PharmD Vs MBBS: Eligibility, Admission, Job Scope, Top Colleges

Want to pursue a career in medicine? Confused between MBBS vs PharmD? The Pharm.D. and MBBS degree courses are extensive in their respective fields. Technically, they both hold doctoral-level degrees. There is no aspect of one that makes it superior to the other.

Both have an equal amount of significance in their respective roles. Mbbs is more concerned with anatomy, while PharmD focuses more on medicines. This article will take one through the details of the two courses and help to decide one’s inclination and interests in medicine. 

Table Of Contents

• Key Highlights
• Overview
• Eligibility And Admission Process
• Curriculum
• Benefits Of Pursuing
• Scope And Opportunities
• Salary
• Top Colleges
• Which One To Choose?

MBBS vs PharmD: Key Highlights

MBBS and PharmD are among the go-to course choices for students planning to pursue a career in the medical field. The two courses may be challenging but are recognised and considered of great significance in India.

A course in these fields allows students to understand the fundamentals of the medical and pharmaceutical field and choose a path for themselves. 
Some of the key highlights of the MBBS and PharmD are-

Also Check: Minimum Marks Required in NEET for MBBS in Government College

MBBS vs PharmD: Overview

MBBS or Bachelors of Medicine or Bachelors of Surgery is an undergraduate course in India that allows one to practice as a medical professional.

• The course is done for a period of 5.5 years including the period of internship and provides an insight into the different categories of medicine like pathology, anatomy and surgery.

Read More: MBBS

Whereas, PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy is a 6 years course that allows a student to earn theoretical as well as practical exposure to the different aspects of medicine, its making and the practical knowledge of it.

• There is an internship period a year is included in the 6-years tenure of the course along with deep-dive knowledge of pharmacy.

Read More: PharmD

MBBS vs PharmD: Eligibility & Admission Process

Admission into a medical college is a matter of pride and challenge, which requires utmost preparation for the entrance examination and dedication to the course and the field of education.

All universities and institutes offering a course in MBBS or in PharmD take admission on the basis of entrance examination, which varies from university to university.

MBBS Eligibility Criteria

• For admission to an MBBS undergraduate course, one is required to pass a minimum of 50% in 10+2 governed by a reputed university with compulsory subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology.
• However, for the reserved category, the minimum criteria for admission are 40%.
• The candidate should also be at least 17 years of age.
• Entrance examination NEET is conducted all across the country and caters to the syllabus of 10+2 along with the basics of the MBBS. Some private universities, like AIIMS, conduct their entrance examinations.

PharmD Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be admitted into PharmD-offered universities and institutes, one has to bring a minimum of 50% in class 12 examination from a recognised board of examination with compulsory subjects in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics.
• The reserved categories, such as ST/SC and OBC, are given a 5% relaxation, i.e., 45%.
• Entrance examinations like- NIMSEE, GPAT, BV- CET and SRMJEE by different universities and institutes across the country.

Read More: Hospital Management Courses

MBBS vs PharmD: Curriculum

Courses in MBBS and PharmD allow students to engrave a comprehensive knowledge about the respective subjects and fields through an amalgamation of theory and practical aspects of MBBS and PharmD. The learning is surrounded by years of intensive training and specialising in their respective fields of education.

MBBS and PharmD provide the students with a semester-wise learning process that is planned to cover different aspects of the course effectively and efficiently. Some of the subjects covered during MBBS and PharmD are:

MBBS Subjects

• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Orthopaedics

Read More: MBBS Syllabus and Subjects

PharmD Subjects

• Clinical Pharmacy
• Clinical Toxicology
• Pharmacology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Biopharmaceutics
• Pharmacognosy
• Hospital Pharmacy

Read More: PharmD Syllabus and Subjects 

MBBS vs PharmD: Benefits Of Pursuing

Graduates from both courses come in with their individuality and benefits. An MBBS graduate cannot replace a PharmD or vice versa. Although we must recognize the fact that MBBS is given better consideration than PharmD in our society, the course and the field of study are still the same.

Both courses require the utmost dedication, passion, and commitment to the theory and practical aspects of learning during the tenure of education. Some of the benefits of MBBS and PharmD are:

MBBS Benefits

• There is an evergreen demand for MBBS professionals. As there will be more and more increases in humanity, the demand for medical professionals will only increase substantially. 
• After completion of MBBS, there is a wide scope of growth and development for the individual. They can choose to pursue a career in medical or even non-medical fields after MBBS. 
• One of the most prestigious jobs in the world, a doctor's income only increases with time and the experience they earn over time. A doctor is paid for their speciality and services. 

PharmD Benefits

• Healthcare workers are involved in contributing to the nation's health and welfare, which provides security in a job, as the duty of a healthcare worker never decreases.
•  PharmD graduates have the liberty to work from the office as well as from home. They can choose to work in an organisation, in their firm/clinic, or even remotely.
• A PharmD graduate is given consideration and respect throughout the globe. They are the frontline people who play an important role in decreasing chronic diseases and aiding the people of our country.

Read More: Paramedical Courses

MBBS Vs PharmD: Scope And Opportunities

With the growth of economies, the healthcare infrastructure is growing, and the need for competent healthcare professionals is also rising.  These two degrees provide many prospects to start a medical career and progress professionally. Medical experts are needed in health centres, from private to public.

Top recruiters for MBBS and PharmD students include Cipla, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Fortis Healthcare Limited, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and Dr reddy's laboratory.

The following are some of the most significant opportunities and career profiles in this industry:

MBBS Job Profiles

• Medical Surgeon
• Dietician
• Physician
• Medical Officer
• Paediatrician

Read More: MBBS Job Scope

PharmD Job Profiles

• Drug Expert
• Pharmacist
• Research Scientist
• Clinical Pharmacist
• Quality Assurance Manager

Read More: PharmD Job Scope

MBBS vs PharmD: Salary

Money is an important aspect of making a decision towards admission into a college for medical studies. 4- 5 years in one course is a big investment of time as well as capital. Students often take education loan in order to pursue these courses from top universities of the country.

Some of the compensations paid to the MBBS and PharmD graduates after completion of the courses are listed below:

MBBS Salary

Read More: MBBS Salary

PharmD Salary

Read More: PharmD Salary

MBBS vs PharmD: Top Colleges

A course in MBBS or PharmD is prevalent across India and is offered by many of the esteemed universities and colleges of our country. On the one hand, PharmD is an amalgamation of science and arts, which gives a deep dive into medicines.

In contrast, MBBS allows one to understand the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to become a physician, consultant, or surgeon so that one can contribute to and serve humanity.

Some of the top colleges providing a course in MBBS and PharmD are:

Top MBBS Colleges

• AIIMS Delhi
• CMC Vellore
• RG Kar Medical College
• Dr VRK Women's Medical College
• Saveetha Medical College

Read More: Top MBBS Colleges

Top PharmD Colleges

• Chandigarh University
• NIMS University
• SRM University of Technology
• Goa College of Pharmacy
• LM College of Pharmacy
• JSS College of Pharmacy

Read More: Top PharmD Colleges

MBBS vs PharmD: Which One To Choose?

All in all, both courses allow the students to enter the universe of healthcare and the welfare of the people. MBBS and PharmD open unlimited opportunities for students to grow and develop to build exceptional careers and make a better version of themselves. Some of the reasons to opt for MBBS and PharmD are -

Evergreen Demand: As humanity evolves, the need for doctors and healthcare professionals also keeps increasing. People need doctors to advise, help and guide them towards a better and healthier lifestyle.

Advancement in Healthcare: The world is moving towards advanced technologies and equipment in the healthcare industry. There will be a high demand for professionals who are skilled and can understand the techniques appropriately and implement them.

However, it comes down to the inclination and interest of the student’s career goal. It depends on the aspirations of the students and how they want to build their careers in the field of medicine and healthcare. We hope that this article will provide insight into the two courses.

Also Read: Top 7 MBBS Alternative Courses in India