Pharmacy Courses: Fees 2023, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning, Online

Pharmacy course forms the foundation of medical science. A perfect combination of science, health care, computer technology, business, math, and consultation, professionals getting training and knowledge in this domain are considered people’s person. The pharmacy course equips a person with the know-how of disseminating the medicines prescribed by the doctor for a particular illness and if required they have the ability to suggest a better medication to alleviate the prevailing ailment. With high prospects of growth in the pharmaceutical industry, currently pursuing pharmacy courses is the right and equally significant to becoming a doctor. A pharmacist is that front-line worker who serves the afflicted masses during outbreaks, epidemics or any sort of disease by putting their life at stake.

What are Pharmacy Courses?

In India, pharmacy education is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), however, the management of institutions offering pharmacy courses and their approval is granted by another highly esteemed educational body, AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education), New Delhi. A pharma degree makes you a qualified graduate thereby imparting and developing a problem-solving and critical thinking approach to desl with diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and unknown pathogens. A financially rewarding career, the field of pharmacy offers promising growth to even start your own establishment. Pharmacists are highly trusted professionals of society because they are imminent to the healthcare industry.

Find out all about the type of courses/programmes, duration, eligibility, entrance exams, and upcoming trends that define the growth of this industry in the future.

Unlock your potential to achieve your goals. Here are complete details about what it takes to become a qualified pharmacist.

Level of Courses

Aspirants who have passed their schooling (12th) with a science stream and are ambitious to have a career in Pharmacy can look into the courses below. Lined courses below are perfect for the learners to get identical learning and achieve professional goals in a systematic manner.

Undergraduate Level Courses in Pharmacy

The undergraduate level courses after class 12 are degree programmes (BPharma) and BPharma (Hons.), diploma courses (DPharma), and Certificate courses available in both online and offline mode.

All the programmes require candidates to have qualified from the science stream with PCB pr PCM in class 12.

At the undergraduate level, candidates will be able to pursue the following courses:

BPharma Popular Specialisations

Here is the list of some common subjects taught in the pharmacy colleges in India. Students interested to pursue pharmacy as their career choice will be able to gain expertise in the following areas:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Pharmaceutics

• Pharmacognosy

• Ayurveda

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry

• BPharma + MBA (Integrated 4+2 year course) 

Postgraduate Level Courses in Pharmacy

Candidates who successfully complete their graduation course (degree or diploma) are eligible to apply for postgraduate programmes. Admission to the Postgraduate pharmacy course is generally granted through an entrance exam conducted at the national, state, or institute level to screen the candidates. Here is a list of programmes that a student can pursue in pharmacy after completing a three or four-year degree/diploma programme:

Specializations offered in MPharma Course

Some popular specializations that students can opt to pursue in MPharma are:

• Biopharmaceutics

• Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokienetics

• Biotechnology

• Clinical Pharmacy

• Cosmecuticals

• Nanotechnology

• Industrial Pharmacy

• Quality Assurance

• Natural Products

• Phamacology & Toxicology

• Drug Development and Regulatory Sciences

Doctoral Level Courses in Pharmacy (Pharm D)

After completing the master’s level course, candidates interested in pursuing research can further their studies with Pharm D (PhD in Pharma). Popular specializations offered by institutes in this area are:

• Biotechnology

• Pharmaceutical Medicine

• Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Pharmaceutics

• Pharmacy practice

• Phytopharmacy and Phytomedicine

• Pharmacology

• Pharmacognosy

Top Entrance Exams in Pharmacy

Here is the list of top pharmacy entrance exams which are conducted at national, state, and institute level to select the deserving candidates:

Upcoming Trends in Pharmacy

The past two years have witnessed one of the most challenging times of this century where a global pandemic had taken a toll on the lives of the masses. However, advancements in the medical science and pharmaceutical industry made it possible to give hope to mankind by developing a vaccine in a record time of one year.

For the next decade, a sound ecosystem is required that supports the pharma professionals to meet challenges if any in the future. Therefore, aspirants vying for a career in  Pharmacy will see a big leap in driving the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, here are some upcoming and anticipated trends in pharmacy that will lead the next generation of aspirants:

Pharma Supply Chain Automation – To ensure a smooth and speedy flow of medication, oxygen supply, and vaccines, automation in the supply chain is the need of the hour.

Artificial Intelligence Integration – AI algorithms in pharmacy will boost research and development, save valuable time and resources, and provide cost-friendly medications to patients in need of treatment.

Predictive Medicine – It focuses on the development of drugs that can prevent illness even before it arises.

Pharma Digitalisation - Digital tools also help companies access classified data on demand without compromising breach of confidentiality. Digitalization also helps governments keep track of vaccination drives, and public healthcare data, and manage national healthcare facilities effectively.

“Beyond the Pill” Healthcare – An increased impetus on Wearables, trackers, and health apps to monitor and improve the overall health of patients on a daily basis. 

Specialized drug production – Newer medications are expected to be launched by the pharmacology industry in upcoming years for patients.

FAQs regarding Pharmacy Course

Q: Are there any pharmacy courses after 12th?

A: Yes, there are several degree, diploma, certification courses such as Bachelor of Pharmacy (Bpharm), BTech Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, BBA in Pharmaceutical Management, Diploma in Pharmacy (Dpharm), Certificate in Pharmaceutical Management offered by some of the best colleges in the country.

Q: Are there any entrance exams for BPharma Programme?

A: Yes, you will have to appear for either national, state and institute level entrance exams to get shortlisted for admission to the BPharma programmes.

Q: Are there any entrance exams for MPharma Programme?

A: Yes, you will have to appear for GPAT, NIPER, or state and institute level entrance exams to get shortlisted for admission to the MPharma programmes.

Q: Which Pharmacy courses can I pursue after completing graduation degree?

After completing graduation, interested candidates can apply for Masters of Pharmacy (Mpharma), MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, and MTech Pharmaceutical Technology programmes to scale heights in their career.

Q: What is the minimum eligibility to apply for BPharma degree courses?

A: A candidate should have completed class 12 with either PCB, or PCM to be eligible for admission to BPharma programmes.

Q: What is the minimum eligibility to apply for MPharma degree courses?

A: A candidate should have completed graduation with a minimum of 45% or 50% (differs for every institute) marks from a recognized college or university to apply for MPharma programmes.

Q: Can I pursue MBA in Pharmacy?

A: A candidate should have completed graduation with minimum 45% or 50% (differs for every institute) marks from a recognized college or university in the relevant discipline to apply for a full-time MBA (Pharmacy) course.

Q: Can I pursue certification courses in pharmacy?

A: Yes, there are several certification courses available for candidates who have completed their class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology.

Q: Can I pursue a pharmacy degree from distance learning?

A: IGNOU provides pharmacy degree from distance learning mode. There are several other colleges that provide pharmacy degrees from distance learning mode in India.

Q: Is there a doctoral degree in pharmacy?

A: Yes, A candidates should have completed Master’s with a minimum of 45% or 50% (differs for every institute) marks from a recognized college or university in relevant discipline to apply for a full-time doctoral degree (PhD in Pharma).

Q: What is the Predictive medicine trend in the pharmaceutical industry?

A: The predictive medicine trend of the pharmaceutical industry thrives to become artificially intelligent to prevent illness even before it arises using medicines.