Pharmacy Courses after 12th Science: Eligibility, Scope, Fees

Some of the best Pharmacy courses after 12th Science include B.Pharm, B.Pharm (Lateral), B.Pharm (Hons.), B.Pharm Ayurveda, M.Pharm, and D.Pharm. Pharmacy as a subject stream can be defined as the branch of science that will deal with the preparation, doses, dispensing, and effects of medicines. It is the interconnection of medicine, biology, and chemistry. 

Pharmacy courses after 12th Science are a demanding career stream for a lot of science students. It is inherently a simple combination of health sciences and chemical sciences. The main objective of pursuing a degree in pharmacy is to understand the process behind drug manufacturing and pharmaceutical drugs for the welfare and benefit of humankind. 

Also Read: Complete guide on Courses after 12th

List of Pharmacy Courses After 12th Science

Numerous course types under pharmacy studies raise a question in students' minds on which course to take up in building a pharmacy career after 12th. Let us understand some of the common Pharmacy courses after 12th Science. 

• B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
• B.Pharm (Lateral)
• B.Pharm (Hons.)
• B.Pharm Ayurveda
• D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy)
• M.Pharm (Masters in Pharmacy)

B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

B.Pharm degree is a foundational program that equips a student with the relevant knowledge required to practice pharmacy. It is one of the most popular pharmacy courses in the country, which aims to provide extensive knowledge on fundamental applications of biochemistry in pharmacology.

It is an intensive program that has been successful at employing in the prescription, manufacture, and provision of medicines. A student could pursue his or her master's after completing this course or opt for employment as there is an increasing demand for pharma professionals each year. B. Pharm is one of the most common Pharmacy courses after 12th Science.

• Course Duration: 4 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue a B.Pharm is to complete 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate in biology and chemistry.
• Subjects: Human Anatomy & Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Maths & Biostatistics, and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
• Course Fee: INR 40,000 to INR 1 Lakh
• Areas of Recruitment: Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Medicine Technology, Hospitals, Pharmacology, Testing Labs, etc.
• Entrance Exam for B.Pharma: WBJEE, Odisha JEE, GCET, HPCET, and much more

Read More: B.Pharm

B.Pharm (Lateral)

Lateral entry to the B.Pharma course is given to students who have completed a pharmacy degree and want to pursue higher learning in pharmacy. The coursework is similar, but the eligibility criteria vary among regular students. The admission process is done by providing a direct admission/entry of the student to the second year of the B.Pharma course. It is one of the popular pharmacy courses after 12th science.

• Course Duration: 3 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy via lateral entry is to complete a Diploma in Pharmacy or Diploma in Biochemistry with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
• Course Fees: INR 40,000 to INR 90,000.
• Areas of Recruitment: Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Medicine Technology, Hospitals, Pharmacology, Testing Labs, etc.

Read More: B.Pharm (Lateral)

B.Pharma (Hons.)

An Honours Degree generally comprises a larger course volume and syllabus and a higher standard of education than a normal bachelor's degree. B. Pharm (Hons.) degree which is another pharmacy courses after 12th science has been structured to match and exceed the current pharmacy research industry's standards and requirements.

The coursework essentially prepares students for higher education and offers more research-oriented concepts for dissertation purposes. B.Pharm (Hons) usually offers students additional foundational courses related to pharmacy, which provides them with an extra edge in terms of job scopes and opportunities. 

• Course Duration: 4 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours is to complete 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate in biology and chemistry.
• Subjects: Human Anatomy, Advanced Physiology, Biochemistry, Chemical Processing, Analytical Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
• Course Fee: INR 40,000 to INR 1 LPA
• Areas of Recruitment: Biotechnology Research, Virology and Pathology Department, Medicine Lab 
• Technology, Healthcare Centers, Pharmacology Manufacturing, Testing Labs, etc.
• Entrance Exams for B.Pharm Hons: WBJEE, Odisha JEE, GCET, HPCET, and much more

B.Pharm Ayurveda

Pharmacy is not only for allopathic medicines but also applies to ayurvedic medicines. Ayurveda or Ayurvedic Science has immense potential in India as it is being practiced for over 5000 years and is native to our motherland. B.Pharm Ayurveda is a 4-year full-time undergraduate pharma science program that deals with the fundamentals of Ayurvedic healing and the production of various Ayurvedic medicines. It is regarded as the top pharmacy courses after 12th science.

Ever since the establishment of AAYUSH by the government of India, there has been substantial growth in the usage of Ayurvedic medicines across the country. The development of Ayurvedic science has established numerous job scopes for graduates in both the public and private sectors.

• Course Duration: 4 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy in Ayurveda is to complete 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate in biology. Students should have completed a Diploma in Naturopathy or Ayurvedic Pharmacy with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for lateral entry.
• Subjects: Human Anatomy, Advanced Physiology, Biochemistry, Chemical Processing, Analytical Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
• Course Fee: INR 20,000 to INR 1.5 LPA
• Areas of Recruitment: Siddha Centers, Ayurveda Centers, Medicine Manufacturing, Therapy Centers, etc.
• Entrance Exams for B.Pharm Ayurveda: WBJEE, Odisha JEE, GCET, HPCET, and much more

D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy)

Next among the list of top pharmacy courses after 12th Science is a Diploma in Pharmacy. D.Pharm is a foundation course in pharmacy, with a duration of 2 years divided into four semesters. The course deals with the fundamentals of pharmaceutical studies and provides a basic understanding of common medicines.

The course is designed in such a way as to prepare the students to work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist in hospitals and other related pharmaceutical fields. There are numerous job scopes for D.Pharm graduates in the pharmaceutical business and hospitals. Graduates can also obtain pharmacy licenses to start their stores and delve into entrepreneurship.

• Course Duration: 2 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue a Diploma in Pharmacy is to complete 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate in biology. 
• Subjects: Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical studies, Drug store, and Business Management, and Pharmacology & Toxicology. 
• Course Fee: INR 9,000 to INR 2 Lakhs
• Areas of Recruitment: Pharma Stores, Logistics Management, Drug Testing, etc. 
• Entrance exams for D.Pharm:  GPAT, UPSEE, AU AIMEE Pharmacy 

Read More: D.Pharm

M.Pharm (Masters in Pharmacy)

Another course among the best pharmacy courses after 12th Science is a Masters in Pharmacy. M.Pharm Course is a postgraduate pharmacology studies degree that offers advanced pharmacology manufacturing and biochemical processing. The course offers more advanced research-based subjects in pharma science.

The course provides a basic understanding of salts' chemical processing into medicines that can be used for commercial medicinal purposes. The course offers more scope for research and often provides greater job opportunities in the pharmaceutical sciences. 

• Course Duration: 2 Years
• Eligibility Criteria: The basic eligibility to pursue an M.Pharm i is to pass the Bachelor of Pharmacy program with not less than 50%. 
• Subjects: Modern Pharmaceutics, Advanced Biopharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmaceutical Formulation Development, and Pharmacokinetics.
• Course Fee: INR 2 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs
• Areas of Recruitment: Biotechnology Research, Virology and Pathology Department, Medicine Lab Technology, Healthcare Centers, Pharmacology Manufacturing, Testing Labs, etc. 
• Entrance exams for M.Pharm:  GPAT, NIPER Exam, PGECET, BITS HD Pharmacy

Read More: M.Pharm

What is a Pharmacy Course?

Pharmacy courses after 12th Science deal with specialization in biological sciences and the application of basic chemistry in pharmacology and Medical Science. In general, the course provides details on several aspects of medical sciences such as types of ailments and medications, chemical composure, the action of chemical salts on the human body, and much more. Let us understand the pharmacy industry in India to get an idea about the job scope.

Also Read: Top Courses and Career Options After B.Pharm

Specialization Courses in Pharmacy

There are numerous specialization pharmacy courses after 12th Science offered by top institutes. These specializations can be pursued as Individual courses under B. Pharm or M.Pharm degree. Usually, specialized studies are offered under the M.Pharm course in India. Some of the popular specializations offered in the field of Pharmacy are given below:

• Clinical Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutics
• Industrial Pharmacy
• Biopharmaceutics
• Drug Regulatory Affairs
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Quality Assurance
• Phytopharmaceuticals and Natural Products
• Pharmaceutical Marketing Management
• Drug Discovery and Development

Also Read: Get a complete guide to build a career in Pharma Industry

Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy Courses

The pharmacy course is generally appropriate for aspirants who completed 10+2 with biology and chemistry as mandatory subjects. The eligibility criteria for Pharmacy courses are very generic, and there are some additional prerequisite requirements to get admission into premier institutions. Some of the common eligibility for pursuing pharmacy courses after 12th Science are listed below.

• Aspirants should have passed 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology from a recognized board of study. The students should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination.
• Apart from regular 10+2 based admissions, students who had passed a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) with 50% aggregate are also eligible.
• The admission process is done by the State/ Central Medical Admission Authority. It can be based on the merit/Entrance exam. There are certain B.pharma entrance exams. Entrance exams like GPAT, TS EAMCET, AP EAMCET, etc., are considered valid for the admission process.
• Apart from central or state universities, some private universities conduct entrance exams of their own for admissions. Students are required to secure a minimum cutoff score in those exams for admission into the university.

Also Read: Courses After B.Pharm

Pharmacy Entrance Exams after 12th

Through the entrance exam for pharmacy after 12th, the candidates can get admitted to undergraduate or diploma in pharmacy programs offered by various colleges in India. Here is the list of entrance exams for admission to pharmacy courses after 12th Science conducted by various states.

Several entrance exams for Pharmacy courses after 12th Science are conducted by both the Central government and State governments to admit the best suitable candidate to pursue a career in Pharmaceuticals. There is a certain b.pharm online application form that candidates need to fill out. 

Also Read: Pharmacy Entrance Exams in India

Best Pharmacy Colleges in India

Some of the top pharmacy colleges in India are mentioned below:

• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata
• Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
• University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh
• Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi
• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat
• Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad

Also Read: NIRF Pharmacy Ranking: Top 50 Pharmacy Colleges in India

Scope of Pharmacy

A career in the pharmaceutical sciences is full of opportunities. Mentioned below are some of the options a pharmacy professional can venture into:

• Research and Development: The pharmacy industry is an industry that thrives on research and development. M.Pharm and Ph.D. are always in high demand for research on new drugs, formulation, development, clinical trials, and also toxicological Studies.
• Production and Manufacturing: The career options for working in the production and manufacturing department are huge. One can venture into entrepreneurship or work for someone. Professionals for production and manufacturing are required by biotechnological products, surgical dressings, medical devices, equipment, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Unani medicines, and veterinary medicine, to name a few. They are also required for the production of various cosmetics, toiletries, and dental products.
• Analysis and Testing: Analysis and testing are required in the pharmacy industry, especially to maintain proper Quality control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA). Highly skilled staff is required for the same by companies to handle sensitive analytical dealings and sophisticated equipment.
• Regulatory Bodies: The FDA is the regulatory body that deals with the governance and implementation of rules and regulations for the Drug and Pharmaceutical industry. The post of a Drug Inspector, Assistant Drug Controller, Deputy Drug Controller, Drug Controller of state, and finally D.C. I. (Drug Controller of India) is an option that can be aspired for.
• Hospitals: Although it has been a trend in the United States or Canada, it seems to be gaining momentum in India. Pharmacists in hospitals are the best-informed individuals for drug prescriptions. In most Western countries, the diagnosis is performed by Doctors, but the pharmacists decide the medicines and their dosage. Therefore, Pharmacy graduates play a vital role and can earn attractive remunerations and occupy strategic positions in their careers.

Also Read: Pharmacy Courses after 10th

Careers in Pharmacy After 12th

There are numerous job scopes and opportunities in pharmacology, pharmaceutical science, biomedical research, virology and pathology research, and much more. Once a student completes pharmacy courses after 12th science, they can get into various job roles. There have been numerous openings in the pharma sector in recent days due to vaccines and testing across several nations and in both sectors. 

Pharmacists work in a community and Ayurveda/ Yoga/ Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy dispensaries. Plenty of job opportunities are available in private and public hospitals, and retail pharmacies, including R&D, Analysis and Testing, Production and Manufacturing, Marketing, Hospitals, Regulatory Bodies, etc. Let us understand more about the job roles and average pay in the upcoming headings.

Also Read: Latest Government Jobs After B.Pharmacy

Job Opportunities in Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a growing domain and has endless opportunities and scopes for graduates of any pharmacy-related course. Graduates get hired in different job roles depending upon the sector they're hired in and the demand. Some of the top job roles for graduates of pharmacy courses after 12th science are listed below:

• Chemical/ Drug Technician
• Pathological Lab
• Drug Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Bio-Technology Industries
• Scientist
• Drug Inspector
• Research Officer
• Health Inspector
• Research and Development
• Hospital Drug Coordinator
• Making prescriptions to patients
• Administrative posts
• Marking Professional
• Quality Control Officer

Sectors Providing Job Opportunities

The various job opportunities provided by the pharmaceutical sector are listed below:

• Hospital
• Clinical Pharmacy
• State Wise Drugs and Pharmaceutical Boards
• Technical Pharmacy
• Medical Shop Chains
• Research Agencies
• Chemist Shop
• Medical Dispensing Store
• Research bodies and labs
• Sales and Marketing Department
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Educational Institutes

Pharmacist Salary in India

The payroll for a pharmacist varies on the number of experience he/she has in the medical field. Skills like patience and strong communication skills are considered important for this position. Some of the top job designations and their respective pay scale for pharmacy courses after 12th science are listed below:

Also Read: History of Pharmacy in India