Pharm.D
Pharm.D is a six-year course for doctorate level students. During the course duration candidates have five year of academic study and 1 year of internship.
The eligibility criteria for the course Pharm.D is that students have to clear 10+2 from a recognized college and qualify for a diploma in Pharmacy from Pharm.D college recognized by PCI (Pharmacy Council of India). The Pharm.D admissions are done on the basis of merit list or entrance examination. The popular entrance examinations are BV CET, MET, GPAT, etc.
The average fee for the PharmD is INR 6,00,000 lakhs – INR 20,00,000. The different job profiles in which PharmD graduates are absorbed after the completion of the course are Pharmacists, drug experts, retail pharmacists, hospital pharmacy directors, hospital staff pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, etc.
As a pharmacist, applicants will practise at both government and private hospitals. It gives a decent return on investment, as after completion of the programme, there are a lot of positions available
The average annual salary package for freshers is INR 3,00,000 – INR 10,00,000. It depends on the size of the company or organization, location. The top recruiting companies are Home health care, community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, managed care, governmental agencies, etc
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 Recruiting companies | 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.
- is a combination of science and art of dispensing medicines.
- Students are acknowledged as practical in clinical pharmacy, 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 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 Syllabus
Syllabus for Pharm.D is semester wise. The syllabus is given for five academic years and each year contains two semesters.
Pharmaceutics |
Human anatomy & physiology |
Medical biochemistry |
Pharmaceutical organic chemistry |
Pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry |
Remedial mathematics / biology |
Pharmaceutical microbiology |
Pathophysiology |
Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals |
Community pharmacy |
Pharmacology 1 |
Pharmacotherapeutics 1 |
Pharmaceutical Analysis |
Pharmacology 2 |
Pharmacotherapeutics 2 |
Medical chemistry |
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence |
Pharmaceutical formulations |
Hospital pharmacy |
Clinical pharmacy |
Pharmacotherapeutics 3 |
Clinical toxicology |
Biostatistics & research methodology |
Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics |
Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomic |
Clinical research |
Clinical Pharmacokinetics & pharmacotherapeutic drug monitoring |
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Clerkship project work (6 months) |
Project work (6 months) |
Year 6 |
Internship or residency training which includes posting in special units |