Graduate Entrance Test
• Manipal University Online Entrance Test

Pharmacy Courses after the 12th in India.

1. DIPLOMA COURSES

Diploma in Pharmacy

The Diploma in Pharmacy program is a diploma certificate course. It is known by the acronym D Pharm. A diploma in pharmacy is the minimum qualification obligatory to practice/work as a pharmacist in India.

Who is a pharmacist, what are his / her functions? What is becoming a pharmacist? What is the field of pharmaceutical studies? Questions such as these will be answered in the coming paragraphs.

Pharmacy is the science and technology of preparing and distributing medicines. This science uses the principles of health science, biology, and chemical science to make and spread pharmaceutical drugs.

Pharmacists are health care professionals who practice in the field of pharmacy. They are knowledgeable about drug therapy, different types of drugs (their composition, manufacturing process, and properties), and optimal use of drugs (depending on the patient’s condition). Pharmacists are also known by titles, such as druggists, chemists, and doctors of pharmacy. Their main functions include compounding, prescription testing, dispensing of drugs, recommended dosage, and instructions to patients, and checking and maintaining a list of drug stores (at hospitals, clinics, or chemists).

In India, vocational pharmacy courses are available in diploma, bachelor’s degree (B pharmacy), Pharm D (doctor of pharmacy), M.Pharma, PG diploma, and Ph.D. levels. In this subject, we will focus only on the Diploma in Pharmacy course.

Basic Course Details of Diploma in Pharmacy

This course is 3 years long. Students who have completed the 12th science stream are eligible to do this course. A diploma in Pharmacy is also called a diploma certificate course. The diploma in Pharmacy course contains two (2) academic years and practical training sessions. On completion of the course (academic program and practical training), successful students will get a diploma certificate in Pharmacy from a university/institute.

Eligibility Criteria for Diploma in Pharmacy Course in India

Passing 10+2 with Science stream subjects from a recognized board is the minimum educational qualification required. The minimum marks required may vary from one institution to another. It can be anywhere between 45-60% marks in main science subjects.

Admission Process of Diploma in Pharmacy

Depending on the institution, it can be a direct admission or merit-based admission process. Reputed and well-established (Firm) universities/institutes follow the merit-based admission process. In this admission process, the marks scored by the students in the board examination are taken into consideration. Seats are allocated to deserving students on the basis of merit marks scored by them.

Age limit: The candidate must be at least 17 years of age at the time of admission.

PG Course and Further Studies after Diploma in Pharmacy

After completing a diploma in pharmacy, successful candidates can secure direct admission to the second academic year of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course. A diploma is awarded to pharmacy holders on the basis of merit marks obtained by them in the diploma course.

After completing the Bachelor’s program, graduates may go for advanced courses like Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy), M.Pharm. & PG Diploma courses.

Master and PG diploma courses can be used to specialize subjects in the field of pharmacy. Some famous topics include-

• Clinical Pharmacy
• Community Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Atomic Pharmacy
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

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Career Prospects and Job Opportunities after Diploma in Pharmacy

Various employment opportunities are available in front of diplomas in Pharmacy certificate holders. Government and private sector job opportunities are available to them.

Diploma in Pharmacy certificate holders can start practicing as pharmacists in India. They can work at drug stores in government hospitals, private hospitals, clinics, community health centers, or private drug stores. In the setup of such a task, they usually examine medicines (made by a doctor) to patients, advise and instruct them, keep stock of medicines in storage, keep accounts and maintain inventory.

In addition to working for hospitals or private drug stores, D Pharm certificate holders can also start their own private drug stores. To succeed in such an enterprise, one must have access to financial resources and entrepreneurship skills.

Pharmaceutical companies are also known to appoint people from D Pharm. In this area, they can work in divisions/sections such as manufacturing, process control, quality control, and marketing. Talking about the marketing sector, one can work for firms involved in the marketing of pharmaceutical products. May also serve as a medical representative.

Apart from doing the right thing after completing the D Pharm course, one can also go for further studies (B Pharm, Pharm D, M Pharm. etc.). After completing the master’s level course, one can work as a lecturer/tutor/instructor in the respective pharmacy schools or institutes. Completing an advanced course like Ph.D. will help in making a career in the R&D (Research and Development) field.

2. BACHELOR’S DEGREE COURSES

• B. Pharm
• B. Pharm (Ayurvedic)

The above Bachelor’s degree programs are 4 years long. Students who have passed class 12th with Science Stream are eligible to do the above-mentioned courses.

B. Pharm: Bachelor of Pharmacy Course

B Pharm is the Bachelor of Pharmacy. It is a 4 years-long undergraduate course. After completing the course, students will receive a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. After obtaining this degree, students can start practicing as pharmacists in India as well as abroad. Science stream students from both mathematics and biology groups are eligible to take the B Pharm course after completing the 12th standard. In this topic, you will be reading about the B Pharm syllabus details, eligibility criteria, admission process, syllabus, PG syllabus, career prospects, and job profile available after graduation.

Course Introduction of Bachelor of Pharmacy

The main function of a pharmacist is to give medicines to patients. This is evident from the fact that the course of B Pharm focuses on the study of biology, pharmaceutical chemistry (inorganic, physical, and biological), biochemistry, drugs, physiology, pharmacology, distribution, etc.

The course trains students in the above-mentioned aspects and prepares them to take on different roles in the pharmaceutical industry. Keeping in mind the knowledge of medicines and biology, students can undertake tasks such as prescribing appropriate medicines to patients (pharmacists), clinical research, work at pharmaceutical companies, etc.

In India, the starring role of a pharmacist is limited. Abroad, the scenario is completely different. Their pharmacists play a much larger role and earn more respect.

Course Details of Bachelor of Pharmacy

The Bachelors of Pharmacy is an undergraduate degree course. Now let’s look at the course duration details.

The duration of the course is 4 years. The 4 years term is divided into 8 semesters, with each semester for a period of 6 months. In the case of each semester, students will face a theoretical external examination (main examination). In the case of a few semesters, a practical examination will also be conducted with the subjects being Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, and Community Pharmacy.

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Pharmacy Course in India

Students of Science stream (both Mathematics and Biology Group-PCM / B), who have passed the 12th standard board examination from a recognized board, are eligible to pursue this course.

Admission Process for Bachelor of Pharmacy

To get admission, candidates have to meet the minimum marks criteria, which is 50% marks (in PCM / B subjects). Most institutions follow a merit-based admission process, where eligible candidates are allotted seats based on the marks they have chosen in the board examination and entrance examination. In the case of some deemed universities and prestigious private institutions, private entrance exams are used to allocate seats to qualified students. There are two such pharmacy entrance examinations in India – GPAT and NIPER JEE.

Course Content of B. Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

To get a better idea about the syllabus and the nature of the syllabus, let us go through some important syllabus materials and topics.

First Year Subjects

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, and Physical)
• Distribution and general pharmacy
• Human anatomy
• Physiology

Second Year Subjects

• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Farmsectics
• Health education
• Clinical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Mathematics

Third Year Subjects

• Chemicals of natural products
• Pharmacology 1
• Industrial Management
• Computer applications

Fourth Year Subjects

• Pharmaceutics (Advanced)
• Pharmacology 2
• Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmaceutical Analysis (Advanced)

Note: Only the important topics are mentioned in the above list. Many subjects are recurring, meaning they will appear in only one semester. In the case of the previous academic year, this would also include project work.

Alternative Course of B. Pharm

Since you are interested in the field of pharmacy, I will also have to present an alternative course to you, which you can do instead of B Pharm. One such optional course is D Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy).

It is a 2 years long course. D Pharm is the minimum qualification required in India to become eligible to practice as a pharmacist. Therefore, D Pharm qualification can also help you become a pharmacist.

I should also add that the B Pharm curriculum is more valuable than the D Pharm. The D Pharm course will be helpful for those who fail to secure admission to the B Pharm program. Upon completion of the diploma course, anyone can secure admission directly into the second year of the undergraduate program (lateral entry).

There is another (more valuable) course is Pharm D. The Pharm D is 6 years long integrated course (5 years academic program and 1 (one) year internship). This course has a lot more content and value than the traditional B Pharm course.

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PG Course after Bachelor of Pharmacy

Upon completing the Bachelor of Pharmacy course, graduates have a plethora of postgraduate courses to choose from. The most natural step is the M Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) course. It is a 2 year long PG course. With the help of this PG course, graduates can specialize in a specific area in the field of pharmacy. After that, they can do advanced courses like Ph.D. and also work in the research and development field. After M Pharm, anyone can work as a lecturer.

These days the trend among B Pharm graduates is to pursue an MBA course. Completing this management course helps them to acquire key management skills. The combination of management skills and pharmacy studies makes them highly employable in the fields of pharmaceutical manufacturing as well as marketing.

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities after completing Bachelor of Pharmacy

Along with government jobs, a substantial amount of employment opportunities are available for B Pharm graduates in the private sector. One of the most common jobs that graduates take is that of a pharmacist. After completing the course and obtaining a practice license, graduates can work as pharmacists in government hospitals, private hospitals/clinics, or private medical shops. If one has access to financial resources, one can also start one’s own medical shop.

In addition, pharmaceutical companies are also major recruiters of graduates. In a pharmaceutical company, graduates can work in the departments of manufacturing, quality control, packing, marketing, etc.

The state-wise Board of Health offers many job opportunities to graduates. Drug inspectors, state-owned tablets, capsules, powders, and ORS manufacturing units, etc. are well known in the government domain.

Job Profile Available after completing Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)

• Pharmacist
• Medical Representative
• Scientific (research field)
• Teacher (Junior Lecturer)
• Quality Control Officer
• Clinical Research Professional
• Drug Inspector
• Marketing Professional

B. Pharm (Ayurveda): Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) Course

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) is a 4-year undergraduate course. This vocational course is also known by the names of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Pharmacy, B Pharm (AI), and B Pharm (Age). It is an employment-oriented course with employment opportunities available in the government and private sector. Students who pass the 12th Science Stream (any group- Mathematics or Biology) are eligible to pursue this course. In this topic, you will be reading about the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) course description, eligibility criteria, admission process, syllabus, elective and PG courses, career prospects, and job.

Course Introduction of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda)

The B Pharm Ayurveda curriculum deals with medicines and medicines that are used in the medicine of the Ayurveda system. Like the regular B Pharmacy course, it also focuses on areas such as manufacturing, and the consumer sector of medicines. The only difference is that the B Pharm Ayurveda course focuses only on Ayurvedic medicines and medicines.

Some of the important topics covered under this course are – Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturing, Ayurvedic Formulation, Ayurvedic Raw Material, Modern Drug Manufacturing, Drug Standardization, Quality Control, Manufacturing Techniques (Modern and Traditional), Drug Store Management and Drug Dispensing.

In short, this course (Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) trains students/candidates and makes them experts in Ayurvedic formulations, raw material usage, Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing and modern pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques. Let us now see the basic course details of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda).

Course Details of B. Pharm (Ayurveda)

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) is a graduate course. Upon completion of the course, graduates can start practicing as Ayurvedic pharmacists in India and some countries. Now we check the duration of the course.

Duration: The course is 4 years long. The academic program consists of both theoretical sessions and practical laboratory sessions.

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) Course in India

Students of Science stream (Mathematics or Biology Group-PCM / B) who have passed the 12th standard board examination from a recognized board are eligible to pursue this professional course. The minimum marks in PCM / B subjects should be 50% (some institutes have minimum marks criteria).

Admission Process for Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda)

The admission process usually follows the merit system. The marks scored by the students in the 12th board examination and entrance examination are taken into consideration. Eligible candidates are given admission on the basis of this merit score. In the case of some reputed institutions, a selection interview also exists. To secure admission into the institute, the candidate must accept the interview.

Course Content of B. Pharm (Ayurveda)

I have prepared a list of important subjects present in the B Pharm Ayurveda program. Going through the list will give you a better idea of the course structure and syllabus.

First Year Subjects

• Introduction to Ayurveda
• Introduction to Sanskrit
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Analysis of Pharmaceutical
• Pharmaceutical Biology
• Sareera Kriya Vijnanam

Second Year Subjects

• Physical Pharmacy
• Pharmacognosy
• Patho Physiology
• Pharmaceutical Engineering
• Dravyaguna Vijnanam

 Third Year Subjects

• Pharmacology
• Pharmacognosy (advanced)
• Industrial Pharmacy
• Rasasastra
• Bhaishajya Kalpana

 Fourth Year Subjects

• Pharmacology (Advanced)
• Industrial Pharmacy (Advanced)
• Management
• Rasasastra (Advanced)
• Bhaishajya Kalpana (Advanced)

Note: Only the important topics present in the syllabus are listed above. Some of the topics mentioned above are recurring. Such topics appear in more than one academic year.

It is clear from the syllabus that the B Pharmacy Ayurveda course focuses on traditional Ayurvedic studies as well as modern-day pharmacy concepts.

Alternative Course of B. Pharm (Ayurveda)

If you are interested in becoming an Ayurvedic Pharmacist, there is another relevant course that I would like to present to you. The course I am talking about is- Diploma in Pharmacy (Ayurveda). This course is also known as Diploma in Ayurvedic Pharmacy or D Pharm (Ay / Age).

It is a 2-years long diploma course. D Pharma (Ay) is the minimum qualification required to start practice as an Ayurvedic pharmacist in India. Those who are not able to secure admission to B Pharm (Ay) course, can try this course.

After completing a 2-years long diploma course, one can get admission in the second year of the undergraduate program (lateral entry).

Graduates, after obtaining a practice license, can also work in private Ayurveda medicine shops. If one has access to good financial resources, one can start a medical shop.

Ayurveda pharmaceutical companies also recruit graduates. In such companies, graduates can work in classes such as manufacturing, quality control, marketing, and research.

Here some famous job profiles are available in front of the B. Pharm graduates.

• Pharmacist
• Shop Owner
• Marketing Specialist
• Quality Control Officer
• Medical Representative
• Drug Manufacturer (after obtaining manufacturing license)
• Junior Lecturer (Teaching Job)
• Research Professional

3. DOCTORAL LEVEL COURSES

Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Technically, it is a doctoral-level course. But students who have passed 12th Science Stream are eligible to take the Pharm D course. The academic program is 6 years long. There are government and self-financed (private) several pharmacy colleges in India. Government pharmacy colleges are known to charge lower fees than their private counterparts. Most colleges follow a merit-based admission process. Therefore, if you want to secure admission, then you should break into the relevant entrance examination.

Pharm (Doctor of Pharmacy) is a well-known doctoral degree program in pharmacy. It is also known as Pharm D. It is a 6 year (5 years academic program + 1-year internship) long course. In this topic, you will be reading about Pharm D course description, eligibility criteria, admission process, syllabus, PG syllabus, career prospects, job profile, and scope.

Pharm D different from traditional the B Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) courses in many ways. The duration (6 years) of Pharm D is longer than that of B Pharm (4 years). In addition, Pharm D has a greater focus on pharmaceutical pharmacy, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical care as well as health care. The B Pharm course focuses only on the pharmacy industry and research. In short, Pharm D is much more elaborate (integrated) and valuable which is the B Pharm course.

Course Introduction of Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

In Western and European countries, pharmacists are health care professionals. There, Pharm D is the professional degree obligatory to practice or work as a pharmacist in European countries. Sadly, B Pharm course available in India is not up to the mark, when compared to the Pharm D course. The B Pharm lacks quality in areas of study such as clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, patient care, etc. In May 2008, the Pharm D course was officially launched in India.

There are 2 formats in which this course is available in India

• Regular Pharm D Program (6 Years)
• Pharm D (Post-Baccalaureate) Program (3 Years)

Regular Pharm D courses can be done by students who have passed the 12th Science Board examination. Post-Baccalaureate Pharm D course is for B Pharm graduates to pursue.

The course includes regular pharmacy subjects and clinical pharmacy practice. That is why this course is called ‘Integrated Course’. The program trains students in clinical pharmacy, pharmacy practice, and pharmaceutical care. At the end of the course, students acquire skills such as diagnosis and treatment of diseases, selection and therapeutic use of medicines, monitoring of patients, etc. In short, Pharm D graduates holders are capable and skilled of performing many tasks that MBBS graduates are capable and accomplished of monitoring patients, diagnosing, etc.

Course Details of Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Pharm D (6 Years): This course is 6 years long. The academic program lasts for a period of 5 years. 1 year is devoted to an internship.

Pharm D (Post-Baccalaureate): This course is 3 years long. The academic program lasts for a period of 5 years. 1 year is devoted to an internship.

 Eligibility Criteria for Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy) in India

Pharm D (6 years long course): Students/candidates of Science stream (Mathematics or Biology), who have passed 10+2 board examination from a recognized Board or Diploma in Pharmacy holders (from PCI recognized institute) be eligible for it. Some institutions have minimum marks criteria. According to this criterion, a student should get at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Elective Subject (Mathematics / Biology) in the 12th board examination.

Pharm D (Post-Baccalaureate): Graduates who have completed B Pharm from a PCI recognized institute are eligible to pursue this course. Minimum aggregate marks required -50%. Some institutes do have minimum marks criteria.

Admission Process in Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Admission is usually through the State/Central Medical Admissions Authority. It is based on marks of merit. State/All India level entrance examination (depending on the type of university/institute you want admission in) and 12th science board examination, marks scored by a student. On the basis of these marks, a merit list is made. Qualified students will be allotted seats based on the merit list.

Some deemed universities and reputed institutes have their own private entrance exams (online/regular). To get admission to such an institution, a student must pass the entrance examination and the subsequent interview. There are two popular pharmacy entrance examinations – NIPER JEE and GPAT.

When it comes to the admission process, reservations and exemptions exist in the form of caste-based reservations and relaxations, NRI quota, and donates quota. Eligible and competent candidates can use such reservation/relaxations.

Course Content of Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Going through the course material will help us to get a better idea of the course structure. Below, I have listed some important topics present in the Pharm D syllabus. The educational program is divided into 5 years. We will examine the topics present in each academic year.

First Year Subjects

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Farmsectics
• Medical Biochemistry
• Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemicals
• Mathematics / Biology

 Second Year Subjects

• Pathophysiology
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Pharmacognosy
• Phytopharmaceuticals
• Pharmacology
• Community Pharmacy
• Pharmacotherapeutics 1

Third Year Subjects

• Pharmacology (Advanced)
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Pharmacotherapeutics 2
• Pharmaceutical jurisprudence
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Formulations

 Fourth Year Subjects

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Biostatistics
• Research Methodology
• Pharmacotherapeutics 3
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Pharmacokinetics
• Clinical Toxicology

5th Year Subjects

• Clinical Research
• Clerkship
• Pharmacoepidemiology
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Clinical Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacotherapeutic drug monitoring
• Project work

It is clear that there are recurring themes in this course. Such topics appear in more than one academic year. In the case of most of the above subjects practical sessions (along with theory classes) exist. In the case of the final academic year, project work is also included.

After completing 5 academic years, successful students undergo a 1-year long internship (residency training). Talking about the methods of assessment used in this course, currently, there are 4 main types of examinations – written examination, practical examination, oral examination, and clerical examination.

Note: The above course structure is related to the 6-year long Pharm D course. The content and structure of the post-baccalaureate form de syllabus may differ.

Course to Pursue After Completing Pharm D

MBA is a very good course to pursue after completing Pharm D. The 2 years long MBA course will help one acquire key management skills, which will be useful in landing administrative jobs in the pharmaceutical industry as well as the healthcare sector.

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities after Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

The Pharm D course will help to obtain a license to practice as a pharmacist in India and abroad. The course prepares students/candidates to practice as pharmacists in administered, supervised or independent environments. Some places where one can practice are government hospitals, private hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and NGOs.

The Pharm D course is accepted and recognized worldwide. This is the minimum degree required to practice as a pharmacist in many developed countries. This means that the scope of ‘working abroad’ on coming to this course is very promising.

Job opportunities are also available in the pharmaceutical industry. One can take technical, administrative, or marketing positions in this industry.

Teaching is another employment opportunity. In pharmacy colleges/institutes, you can work as a lecturer/instructor. The Clinical Research Organization and Research Lab also employ Pharm D degree holders.

Common Job Profiles are Available after Completing Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

• Pharmacist
• Teacher / Instructor
• Research Professional
• Marketing Professionals (Pharmaceutical Industry)
• Administrative Post (pharmaceutical industry)
• Quality Control Officer (Pharmaceutical Industry)
• Drug Inspector

Average Salary Scale in Pharmacy Career in India

Candidates pursuing a graduate pharmacy course can expect to start a salary ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,8,000 per month. The average salary in pharmacy in India depends on various factors such as their qualifications, area of expertise, place of employment, skills, and training received, and much more. Like other industries, the more on-field pharmacy benefits the graduate experience, the better the job profile and pay scale of that candidate. With appropriate experience and skills developed, pharmacists – 4,50,000 – can expect an annual salary of 7,00,000.

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It can be augmented with higher education in pharmacy or other fields to enhance one’s knowledge and skills. Mostly, higher education results in better packages and a better job profile for pharmacy graduates. After graduating from a pharmacy course in India, some such courses can be done which are as follows.

Top Colleges and Institutes for studies of pharmacy in India

Top colleges for diploma studies of pharmacy

• Jamia Hamdard University (Delhi).
• Bundelkhand University (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh).
• MET Institute of Pharmacy (Mumbai).
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (Delhi).

Admission to these colleges is given through interviews or admissions conducted by the respective universities/colleges.

The top institutes for the study of B. Pharm

Apart from the entrance exams, there are other entrances through which students get a chance to study in some famous colleges.

• Bombay College of Pharmacy (Mumbai).
• Jamia Hamdard University (Delhi).
• University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Chandigarh).
• Bundelkhand University (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh).
• MET Institute of Pharmacy (Mumbai).

Admission to these institutions is purely based on the merits of the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT), All India Manipal University Online Entrance Examination (MU-OET), Punjab University Common Entrance Test (P.U. CET).

Top Colleges for Studies Pharm. D.

• VLS University (Chennai).
• Jagadguru Sri Shivratreshwara University (Mysore, Karnataka).
• Smt. Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy (Andhra Pradesh).

Admissions to these colleges are granted through decisions made by the Pharmacy Council of India.