Doctor of Pharmacy, also known as PharmD, is a professional degree programme that is essential for candidates who want to practice pharmacy. The programme covers uses, production and application of medicines with respect to the disease that the patient is suffering.
There are two levels of the PharmD programme. Candidates aspiring for this programme can apply at graduate as well as postgraduate, i.e. those who seek a career in pharmacy can apply for PharmD after 10+2 and even after completing graduation. The two PharmD courses are as follows:
- PharmD 6-year programme
- PharmD Post-Baccalaureate 3-year programme
The programme prepares the candidates to understand the clinical as well as commercial uses of medicine. A brief understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease is also offered by the programme in the final year of the progamme.
PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) Eligibility Criteria
PharmD 6-year programme:
- Candidates must have passed class 12 board exams from a recognized board with physics, chemistry and biology.
- The minimum requirement for candidates seeking this programme is 55% average marks in class 12 board exams.
- Candidates who have pursued diploma courses from either of the institutes recognized by the PCI (Pharmacy Council of India) can also apply for this programme.
PharmD Post-Baccalaureate programme:
- Candidates who have successfully completed BPharm from institutes recognized by PCI can apply for this programme.
- The candidates must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in graduation in order to pursue this programme.
PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) Syllabus
First Year:
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry | Medicinal Biochemistry |
| Remedial Biology | Pharmaceutics | Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry |
Second Year:
| Pathophysiology | Pharmocology – 1 | Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals |
| Community Pharmacy | Pharmaceutical Microbiology | Pharmacotheraputics – 1 |
Third Year:
| Pharmacology (Advanced) | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | Pharmacotherapeutics – 2 |
| Medicinal Chemistry | Pharmaceutical Analysis | Pharmaceutical Formulations |
Fourth Year:
| Hospital Pharmacy | Research Methodology | Biostatistics |
| Pharmacotherapeutics – 3 | Clinical Pharmacy | Biopharmaceutics |
| Pharmacokinetics | Clinical Toxicology |
Fifth Year:
| Clinical Research | Pharmacoeconomics | Pharmacoepidemiology |
| Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring | Clerkship | Clinical Pharmacokinetics |
| Project work |
Sixth Year:
Candidates have to pursue internships or training includes postings in special medical units. Students have to provide clinical pharmacy services to the allotted wards independently. Training is done for:
- 6 months in General Medicine department
- 2 months in each of the Speciality departments
Career Options and Job Prospects
The PharmD course offers a good return on investment as there are a lot of jobs available after completion of the programme. Candidates can practice as a pharmacist at government as well as private hospitals. Jobs are also available at NGOs working in the health domain, especially in rural areas.
High paying jobs are also available in the pharmaceutical industries and pharmacy institutes. Candidates can also take up business opportunities and start their own pharmacy stores to provide medicines to patients and doctors.
- Pharmacist
- Medicinal Instructor
- Research professional
- Marketing professional for Pharmaceutical Industry)
- Quality Control Officer
- Drug Inspector