Pharm.D is a six-year pre-PhD postgraduate program that deals with the clinical study of drugs and experiments, which further helps treat patients in Pharmaceutical Science. Pharm.D course duration includes 5 years of academic studies and one year of internship for students of doctorate level. Pharm.D job opportunities are available in various fields such as government hospitals, private hospitals, sports authorities, CRPF, academic institutes, drug stores, etc. After completing the Pharm.D course, freshers can work in various roles such as Drug Advisor, Clinical Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist, Nutritionist, Lecturer, Medical Writer, Drug Writer, etc.
Pharm.D Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Doctor of Pharmacy |
| Duration | Course Duration of Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] is 6 Years. |
| Age | Minimum 17 years of age |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Fees Incurred | INR 50,000 - 2 LPA |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 3.5 LPA [Source: PayScale] |
| Employment Roles | Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacologist, Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Junior Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Data Analyst, Business Development Manager, Research Scientist etc |
| Placement Opportunities | Quintiles, Inc., Syngene, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark Pharma, Zydus Cadila, Biocon, GlaxoSmithKline, Cipla Inc., Apollo Hospitals, BioClinica, Fortis Hospitals, Glenmark Pharma, Fortis etc |
Pharm.D Latest Notifications:
- June 21, 2022: SRMJEE 2022 Result Declaration is in July, 2022. Read More
- April 21, 2022: BVP CET 2022 Entrance Exams are to be conducted on July 1 and July 2, 2022 (Phase 1). Read More
- April 21, 2022: BVP CET 2022 Entrance Exams is to be conducted on July 10, 2022 (Phase 2). Read More
- April 21, 2022: Declaration of BVP CET Result is on July 18, 2022. Read More
- April 21, 2022: BVP CET 2022 Counseling Date is from July 27, 2022 to July 30, 2022. Read More
About Pharm.D
Merriam Webster defines Pharmacy as ‘the art, practice or profession of preparing, preserving and compounding, and dispensing medical drugs.’
Pharm.D is a six-year doctorate program under the Science stream. Pharm.D is the only pre-PhD degree that can be pursued immediately after completing 10+2, including five years of academic training and one year of internship training.
Table of Contents
- Pharm.D Eligibility Criteria
- Pharm.D Admission Process
- Pharm.D Lateral Entry
- Who Should Pursue Pharm.D?
- Types of Pharm.D
- Pharm.D Specializations
- Popular Pharm.D Entrance Exams
- Study Pharm.D in India
- Top Pharm.D Colleges
- Pharm.D College Comparison
- Study Pharm.D Abroad
- Fees Structure for Pharm.D
- Syllabus and Subjects for Pharm.D
- Course Comparison: Pharm.D vs B.Pharm
- Why Choose Pharm.D?
- Preparation Tips for Pharm.D
- Scope of Higher Education after Pharm.D
- Pharm.D Salary
- Career Options After Pharm.D
- Skills To Excel
Eligibility Criteria For Pharm.D
Students must clear the 10+2 examination from any recognized board or school. The basic Pharm.D eligibility criteria include securing 50% aggregate marks in the 10+2 exam and sound performance in the Pharm.D entrance exams for respective colleges. The minimum age for Pharm.D eligibility is 17 years.
Students should note that the eligibility criteria for the 6 years Pharm.D course and the 3 years Pharm.D are different.
Eligibility For 6 Year Pharm.D Course
Below are the eligibility criteria for the 6-year Pharm.D Course:
- Candidates must have completed Level 10 + 2 from the State / National Board of Education.
- They must be studying physics and chemistry as compulsory subjects.
- The minimum age limit is 17 years old for the year of admission.
Eligibility For 3 Year Pharm.D Course [Post Baccalaureate]
Below are the eligibility criteria for the 3-year Pharm.D Course:
- The candidate who passed the bachelor's degree course in pharmacy from an institution approved by the Indian Pharmacy Council can enrol.
- Must have completed higher and secondary education 10 + 2 or equivalent in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or biology subjects.
How To Get Admission in Pharm.D
For Pharm.D admissions 2021, students must satisfy the eligibility criteria. The basic Pharm.D eligibility criteria for securing admission into the Pharm.D course is passing the 10+2 exams with a minimum of 50% from any recognized board or school. Applications for Pharm.D admissions may be available by going to the college portal or directly visiting the college admissions office. Listed below are the details of the Pharm.D admission process in general:
How To Apply?
Pharm.D course information is available on the Pharm.D colleges in India through which the aspirants begin their application process. The Pharm.D course applications in India are available to students through both the online and offline modes. Students must fill out the applications through their preferable mode among the two and provide valid documents for the same.
How to get Admission to Top Pharm.D Colleges?
Pharm.D course duration includes 5 years of academic studies and one year of internship for students of doctorate level. Job opportunities are available in various fields after a long duration of enmeshing skills and aptitude in pharmaceutical science training.
Students can follow these guidelines to enrol in a good university:
- Students must ensure that they are aware of the eligibility criteria for the course.
- Improve skills with extracurricular activities.
- Students must research online about the admission process.
- As the students prepare, they should be aware of areas of interest, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Address the weaknesses, get the best results
- Apart from merit-based admission, the Pharmacy colleges in India conduct entrance exams for admission to Pharmacy courses like MHT CET, AP EAMCET, TS EAMCET, KEAM, WBJEE, KCET, HPCET, OJEE, BITSAT, etc.
Selection Process
The selection process for Pharm.D admissions 2021 is usually based on the candidate’s performance in the 10+2 examinations. In some Pharm.D colleges, admissions are strictly offered to only those candidates who pass a Pharm.D entrance exam of the respective colleges such as GPAT, UP-CPMT, and UPSEE.
Pharm.D Lateral Entry
Pharm.D Lateral Entry admissions are available to candidates who have completed their Diploma in Pharmacy or B.Pharmacy course. Lateral Entry for Pharm.D is done for the 6-year long Pharm.D (Pre Baccalaureate) course. Pharm.D Lateral Entry candidates can join the course from the 4th year onwards.
Who Should Pursue Pharm.D?
Pharm.D is a six-year pre-PhD postgraduate program that deals with the clinical study of drugs and experiments, which further helps treat patients in Pharmaceutical Science.
- Candidates interested in working with various drug regulators to prevent drugs or drug overdose should take this course.
- Applicants interested in a healthcare career can pursue a Pharm.D course
- Candidates wishing to pursue a career in pharmacy should take this course.
When To Do Pharm.D
Aspirants can take up the Pharm.D course immediately after completing their 10+2 from a recognized board. For the 3-year Pharm.D course, aspirants can apply for the course after completing their Bachelor of Pharmacy or B.Pharm degree.
Types of Pharm.D
The Pharm.D degree is apt for students interested in the healthcare industry. The duration of the course is 6 years. There are 2 types of Pharm.D courses that students can opt to pursue, as follows:
Pharm.D (Pre Baccalaureate)
Pharm.D (Pre Baccalaureate) is a 6-year doctoral degree programme where students will have to complete 5 years of academic study and a 1-year internship at a hospital. Students who have completed their 10+2 can apply for this course.
Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate)
Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate) is a 3-year doctoral degree programme that sees students complete 2 years of academic study and a 1-year internship at a hospital. B.Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy graduates are eligible for this course.
Pharm.D Specializations
Students enrolled in the Pharm.D program must complete the standard curriculum set by the Indian Pharmacy Council. However, a PhD in Pharmacy gives candidates a variety of specializations to choose from based on their interests and preferences. The Doctor of Pharmacy focuses on pharmacies, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical analysis, and clinical research.
Pharmaceutical Technology: Pharmaceutical technology involves implementing scientific knowledge to develop new methods for the manufacture of drugs and processes.
Pharmaceutical R&D: In pharmaceutical R & D, new drugs are discovered by recognizing the active ingredients in traditional medicine and treatments, or discoveries such as penicillin.
Medicinal Chemistry: Medicinal Chemistry deals with the research and development of pharmaceuticals. Drug discovery, delivery, human consumption, and metabolic responses form part of this area. Biomedical analysis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics form part of medicinal chemistry.
Industrial Pharmacies: Industrial pharmacies handle the manufacture, development, promotion, and distribution of medicines to end-users.
Popular Entrance Exams For Pharm.D
For the Pharm.D admission process, the selection of candidates is either based on merit or through an entrance exam conducted by the institution. Candidates must ensure they prepare for the entrance exam of Pharm.D along all the lines of requirements.
Pharm.D colleges or universities ensure they select the best student with the desired knowledge and skill set with the entrance exam process. Listed below are some of the popular entrance exams for the 6 years Pharm.D course duration:
- GPAT
- UPSEE
- NIMS Entrance Exam
- VELS Entrance Exam
- Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Common Entrance Test
- SRMJEEE
- UP-CPMT
- NIPER JEE
A Quick Glance At The Pharm.D Entrance Exams
Students, who wish to appear for the Pharm.D entrance exam should ask, ‘What is Pharm.D?’ They should adequately study the exam pattern and the syllabus beforehand. This ensures a timely preparation for the candidate before appearing for a Pharm.D entrance. Listed below are the detailed pattern of the Pharm.D entrance exam:
- The duration of the exam is 180 mins
- It is a computer-based test
- The number of questions asked is 125
- All questions will be asked in an MCQ format
- Each correct answer carries 4 marks
- Each wrong answer has a negative marking of 1
Study Pharm.D in India
India is home to some of the best Pharm.D colleges globally. India is also a significant producer and exporter of pharmaceuticals globally, which is why a career in Pharmacy is attractive for aspirants. Below are some of the best Pharm.D colleges in India.
Top Pharm.D Colleges in India
Even though Pharm.D was introduced in 2008, it has come a long way to be recognized as a top-tier career prospect for many students. Pharm.D benefits many students in the job scope area while also acting as a gateway to higher studies. Many top institutions in India have included the Pharm.D course in their curriculum. Listed below are the top Pharm.D colleges in India:
Pharm.D Colleges in Bangalore
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Bangalore with average fees:
| College Names | Average Fees |
| Dayananda Sagar University | INR 3.7 LPA |
| MS Ramaiah University | INR 2 LPA |
| Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy | INR 17.5 LPA |
| Karnataka College of Pharmacy | INR 1 LPA |
| T John College of Pharmacy | INR 1.3 LPA |
Read More: Top Pharm.D Colleges in Bangalore
Pharm.D Colleges in Hyderabad
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Hyderabad with an average fee:
| College Names | Average Fees |
| Sultan Ul Uloom College of Pharmacy | INR 4.8 LPA |
| Sri Venkateshwara College of Pharmacy | INR 4.1 LPA |
| Anurag Group of Institutions | INR 6.2 LPA |
| RBVRR Women’s College of Pharmacy | INR 4.2 LPA |
| Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy | INR 5.4 LPA |
Read More: Top Pharm.D Colleges in Hyderabad
Pharm.D Colleges in Coimbatore
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Coimbatore with an average fee:
| College Names | Average Fees |
| Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore | INR 9.6 LPA |
| Karpagam University | INR 15 LPA |
| RVS College of Pharmaceutical Science, Coimbatore | INR 4.0 LPA |
| Karpagam College of Pharmacy | INR 18 LPA |
Read More: Top Pharm.D Colleges in Coimbatore
Pharm.D Colleges in Chennai
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Chennai with average fees:
| College Names | Average Fees |
| SRUSRMCRI | INR 7.5 LPA |
| Vels University | INR 2 LPA |
| Jaya College of Paramedical Sciences College of Pharmacy | INR 2.7 LPA |
Read More: Top Pharm.D Colleges in Chennai
Pharm.D College Comparison
Given below is a college comparison of two colleges that provide the PharmD course in India:
| Parameters | Chandigarh University | NIMS University |
| Overview | Chandigarh University is situated in Chandigarh. It is a private university with an A+ grade by NAAC. | NIMS University is situated in Jaipur. According to ASSOCHAM, It is the best private university in 2018. |
| Location | Chandigarh | Jaipur |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks |
| Admission process | Entrance exam | Entrance exam |
| Average fees | INR 2 LPA | INR 1.5 LPA |
| Top recruiting organizations | Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, Dell, IBM, Sapient, Oracle, Flipkart, etc. | Dell, Cisco, CNBC, IBM, Adobe, Cairn, Wipro, VIVO, Intex, HDFC Bank, etc. |
| Average salary | INR 7 LPA (Source- Glassdoor) | INR 4 LPA (Source- Glassdoor) |
Study Pharm.D Abroad
Candidates often prefer to study the Pharm.D course at a foreign university. Foreign universities provide the best infrastructure, research facilities, experienced faculty, and good placement. Admission procedures require candidates to pass English proficiency tests such as IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. Candidates must also submit a bank account proof and testimonial.
Below are some of the institutions that offer Pharm.D courses in the following countries:
USA Colleges
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in the USA with average fees:
| College Name | Average Fees |
| University of Cincinnati | INR 1.1 Crore PA |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | INR 2.3 Crore PA |
| University of Arizona | INR 66 LPA |
| University of Iowa | INR 1.28 Crore PA |
| University of Missouri | INR 16.6 Crore PA |
UK Colleges
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in the UK with average fees:
| College Name | Average Fees |
| University of Liverpool | INR 73 LPA |
| University of Birmingham | INR 72 LPA |
| UK College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky | INR 40 LPA |
| University of Manchester | INR 75 LPA |
| University of Reading | INR 64 LPA |
Canada Colleges
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Canada with an average fee:
| College Name | Average Fees |
| University of Toronto | INR 102 LPA |
| McGill University | INR 29 LPA |
| University of British Columbia | INR 16 LPA |
| University of Alberta | INR 10 LPA |
| University of Waterloo | INR 37 LPA |
Australia Colleges
Below is a list of the top Pharm.D colleges in Australia with an average fee:
| College Name | Average Fees |
| Flinders University | INR 79 LPA |
| University of Technology Sydney | INR 80 LPA |
| University of Newcastle | INR 96 LPA |
| Curtin University | INR 82 LPA |
| University of Tasmania | INR 86 LPA |
Fee Structure For Pharm.D
The average Pharm.D course fee in India is INR 10K - 50K per annum. The Pharm.D fees per year may vary on various factors such as Infrastructure, teaching facilities, institutional facilities, faculty, etc. Unlike other courses, the Pharm.D government colleges in India do not differ much from the private colleges in terms of the fee structure.
The Pharm.D course fee details reveal comparably expensive to other courses offered in India. Below is the list of the Pharm.D course fees for various colleges in India:
| Sl.No. | Name of the Institute | Total Fee Structure |
| 1. | JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore | INR 15.1 LPA |
| 2. | Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai | INR 7.5 LPA |
| 3. | Dayanand Sagar University, Bengaluru | INR 3.7 LPA |
| 4. | Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune | INR 10.5 LPA |
| 5. | Jaipur National University, Jaipur | INR 6.6 LPA |
| 6. | SRM University, Chennai | INR 15 LPA |
Syllabus And Subjects For Pharm.D
The Pharm.D syllabus includes subjects that encompass six years. Pharm.D course duration is usually divided into five years of academic training having 10 semesters and one year for internship. The graduates of B.Pharm have to study for two years and one-year internship training while completing the Pharm.D course. Below is the subject list of the Pharm.D offered by various colleges in the country:
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
- Clinical Toxicology
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Pathophysiology
- Medicinal Biochemistry
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Community Pharmacy
- Pharmacotherapeutics
Read More: Pharm.D Syllabus and Subjects
Course Comparison: Pharm.D vs BPharm
Below is a comparison of PharmD and B.Pharmacy course through multiple parameters:
| Parameters | Doctor of Pharmacy | Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| Overview | Doctor of Pharmacy is a combination of science and art of dispensing medicines. Students are acknowledged as practical in clinical pharmacy and medical pharmacy. | This course aims at the candidates who want to open their pharmacy store or join the research industry. Also, it teaches about medicines, drugs, formulations, etc. |
| Duration | 6 years | 4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 60% marks in the science stream | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in the science stream |
| Admission Process | Merit-Based | Entrance Exam Based |
| Top Colleges | Chandigarh University, NIMS University, Manipal college of pharmaceutical sciences, Etc. | Jamia Hamdard, Panjab University, BITS Pilani, etc. |
| Job Roles | Pharmacists, Drug experts, Retail Pharmacists, Hospital Pharmacy directors, Hospital Staff Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacists, etc. | Drug inspector, medical writer, pharmaceutical scientist, pharmacy business, etc. |
| Average Fees | INR 6– 20 LPA | INR 4 – 5 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 3 – 10 LPA (Source- Glassdoor) | INR 2.5 – 6 LPA(Source- Glassdoor) |
| Top Recruiting Organization | Home Health Care, Community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, managed care, governmental agencies, etc. | Hospitals, Government Drug Research Institutes, Medical Clinics, etc. |
Read More: B.Pharmacy
Why Choose Pharm.D
Pharmaceutical and healthcare services are essential parts of a well-oiled welfare society. With newer discoveries and infrastructure development being a continuous course of action, courses such as Pharm.D have gained a lot of importance in the last decade. Although a newer course, Pharm.D has managed to become an essential part of the college curriculum all around the globe. To understand ‘Why to choose Pharm.D?’, we make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three questions:
What is Pharm.D All About?
The Pharm.D course duration is six years that focuses on imparting various critical skills to students such as medical writing, therapeutic skills, counselling skills, persuasive skills, technical skills, and business skills. The Pharm.D course's full form is Doctor of Pharmacy. The Pharm.D course aims to sculpt the graduates into individuals with pharmaceutical skills to face the industry challenges and provide adequate solutions.
What Does a Pharm.D Graduate Do?
Pharm.D careers can be a rich and fulfilling experience for aspirants who want to explore and contribute to the world of pharmaceutics and healthcare. There are various Pharm.D benefits available to graduates, including job postings such as Nutritionist, Medical Writer, Drug Advisor or work as a community practitioner for prescribing medications for chronic diseases.
Medical Writer: Medical writer works on creating scientific documents by associating closely with doctors, scientists, and other subject experts to elaborate vividly on the research results and the product’s usage. Medical Writers have become very reputable in the past few years with the industry demands concise writers that can put medical details clearly on a document.
Reasons Why Pharm.D Can Fetch You A Rewarding Career?
Pharm.D has today become a lucrative career not only because of the advancement in technology and medical research but also because healthcare has become one of the essential and dire human services.
Community Involvement: The need for Pharmacists is growing in the country as they provide legitimacy with their advice and prescriptions. Pharmacists spend years of study and training in understanding the world of Pharm.D courses and their uses.
Read More: Pharm.D Job Opportunities and Scope
Preparation Tips For Pharm.D
Students should be well prepared following the various aspects of the Pharm.D entrance exam. They should do a timely preparation by reading PharmD books and references beforehand. Students should visit the college website and find out all information about the PharmD course details in India.
This enables the aspirants to cover all the essential aspects of the exam adequately. Upon selection, students should continue to read PharmD reference books, never losing grip on the Pharm.D course. Some preparation tips for the Pharm.D entrance exam are listed below:
- Effective Time Management: A candidate should follow a practical timetable to enable them to do timely preparation. Students should focus on weaker subjects so as not to lose marks during the examination.
- Regular Practice: Regular practice throughout the preparation process ensures a well revised and ready-for-exam candidate.
- Debunking the Exam Pattern: Downloading and practising the question paper from the previous years helps to understand and debunk the pattern in which questions are asked.
- Enrolling in Coaching Institutes: Attending coaching classes during the preparation process helps the candidate gain a more straightforward path with the help of their mentors. Emphasis on weaker subjects also helps to gain leverage of scoring high in all topics.
Scope For Higher Education
Ample educational opportunities are available to Pharm.D degree holders who do not want to take up jobs immediately after graduation. Higher education experiences ensure a higher pay scale when entering the job industry. Research skills become more polished with higher education experience, thus becoming an individual of high demand in various positions. Some of the higher education opportunities available for Pharm.D graduates are listed below:
Pharm.D Salary
According to payscale, the average Pharm.D salary offered in India is INR 3.6 LPA. The pay range goes higher as the graduate gains experience over time. Higher Studies after Pharm.D course duration also ensures a higher pay scale when entering a workforce.
Read More: Pharm.D Salary and Placements
Career Options After Pharm.D
While researching the Pharm.D course details in India, one should look into the career options that Pharm.D fetches for its graduates. Options vary for students who want to immediately enter the workforce compared to those who want to pursue higher studies. Graduates of Pharm.D interested in teaching can apply for the NET exam. Some of the popular roles available to Pharm.D graduates are:
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Lecturer
- Drug Interaction Specialist
- Nutritionist
- Medical Writer
- Pharmaceutical Advisor
- Hospital Pharmacy Director
- Drug Expert
- Retail Pharmacist
Skills That Make You The Best Pharm.D Graduate
Pharm.D course duration is six years and demands a detailed study of the course and a specific set of skill sets and knowledge that would enable the student to stand out.
Management and interpersonal skills play a massive role in ensuring the student become a top-tier graduate as Pharm.D is not only about knowing the subject but also about providing community service and building relationships.
Accuracy in identifying and counselling skills also ensures the student becomes a respected professional in their field. Some of the skills are listed below:
- Interpersonal skills
- Accuracy skills
- Typing skills
- Proofreading skills
- Communication skills
- Counseling
- Multitasking
- Management skills
- Professional étiquettes
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐Is Pharm D and D Pharm same?
D Pharm stands for Diploma in Pharmacy. It is a certification course in pharmacy which holds lesser value than a Doctorate in Pharmacy [Pharm.D]
⭐Which is better Pharm D or B Pharmacy?
Pharm.D is better than B Pharmacy because Pharm.D is a professional doctoral course while B.Pharmacy is an undergraduate course in pharmacy.
⭐What is the difference between Pharm D and PhD in Pharmacy?
Pharm.D is a professional doctoral course in pharmacy which is more job-oriented while PhD in Pharmacy is also a doctoral course focussing more on research.
See Various Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] Colleges in India
Fee Structure of Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] in India
Fee Structure by State for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]
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Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] Reviews
Nikhattabssum
Pharm.D, batch of 2021
I took admission into pharm D course by clearing TS EAMCET entrance exam.
Thanheerbhai
Pharm.D, batch of 2025
•Eligibility 2 PUC with 60% marks •The entrance examination which I gave was CET.
Kaustubhpbh
Pharm.D, batch of 2020
Min 60% in PCB or PCM class 12 and 60% with no back. GPAT cutoff 169
