Ever thought that growing up and choosing a career could be such a challenging decision? No, right! As a child, we think of becoming something but, as soon as adolescence hits, it steadily brings us to the right track. In our country, there are three streams to choose from after lower secondary school. Also, the recommendations from parents, relatives, and friends play a huge role for a student to select one of them. Biology and mathematics are considered to be the most difficult ones. But, somehow if you end up choosing biology, many students think that there are not many career options in it.
When it comes to the medical stream, people often prefer being doctors. But, could you ever imagine the existence of allopathic doctors without pharmaceuticals? We know that all the medical careers are related to each other. Also, eliminating one out of this world would impact the survival of others. Therefore, never consider something inferior to anything. Today, we are going to discuss several aspects of a pharmacy course. Pharmacy is one of the most mainstream courses in the medical fraternity. However, it is not as designated in our country as it should be. There are several courses in pharmacy if you want to pursue after your higher secondary schooling.
The everyday growing healthcare sector demand in our country will open more ways for all the pharmacy students. Also, the pay scale is much better than 50 percent jobs in India. If you have someone to guide you through the way, it will be easier for you to select the types of course. However, people who do not have too much exposure to pharmacy will face challenges in choosing a stream. You are open to several kinds of jobs after completing your higher studies in pharmacy. Whether it is pharmaceuticals, research, pharmacognosy, or other job opportunities, you will have ample of it.
This article is exclusively for people who lack guidance and counseling for the selection of pharmacy courses. We will explain the types of course available, what it demands, and other things related to it. Make sure that you thoroughly read all the points mentioned below to stick to your decision:
Types of Courses Available:
Mostly, the pharmacy course is widely divided into the four most popular course categories. It includes the following:
- Diploma course
- Undergraduate course
- Postgraduate course
- Doctorate
We will discuss each of these separately for your better understanding. So, let us begin!
a) Diploma course
Pharmacy is subdivided into various categories. Allopathic, veterinary, herbal, management, quality assurance, and vigilance are some course options that one can select. The duration of the courses varies from 1 to 3 years, depending upon which type of course you choose. You can either pursue a diploma in UG or PG level. Here is the list of some top preferred diploma courses in pharmacy:
- 2-year programs: D. pharm, pharmaceutical management, veterinary, PGDM in analytical and technical chemistry.
- 1 to 3 years programs: These are mostly postgraduate programs. It includes PGDM in herbal products, pharmaceutical chemistry, clinical pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, quality assurance, and pharmacological regulatory affairs.
b) Undergraduate pharmacy course
The undergraduate course degrees in pharmacy hold more importance in contrast to the diploma courses. After finishing these courses, your pay scale and job opportunities will be higher than that of diploma students. Also, the course duration is usually 4-5 years, depending upon the kind of course you wish to pursue. Here are the details of some UG pharmacy courses in India:
i) Single degree: It consists of a single degree only. You can do any one of these courses. However, if you want to enjoy the knowledge of two different courses in one, proceed to the next point. Here is the list of one course UG degree in pharmacy:
- Bachelor of pharmacy
- Bachelor of pharmacy (honors)
- Bachelor of pharmaceutics pharmacy
- Bachelor of pharmaceutical chemistry
- Bachelor of ayurvedic pharmacy
- Bachelor of pharmacognosy
- Bachelor of pharmacology
These courses will teach you the basics of pharmacy. All of them are four-year courses.
ii) Dual degree: The dual degree will give you more exposure to the medicinal and business side of pharmacy. It will develop your overall skills, and you will find it easier to expand your business if you use your skills in the right direction. It is a five-year course. The dual degree course refers to two different courses in one.
- Bachelor of pharmacy and master of business administration
c) Postgraduate pharmacy courses
Just like any other undergraduate program is followed by a postgraduate course; similarly, pharmacy also includes PG pharmacy courses. However, the choice is yours. If you want to have a detailed understanding of everything that has been taught to you in ug courses, make sure to complete the pg as well. Most of the students prefer to go for a postgraduate course in pharmacy these days as it will open the door of several opportunities for you in the future.
The postgraduate pharmacy courses are mostly of two years. However, not all pharmacy colleges have it. Most of the reputed colleges include this course. Make sure to select a decent college for your betterment. Here is the list of all the course that come under PG in pharmacy:
- Master of pharmacy
- Master of pharmacy in clinical pharmacy
- Master of pharmacy in biopharmaceutics
- Master of pharmacy in biotechnology
- Master of pharmacy in pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics
- Master of pharmacy in cosmeceuticals
- Master of pharmacy in clinical practice and research
- Master of pharmacy in industrial pharmacy
- Master of pharmacy in drug discovery and development
- Master of pharmacy in drug development and regulatory science.
- Master of pharmacy in drug regulatory affairs
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical market and management
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical analysis
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical analysis and quality assurance
- Master of pharmacy in nanotechnology
- Master of pharmacy in medicinal natural products
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical chemistry
- Master of pharmacy in medicinal chemistry
- Master of pharmacy in biotechnology
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical technology
- Master of pharmacy in pharmacognosy and phytomedicine
- Master of pharmacy in pharmacology and toxicology
- Master of pharmacy in pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
- Master of pharmacy in pharmacology
- Master of pharmacy in pharmaceutical practice
- Master of Science in pharmacology
- Master of pharmacy in natural products and phytochemistry
- Master of pharmacy in quality assurance
These are all of the courses available for the conduction of PG courses in India. However, the scope of some of these courses are not too developed in our country. For a secure future after completion of postgraduate courses, we recommend going for mainstream courses. However, if you want to move abroad for further higher studies, select the one of your preference.
d) Doctorate courses in pharmacy
The doctoral degree in pharmacy grants you the permission to join the superior research, judicial, clinical, industrial, and manufacturing fields in our country. It is regarded as one of the highest degrees in pharmacy. Once you complete it, the chances of getting job opportunities locally, domestically, and internationally increase many folds. Therefore, if you have time, money, and talent, we suggest you to get into the doctoral degrees. These degrees are of 3-year duration. You can readily enjoy your life lavishly after investing the three years of your youthful ages in here. The following are the list of doctoral course in pharmacy:
i) Pharm. D. courses:
- Doctor of pharmacy
- Post-baccalaureate doctor of pharmacy
ii) Ph.D. Courses:
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical medicine
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical chemistry
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical biotechnology
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutics
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmacognosy
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmacy practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in pharmacology
- Doctor of philosophy in pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
- Doctor of philosophy in quality assurance
- Doctor of philosophy in Phyto pharmacy and phytomedicine
Who all are eligible for these courses?
- a) For UG courses:
The foremost demand is qualifying higher secondary school/diploma in PCB stream with an aggregate of 50 percent or more.
Secondly, you must qualify for exams like TSEAMCET, WBJEE, or APEAMCET for entry into ug pharmacy courses.
- b) For PG courses:
For getting entry into PG courses, you should quality your UG with 50 percent or more from a recognized pharmacy college.
Secondly, you must clear/ apply for GPAT exam.
What is the pay scale?
You can get into various sectors, such as research, clinical practice, business, management, trade, and judicial handling. The pay scale depends on two primary things- your qualification and the sector in which you want to work. The usual pay scale for a pharmacy pass out ranges from 2 to 12 lacks per annum.
Conclusion:
We hope that it will be helpful for you to decide your favorite stream. Be wise and all the best!
Pharmacy Courses In India FAQ
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What are the different types of pharmacy courses available in India?
- In India, pharmacy courses are available at various levels including Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm), and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D).
- What is the eligibility criteria for pharmacy courses?
- The eligibility criteria vary depending on the course and the institution. Generally, for a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy (B.Pharm), candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics as compulsory subjects. For postgraduate courses like M.Pharm, a B.Pharm degree is required. Pharm.D programs usually require 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics, followed by a B.Pharm degree.
- What is the duration of pharmacy courses in India?
- The duration of pharmacy courses varies. D.Pharm is typically a 2-year course, B.Pharm is 4 years, M.Pharm is 2 years, and Pharm.D is a 6-year program.
- What is the career scope after completing a pharmacy course?
- Pharmacy graduates can work in various sectors including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research institutions, regulatory bodies, academia, community pharmacies, and more. They can work as pharmacists, drug inspectors, clinical research associates, regulatory affairs managers, etc.
- Are pharmacy courses regulated in India?
- Yes, pharmacy education in India is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), a statutory body constituted under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. PCI is responsible for regulating the pharmacy profession and education in the country.
- Are there any entrance exams for pharmacy courses?
- Some institutions conduct their entrance exams for pharmacy courses, while others may admit students based on national or state-level entrance exams like GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) for M.Pharm and Pharm.D courses.
- What is the difference between B.Pharm and Pharm.D?
- B.Pharm is an undergraduate degree focused on the study of pharmaceutical science and prepares students for careers as pharmacists. Pharm.D is a professional doctoral degree focused on clinical pharmacy practice, patient care, and healthcare management.
- Can pharmacy graduates pursue higher education abroad?
- Yes, pharmacy graduates from India can pursue higher education abroad in fields like pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, etc., by fulfilling the admission requirements of respective institutions.
- Are there any scholarship opportunities available for pharmacy students in India?
- Yes, various government and private organizations offer scholarships to meritorious and deserving pharmacy students. These scholarships may be based on academic performance, financial need, or specific criteria set by the scholarship provider.
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What is the accreditation status of pharmacy colleges in India?
- Pharmacy colleges in India are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) or the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Accreditation ensures that the institution meets the quality standards set by the accrediting agencies.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
