What is PHARM D? Course details, Job opportunities, Abroad after Pharm D, Higher studies.

 

By, SNEHA MAVIS-MEDODRIX

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) - An Overview

 

The Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree was approved by the Indian government in 2008, with the Pharmacy Council of India functioning as the regulating authority. This course was designed to prepare pharmacists to serve as valuable healthcare team members when it comes to patient care. The Pharm.D. program is a 6-year program in which the initial 5 years are spent studying and the sixth-year interning in a hospital. The Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate) program is a three-year program that includes 2 years of education and 1 year of hospital internship.

 

Pharm.D Highlights

 

Particulars	Details
Course Type	Doctorate
Course Level	UG & PG
Duration	6 years Phase-I (05 Years Study) and Phase-II (01 Year Internship/ Residency)
Annual Fee (in INR)	INR 2.3 lakh - INR 9.6 lakh
Job Profiles	Research Scientist, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Medical Writer, Clinical Pharmacist, etc.
Average Salary	INR 2.30 lakh - INR 10 lakh
Top Recruiters	Lupin, Cipla, Piramal, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Aurobindo Pharma, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Zydus Cadila, etc.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Pharm.D

 

• A minimum of 60% in 10+2 from a recognized board is required.
• For reserved groups like SC/ST/OBC, a mark reduction of up to 5% is taken into account.
• Candidates who finished their D.Pharm course with a 40% cumulative average are also qualified to enroll in the Pharm.D program.
• The preferred science stream includes PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) or PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) as topics.
• Pharm.D. (Post Baccalaureate) Course - A pass in B.Pharm from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India. Students are admitted directly to the IV year of Pharm D. No. of seats- 10

 

No. of seats available for Pharm.D

 

The Pharmacy Council of India may from time to time prescribe the maximum number of seats for the Pharm.D program, which is currently limited to 30 students.

 

How to Select the Best Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) College in India? 

 

India has Pharm D courses offered by both private and government colleges. Admission to the Pharm. D. program entails passing a written entrance exam and a personal interview. Here are a few things to think about before selecting a college for a Pharm. D. program:

• Affiliation with a university
• Pharm D curriculum and syllabus
• The fee of a pharmacy degree
• The Hospital tie-ups
• Campus interview
• Lab Infrastructure

 

Career or Jobs Opportunities

 

PharmD graduates have access to a range of career opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, mainly research and development, quality control, and technology advancements. Listed below are a few of the most popular PharmD career paths:

• Research Scientist
• Regulatory Affairs Manager
• Pharmacovigilance Scientist/Officer
• Quality Assurance Manager
• Medical Writer
• Medical Advisor (Medical Insurance)
• Clinical Pharmacist
• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Manager
• Drug Inspector
• Analytical Chemist
• Drug safety associate
• Teaching B. Pharm / M. Pharm/ Pharm. D

 

Government Agencies in India in which candidates can work:

 

• Pharmacovigilance Centers (IPC)
• Staff Selection Commission
• Railways, Armed Forces, CRPF, Banks etc.
• Government Colleges & Universities
• Sports Authority of India /NADA
• CDSCO/ FDA

 

Abroad after Pharm.D in India

 

In order to practice pharmacy abroad, graduates of Pharm.D might take a number of exams. Following a Pharm.D., some exams that are usually acknowledged abroad include

• Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE): The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) requires this exam for foreign pharmacy graduates who seek to practise pharmacy in the United States.
• North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX): Graduates of Pharm.D.  who want to practice pharmacy in the United States must pass the NAPLEX licensing exam. 
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Examination: Foreign pharmacy graduates who want to practise in Canada must pass the Examination.
• Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Exam: The APC Exam is required for foreign pharmacy graduates who wish to practice pharmacy in Australia.
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Registration Assessment: The GPhC Registration Assessment is required for foreign pharmacy graduates who wish to practice pharmacy in the United Kingdom. 

 

Courses after Pharm.D

 

• Ph.D.
• MBA in Pharmaceutical Management
• MBA in Clinical Management
• Residency Programs (Cardiology, Oncology, Nephrology)
• Master of Science in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Master of Science in Pharmacology
• Master of Science in Public Health
• Various Diploma courses (Pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, clinical research)

 

Check out the PHARM D syllabus in INDIA: CLICK HERE