The acronym of Doctor of Pharmacy is Pharm.D. It is a pre-Ph.D postgraduate program equivalent to the doctoral degree. The Pharm.D course duration is 6 years which include 1 year of internship. Eligibility criteria for this course are 12th-grade graduates (10+2) with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with Mathematics or Biology. B.Pharm graduates can also go for Pharm.D course and the course duration will be 4 years. Pharm.D graduates are the only pharmacy service which as the direct contact with the patient in the health care systems. Pharm.D deals with the clinical study of various drugs and clinical research experiments, which helps in the treatment of patients. For the ones who are interested in pursuing Ph.D degree, Pharm.D students can directly apply without any master degrees.
Pharm.D Course Fee in India:
The course fee will vary based on the college/university one is studying and also the quota one got admitted to this course. The average fee for Pharm.D course is INR 50,000 to 2 lakhs per annum.
Pharm.D Salary in India:
The salary scale will differ based on one's experience and knowledge towards the filed. The average Pharm.D salary will be INR 3.5 lakh per annum.
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% |
| Subjects Required | 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with Mathematics or Biology |
| Average Fees Incurred | The average Pharm.D course fee ranges from INR 50,000 - 2 lakhs per annum |
| Similar Options of Study | D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm |
| Average Salary Offered | The average Pharm.D salary is INR 3.5 lakhs per annum |
| 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 Course:
The full form of Pharm.D is Doctorate of Pharmacy. It is a professional pharmacy doctoral program. The degree awarded for this course is known as Pharm.D or Pharma.D which is an abbreviated form of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The Pharmacy Council of India introduced the Pharm.D course in India from the academic year 2008. The duration of the course is six years.
The Pharm.D course syllabus is designed to give due emphasis to the following focal points:
- Pharmaceutics
- Medicinal Biochemistry
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Clinical Research, etc.
Some of the top colleges in India for Pharm.D course are enlisted below:
- JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore
- Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology Kattankulathur Campus, Kanchipuram
- Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
- Jaipur National University, Jaipur
- VELS University, Chennai
- Smt. Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy, Mahbubnagar, etc.
Here there are few cities which have top colleges for Pharm.D in India are listed as below.
The basic eligibility criteria for pursuing Pharm.D course in India is Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with one of the following subjects: Mathematics or Biology with minimum 50% marks. The Pharmacy Council of India prescribes the number of Pharm.D course admissions from time to time, and presently it is restricted to 30 students intake for Pharm.D course per academic year. The D Pharm course job scope and employment are extensive and secure, while there are abundant research options.
Pharm.D Course Quick Links:
- Introduction to Pharm.D Course
- Reasons for Opting for Pharm.D
- Entrance Exams for Admission into Pharm.D
- Preparation Tips for Pharm.D Course
- Subjects in the Pharm.D Curriculum
- Fees for Pharm.D Course
- Syllabus in Pharm.D Curriculum
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission into Pharm.D Course
- Admission Procedure for Pharm.D Course
- Job Opportunities for Pharm.D Course
- Salary Package for Pharm.D Course
- Top Pharm.D Colleges in India
- Correspondence Pharm.D
- Pharm.D Course FAQs
What is Pharm.D Course?
![What is Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]?](https://www.getmyuni.com/assets/images/course_description/615749144d0b84be4b8c3ab52fe8ce2d.jpg)
Pharm.D course, whose full form is Doctorate in Pharmacy is a doctorate course. 'Pharm.D' is a Latin term which stands for 'Pharmacia Doctor' which means 'Doctor of Pharmacy'. Pharm.D course is a registrable qualification under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Pharmacy education in India is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India [PCI].
The curriculum of the Pharm.D is established in a manner to make the students competent to meet the global demand inpatient medication therapy while trying to improve patient outcomes. The students acquire clinical knowledge and skills to manage patients with chronic or acute illness as well as learning how to collaborate with other healthcare institutes in the Pharm.D course. Once an aspirant has completed the course, students gain skills in selection and therapeutic usage of drugs, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and monitoring of patients, etc.
Doctor of Pharmacy course is focused on classroom theory, penetrative laboratory experiments, and motivated research projects. Only specific PCI approved Colleges can offer Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] courses in India. There is only a limited number of colleges which provides the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Why Choose Pharm.D?
![Why Choose Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]?](https://www.getmyuni.com/assets/images/course_description/f55b589568510c46f65c0fbeaedb820a.jpg)
Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course enables one to prefix the title of 'Dr.' to practise pharmacy as a profession. Pharm.D course is a registrable qualification for practising pharmacy profession under the Pharmacy Act. Many graduates pursue careers in a hospital pharmacy where they are directly involved in patient care working in partnership with physicians, pharmacists and are instructed in increasingly assuming responsibility for medication therapy management.
Pharm.D course job opportunities include eligibility to be medical writers or medical advisors in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device and managed care companies. Pharm.D course graduates ware entitled to prescribe medications, such as intravenous antibiotics, pain management medication, nutritional supplements, and chemotherapy.
Pharmacists with experience and expertise in consulting, legal practice, drug information, poison control, and pharmacy affairs are in demand as the profession evolves thus resulting in increased scope for Pharm.D course. After completing the D.Pharm course, candidates are also eligible to undertake a PhD programme.
Pharm.D Entrance Exams:
A large number of private and government colleges in India conduct entrance examinations to gauge the merit of the aspirant to grant admission into the Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course:
- Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test [GPAT]
- All India PG Super Speciality Common Entrance Test [AIPSSCET]
- BITS HD Pharmacy
- Uttar Pradesh Combined Pre-Medical Test [UP-CPMT]
- Punjab Pre-Medical Entrance Test [PMET PMET]
- Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination [UPSEE] Pharmacy
For preparation for the entrance examination, candidates are advised to revise the topics in their bachelor level of education. Candidates should also refer to previous year question paper samples and solve mock question papers for a clear idea of the examination and better performance during the actual exam.
Pharm.D Course Preparation Tips:
Here are a few familiar preparation tips candidates should follow to clear the entrance exams for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]:
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Knowledge of the exam paper pattern: The paramount step in preparing well for the entrance exam is a deep-rooted understanding and comprehension of the paper pattern and the syllabus.
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Effective time management: Focus points should be kept in mind, with particular emphasis on weaker subjects and the daily practice of numerical problems. A timetable should be drawn and the candidate should follow the timeline with dedication and diligence.
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Enrolling in coaching institutes: A coaching class or a tutor especially for clearing the entrance exam is a bonus as the teacher will help a candidate to focus on weaker zones and will aid in practice and comprehension of topics.
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Practice makes perfect: Candidates should practice and revise before the exam so that it reduces the unnecessary pressure one day before the examination.
Pharm.D Subjects:
The subjects in the Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course followed in most colleges across the nation are listed below.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutics
- Medicinal Biochemistry
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
- Remedial Mathematics/Biology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals
- Pharmacology
- Community Pharmacy
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Formulations
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Biostatistics and Research Methodology
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics
- Clinical Toxicology
- Reseaclinical
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring
- Clerkship
Pharm.D Course Fees:
The course fees for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course is INR 50,000 to INR 2 lakhs per annum. This valuation differs based on the prestige, infrastructure and faculty of the institution or college or university of admission of the aspirant as well as government and management quotas.
Pharm.D Course Syllabus:
The course syllabus pursued according to the curriculum in the Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course is tabulated below.
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year I | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Human Anatomy & Physiology |
| 2 | Pharmaceutics |
| 3 | Medicinal Biochemistry |
| 4 | Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry |
| 5 | Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry |
| 6 | Remedial Mathematics/ Biology |
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year II | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Pathophysiology |
| 2 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
| 3 | Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals |
| 4 | Pharmacology-I |
| 5 | Community Pharmacy |
| 6 | Pharmacotherapeutics-I |
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year III | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Pharmacology-II |
| 2 | Pharmaceutical Analysis |
| 3 | Pharmacotherapeutics-II |
| 4 | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence |
| 5 | Medicinal Chemistry |
| 6 | Pharmaceutical Formulations |
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year IV | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Pharmacotherapeutics-III |
| 2 | Hospital Pharmacy |
| 3 | Clinical Pharmacy |
| 4 | Biostatistics & Research Methodology |
| 5 | Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics |
| 6 | Clinical Toxicology |
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year V | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Reseaclinical |
| 2 | Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics |
| 3 | Clinical Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring |
| 4 | Clerkship |
| 5 | Project Work (Six months) |
| Pharm.D Course Syllabus - Year VI | |
| Sl.No. | Subjects |
| 1 | Internship or residency training including postings in speciality units |
| 2 | Students should independently provide the clinical pharmacy services to the allotted wards |
| 3 | Six months in General Medicine department and Two months each in three other speciality departments |
Pharm.D Course Eligibility:
![Eligibility Criteria for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]:](https://www.getmyuni.com/assets/images/course_description/3dde4715722882643fe530a7f7354305.jpg)
The Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course eligibility mandates the candidate to have qualified in their 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects and any one of the following subjects: Mathematics or Biology with 60%. A minimum aggregate score of 55% should be maintained at both 10th and 12th from a recognised board to be eligible for applying. A pass in any pharmacy course from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under Section 12 of the Pharmacy Act. The aspirant should have completed the age of 17 years on or before 31st December of the year of admission to the Pharm.D course.
Pharm.D Course Admission:
![Admission Procedure for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D]:](https://www.getmyuni.com/assets/images/course_description/5080ec9aa3654890f8737cb9c6d34ef5.jpg)
The Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course admission procedure may vary from institute to institute. Most of the colleges admit students based on marks scored in GPAT. Following this, they have to undergo counselling and personal interview. Some of the colleges select students based on merit i.e., the marks obtained in one's bachelor's degree in the same field for the Pharm.D course. Colleges also conduct their entrance exams for granting Pharm.D course admissions.
Pharm.D Job Opportunities:
Graduates of Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course enjoy a broad spectrum of lucrative job opportunities in a variety of sectors such as:
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Hospital Pharmacy Director
- Hospital Staff Pharmacist
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacist in Charge
- Retail Pharmacist
- Retail Staff Pharmacist
- Drug Experts
- Drug Interaction Specialists
- Nutritionists
- Medical Writer
- Drug Writer
- Lecturer
- Drug Advisor
- Pharmaceutical Advisor
Pharm.D Course Salary:
The average annual course salary of a graduate of Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course is INR 3.5 lakhs per annum. This amount varies based on the firm and sector of employment as well as the dedication, diligence and seniority of the graduate in the workplace.
List of Pharm.D Colleges:
The top colleges for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course in India are tabulated below:
| Sl. No. | Institution Name |
| 1 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore |
| 2 | Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai |
| 3 | SRM University Kattankulathur Campus, Kanchipuram |
| 4 | Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore |
| 5 | Jaipur National University, Jaipur |
| 6 | VELS University, Chennai |
| 7 | Smt. Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy, Mahbubnagar |
| 8 | Andhra University, [AU] Vishakhapatnam |
| 9 | Chaitanya Degree & PG College, [CDPGC] Warangal |
| 10 | MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, [MSRUAS] Bangalore |
Distance Pharm.D:
A distance learning or correspondence course for Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] course in India is offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU].
Pharm. D Course FAQs:
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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.
Other Related Courses in India:
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]
All Over India
Karnataka
Kerala
Tamil Nadu
Telangana
Doctorate of Pharmacy [Pharm.D] Reviews
Pharm.D, batch of 2023
I didn't give any entrance exam as I got admission for having a good percentage in my 12th class i.e 82%. So I got selected as a management student.
ANKAN
Pharm.D, batch of 2018
Minimum 50% marks in H.S examination to get admission through management quota for other state students. Yes, there is Telangana entrance examination to get a seat. Cutoff depends on the availability of seat.
Pharm.D, batch of 2023
10+2 completed and TS EAMCET or NEET qualified. NEET or TS EAMCET with 10,000 or below state rank.
