How to Take Up a Pharmacy Course and Advance Your Pharmacy Career in 2024
Pharmacy is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that offers a rewarding career path for individuals passionate about healthcare and science. Pharmacists are crucial in ensuring patient safety and optimizing medication therapy, making them integral members of the healthcare team. Their roles involve designing and developing new treatments, prescriptions, and care management. Read our guide about studying pharmacy, different types of pharmacy courses, course requirements, career paths, etc.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals suggests that India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally. The Indian pharmaceutical industry covers more than half of the worldwide demand for vaccines – Covering almost 40% of demand in the US and 25% of all medicine in the UK. Globally, India ranks 3rd in terms of pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian pharma companies maintained their price competitiveness and good quality. India has successfully provided 60% of the world’s vaccines and 20% of generic medicines. With such extensive growth in this field, the demand for well-trained professional pharmacists is expected to remain high. In 2021, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) increased the number of diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate pharmaceutical programs offered nationwide. This article explores different levels of pharmacy course that can help you start a career in pharmaceuticals.
Content
- What is Pharmacy?
- Pharmacy Course Eligibility
- Top Online Pharmacy Courses
- Top Online Vendors for Pharmacy Courses
- Types of Pharmacy Courses
- Diploma in Pharmacy
- Bachelor in Pharmacy
- Master of Pharmacy
- PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Course Syllabus
- Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
- Career Prospects in Pharmacy
- Top Recruiters for Pharma Professionals
- Salaries for Pharma Professionals
What is Pharmacy?
Pharmacy is the science that studies everything related to the preparation, preservation, promotion, and dispensing of medicines. The term pharmacy is derived from the Greek “pharmakia” or “pharmakon”, a word that indicates drugs and poison in ancient Greek.
The pharmacy has been around for centuries, dating back to the 2nd century when it was known as the Galenic pharmacy. Pharmacy is named after Claudius Galen, a Greek doctor. His studies were the starting point of European medicine, especially in the field of anatomy and physiology.
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Pharmacy Course Eligibility
Below are the eligibility criteria for different types of pharmacy courses –
Diploma in Pharmacy: The applicants should complete 10+2 with science i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and/or Mathematics (PCB/PCM)
Bachelor in Pharmacy: The applicants should complete 10+2 with science i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and/or Mathematics (PCB/PCM)
Master of Pharmacy: The applicants must have completed their graduate degree (B. Pharm.) in the pharmaceutical field, from a recognized university/college with a minimum aggregate score of 60% at the graduate level.
PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy: The applicants must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and/or Mathematics (PCB/PCM). Candidates with a diploma in pharmacy can also apply for are also eligible for a PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy course.
Note – The cut-off percentage of marks differs as per the University/College/Institute.
Top Online Pharmacy Courses
Online courses in Pharmacy are usually short-term and offer a good way to upskill yourself. Here are some popular pharmaceuticals courses available online.
| Course Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research & Pharmacovigilance by ICRI (Duration -10 Months) | Gives a broader understanding of the basic principles of clinical research and pharmacovigilance. |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences, MS – Cannabis Science and Medicine by University of Colorado (Duration – 2 Years) | The course covers the core concepts in basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences and explains the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis. |
| Drug Development on Coursera (Duration – 3 Weeks) | In this course, you will learn the different phases of clinical development and their regulations. |
| Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Innovations (Duration – 4 Weeks) | This course offers an in-depth view of intellectual property creation in pharma, an understanding of the strategy deployed for pricing drugs and new technologies, and also teaches how to make future research and development investments. |
| Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma on Udemy (Duration – 1.5 Hours ) | In this course, you will learn how blockchain can revolutionize pharma, food, and healthcare industries, and also explores its future prospects in these multi-billion industries |
Top Online Vendors for Pharmacy Courses
Coursera – Coursera lists around 60 online Pharmacy courses from the top universities globally, including the University of Manchester, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of California San Diego, the University of Minnesota, and Arizona State University. It offers more than 180 pharmacy courses online. These courses cover topics like the Design of Experiments, how to Design, Develop and Improve Products and Processes, intellectual property creation, drug discovery, drug development and drug commercialization, etc.
Udemy – Udemy offers more than 180 pharmacy courses online. You will learn about the pharma industry, Pharma Product Design, Technology & Commercial Manufacturing, current market trends, medicines, healthcare, pharmacy markets, and other major developments.
Types of Pharmacy Course
Pharmacy courses are majorly segregated into diploma courses, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and doctoral programs. Let us take a look at the major pharma courses.
Diploma in Pharmacy
A diploma in Pharmacy or DPharma is a two-year course. These courses are perfect for candidates willing to make a quick start in a pharmacy career. This course can be used as a stepping stone to understanding the principles of pharma and then progressing to further courses such as B. Pharm, M. Pharm, and PharmD.
| Types of Diploma in Pharmacy courses | Diploma In Pharmacy (2 Years) Diploma In Ayurvedic Pharmacy (2 Years) Diploma In Veterinary Pharmacy (2 Years) Diploma In Pharmaceutical Management (2 Years) PGDM in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance (1 -3 Years) PGDM in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs (1 -3 Years) PGDM in Pharmacovigilance (1 -3 Years) PGDM in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (1 -3 Years) PGDM in Clinical Pharmacology (1 -3 Years) PGDM in Pharmaceutical Management (2 Years) |
| Average Course Fees for Diploma in Pharmacy course | INR 10,000 – 100,000 Per annum |
| Mode of Study | Regular, Distance Learning, Online Learning |
| Average Salaries for Diploma in Pharmacy course | INR 200,000 – 500,000 Per annum |
| Popular Job Profiles after Diploma in Pharmacy | Medical Transcriptor Technical Supervisor Chemist/Pharmacist Quality Analyst Medical Representative Product Executive Junior Scientific officers |
Top Courses After Diploma in Pharmacy
- B.Pharma
- M.Pharma
- MBA in Pharmaceuticals Management
- Doctor of Pharmacy
Bachelor in Pharmacy
The B. Pharm degree trains professionals in the field of health with the knowledge, skills, and ethical, scientific-humanistic attitudes. The students learn about the development, modification, production, evaluation, and regulation of medicines and cosmetics.
Furthermore, the B.Pharma courses prepare them to choose, utilize, and administer pharmaceuticals in a reasonable manner in order to integrate interdisciplinary health teams focused on disease prevention, control, and treatment. The courses also cover therapy monitoring, optimizing resources, and ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical goods and services.
| Types of B. Pharma Courses | Bachelor of Pharmacy Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) Bachelor of Pharmacy in Ayurveda Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutics Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmacognosy Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmacology |
| Average Course Fees for B. Pharma Courses | INR 40,000 – 100,000 per annum |
| Entrance Exams | GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) JEE NMIMS NPAT Manipal Entrance Test for Pharmacy (MET Pharmacy) Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET) Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET) Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Pharmacy (OJEE pharm) |
| Average Salaries after B. Pharma Courses | ₹ 0.9 Lakh to ₹ 4.0 Lakh |
| Popular Job Profiles after B. Pharma Courses | Hospital Pharmacist Medical Transcriptionist Medical Representative Clinical Research Associate College Professor Drug Therapist Pharmaceutical Scientist Quality Control Associate Drug Technician |
Top Pharmacy Courses after Graduation
- Master of Pharmacy
- MBA In Pharmaceutical Management
- Master of Cosmetic Technology (MCT)
- Postgraduate Diploma In Public Health
- PGDM in Clinical Research
- Postgraduate Diploma In Pharmacovigilance
- PGDM in In Medical Coding
- MBA in Healthcare Management
- Doctor of Pharmacy
Master of Pharmacy
M.Pharm is a two-year postgraduate program in pharmacy. During the course, students develop in-depth knowledge of drugs, their formulations, dosage, and side effects.
B.Pharma and other science graduates with PCM/PCB at 10+2 levels can apply for the program. Admissions are based on minimum marks criteria and/or entrance exams.
| Types of M. Pharma Courses | M.Pharm. in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) M. Pharm in Pharmaceutical Technology) M. Pharm in Pharmaceutics) M. Pharm in Industrial Pharmacy) M Pharm in Medicinal Chemistry M Pharm in Regulatory Affairs M Pharm in Biotechnology M.Pharm. (Pharmaceutics) + MBA (Pharma Tech & Healthcare Management) M.Pharm. (Industrial Pharmacy) + MBA (Pharma Tech & Healthcare Management) M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) + MBA (Pharma Tech & Healthcare Management) M.Pharm. (Pharmaceutical Technology) + MBA (Pharma Tech & Healthcare Management) |
| Average Course Fees for M. Pharma Courses | INR 40,000 – 600,000 per annum (Depending on specialization) |
| M. Pharma Entrance Exams | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) JEE U.P State Entrance Examination M.Pharm NMIMS NPAT Manipal Entrance Test for Pharmacy (MET Pharmacy) Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET) Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET) Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Pharmacy (OJEE pharm) |
| Average Salaries after M. Pharma Courses | ₹ 1.3 Lakh to ₹ 5.2 Lakh |
| Popular Job Profiles after M. Pharma Courses | Pharmaceutical Production Manager Quality Control Manager Clinical Research Scientist Pharmacologist Research scientist Professor Intellectual property (IP) Analyst Pharmacist Health Care Unit Manager Drug Inspector Analytical Chemist Academic Researcher Analytical Chemist Biomedical Scientist Registration and Regulatory Affairs Head Marketing Head |
| Higher Education after M. Pharma Courses | Ph.D. in Pharmacy, MBA or PGDM, LLB |
Top Pharmacy Courses after Postgraduation
- Ph.D. in Pharmacy
- MBA or PGDM in Pharmaceutical Management/Clinical Research/Pharmacovigilance/Healthcare Management, etc.
- LLB
PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy
PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional degree in pharmacy. The curriculum lasts six years, with five years of intensive coursework and one year of internship to understand the practical components. PharmD is the only doctoral degree that can be taken up after completing 10+2. BPharm graduates can also take up PharmD through lateral entry (Post Baccalaureate).
| Doctor of Pharmacy Specializations | Pharm.D (Pre Baccalaureate) Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate) Pharm.D Specializations – Pharmaceutical Technology Pharmaceutical R&D Medicinal Chemistry Industrial Pharmacies |
| Average Course Fees for PharmD course | INR 6,00,000 – 20,00,000 |
| PharmD Entrance Exams | UP CPMT SRM JEE NIPER JEE Bharti Vidyapeeth CET VELS Entrance test Maharashtra CET |
| Average Salaries for PharmD course | ₹ 1.0 Lakh to ₹ 3.5 Lakh |
| Popular Job Profiles after PharmD | Clinical Pharmacist Medical Research Scientist Pharmaceutical Director Medical Writer Pharmaceutical Advisor Quality Analyst Medical Safety Physician Pharmaceutical Supply Logistics Manager Drug Safety Associate |
Pharmacy Course Syllabus
Here is the syllabus for pharmacy courses –
D Pharma Syllabus
- Pharmaceutics – Theory
- Pharmaceutics – Practical
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Theory
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Practical
- Pharmacognosy – Theory
- Pharmacognosy – Practical
- Human Anatomy & Physiology – Theory
- Human Anatomy & Physiology – Practical
- Social Pharmacy – Theory
- Social Pharmacy – Practical
B Pharma Syllabus
| Semester | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Semester I | Pharmaceutical Analysis-I Remedial Mathematics Biology Pharmacognosy-I Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I (Inorganic Pharmaceutical Chemistry) Basic Electronics & Computer Applications |
| Semester II | Pharmaceutics -I (Physical Pharmacy) Advanced Mathematics Pharmaceutical Chemistry -II (Physical Chemistry) Pharmaceutical Chemistry-III (Organic Chemistry-I) Anatomy, Physiology & Health Education (APHE) -I |
| Semester III | Pharmaceutics -II (Unit Operations _ I, including Engg Drawing) Pharmaceutical Chemistry-IV (Organic Chemistry – II) Pharmacognosy -II Pharmaceutical Analysis – II A P HE-II |
| Semester IV | Pharmaceutics – III (Unit Operations – II) Pharmaceutical Microbiology Pharmacognosy – III Pathophysiology of Common Diseases Pharmaceutics -N (Dispensing & Community Pharmacy) |
| Semester V | Pharmaceutical Chemistry – V (Biochemistry)’ Pharmaceutics – V (Pharmaceutical Technology I) Pharmacology – I Pharmacognosy -N Pharmaceutics -VI (Hospital pharmacy) |
| Semester VI | Pharmaceutical Chemistry – VI (Medicinal Chemistry -I) Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence & Ethics Pharmaceutics -VII (Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics) Pharmacology -II Pharmacognosy – V (Chemistry of Natural Products) |
| Semester VII | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmaceutics – VIII (Pharmaceutical Technology – II) Pharmaceutical IndustrialManagement Pharmacology -III Pharmaceutical Chemistry _ VII (Medicinal Chemistry – II) Elective (Theory) |
| Semester VIII | Pharmaceutics – IX Pharmaceutical Analysis – III Pharmaceutical Chemistry – VIII (Medicinal Chemistry – III) Pharmacognosy – VI Pharmacology – IV (Clinical Pharmacy & Drug Interactions) Projects |
M.Pharma Syllabus
| Semester | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Semester I | Clinical Pharmacy Practice Pharmacotherapeutics Hospital & Community Pharmacy Clinical Research Pharmacy Practice Practical I Seminar/Assignment |
| Semester II | Principles of Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacotherapeutics II Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics Pharmacy Practice Practical II Seminar/Assignment |
| Semester III | Research Methodology and Biostatistics Journal Club Discussion / Presentation Research Work |
| Semester IV | Journal Club Research Work Discussion/Final Presentation |
PharmaD Syllabus
| Year | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| First Year | Human Anatomy and Physiology Pharmaceutics Medicinal Biochemistry Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry Remedial Mathematics/ Biology |
| Second Year | Pathophysiology Pharmaceutical Microbiology Pharmacognosy & Phytopharmaceuticals Pharmacology-I Community Pharmacy Pharmacotherapeutics-I |
| Third Year | Pharmacology-II Pharmaceutical Analysis Pharmacotherapeutics-II Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence- Medicinal Chemistry Pharmaceutical Formulations |
| Fourth Year | Pharmacotherapeutics-III Hospital Pharmacy Clinical Pharmacy Biostatistics & Research Methodology Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Clinical Toxicology |
| Fifth Year | Clinical Research Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Clinical Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring Clerkship (Attending ward rounds on daily basis) Project work (Six Months) |
| Sixth Year | Internship or residency training including postings in specialty units. Students should independently provide clinical pharmacy services to the allotted wards. (i) Six months in the General Medicine department, and (ii) Two months each in three other specialty departments |
Resource – AICTE and PCI (Pharmacy Council of India)
Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), the Ministry of Education below is the India Rankings 2022 –
| Rank | College Name | Average Annual Fees (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi | Rs. 2,50,000 |
| 2 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Hyderabad, Hyderabad | Rs. 1,42,000 |
| 3 | Panjab University, Chandigarh | Rs. 16,575 |
| 4 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali | Rs. 90,500 |
| 5 | Birla Institute of Technology & Science – Pilani | Rs. 5,00,000 |
| 6 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty | Rs. 57,500 – 2.85 Lakh |
| 7 | Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | Rs. 85,350 |
| 8 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore | Rs. 55,400 – 2.85 Lakh |
| 9 | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal, Udupi | Rs. 3,35500 |
| 10 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar | Rs. 1,30850 |
Career Prospects in Pharmacy
To meet the increased demands of pharma products like medicines, vaccines, and other prescription drugs, the pharmaceutical industry requires skilled professionals. Pharma graduates work mainly in the healthcare industry. Their roles relate to the design and development of new treatments, prescription, and care management,
Top Recruiters for Pharma Professionals
Some top pharma recruiters are –
1. Sage Therapeutics – Sage Therapeutics is a biopharma company that specializes in developing novel therapies for disorders of the brain.
2. Genentech – Genentech, Inc., is an American biotechnology corporation engaged in discovering and developing medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases.
3. Pfizer – Pfizer is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation that develops medicines and vaccines for immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology.
4. Roche Pharmaceuticals – Roche Pharmaceuticals is a Swiss multinational healthcare company. It is the largest pharmaceutical company globally and a leading provider of cancer treatments.
5. Janssen Pharmaceuticals – Janssen Pharmaceuticals is the pharmaceutical segment of Johnson & Johnson. The company develops medicines and vaccines for a range of human medical disorders, including mental illness, neurological disorders, anesthesia and analgesia, gastrointestinal disorders, fungal infection, HIV/AIDS, allergies, and cancer.
Other Recruiters
6. Novartis
7. Merck & Co.
8. Novo Nordisk
9. AstraZeneca
10. Boehringer Ingelheim
11. Bayer
12. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
13. Amgen
14. Eli Lilly and Company
15. Biogen
Salaries for Pharma Professionals
| Position | Number of Jobs on Naukri | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | 13937 | ₹ 3 Lakh |
| Clinical Data Manager | 13894 | ₹ 5 Lakh |
| Drug Manufacturer/Production Manager | 3776 | ₹ 3.2 Lakh |
| Pharma Research Scientist | 18959 | ₹ 6.8 Lakh |
| Pharmacy Manager | 14521 | ₹ 4.6 Lakh |
| Biotechnology Consultant | 28273 | ₹11.1 Lakh |
| Biostatistician | 3784 | ₹ 4.5 Lakh |
| Pharmacovigilance scientist | 13786 | ₹ 9.9 Lakh |
| Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Manager | 14334 | ₹ 11.9 Lakh |
| Pharmaceutical Professor | 17310 | ₹ 3 Lakh |
FAQs
What is a pharmacy course?
Pharmacy is the clinical health science that connects medical science with chemistry. A pharmacy course prepares students for careers in pharmaceuticals, medications, cosmetics, control, manufacturing, and food analysis, as well as clinical and toxicological testing. There are various pharmacy courses, including - B.Pharm, M.Pham, PharmD, DPharm, MBA in Pharmaceutical management, PGDM IN Pharmaceutical management, etc.
Which pharmacy course is best?
Bachelor of Pharmacy or B. Pharm is among the most popular pharmacy courses. It is an undergraduate course that leads to a variety of jobs such as Pharma sales rep, Drug Inspector, Drug Coordinator, Clinical Data analyst, Pharmacy Manager, Pharmaceutical OA manager, etc.
How many years d pharmacy course?
Diploma in Pharmacy or D. Pharma is a two-year academic program. The course can be taken up after 10+2 in PCM/PCB. It covers the concepts of pharmaceuticals, formulation of pharmacy, best practices of medicines management, etc.
Is pharmacy a paramedical course?
Pharmacy is neither a medical nor a paramedical course. It is a professional technical course, and the cour content is approved by AICTE and the Pharmacy Council of India.
Which course is best after B.Pharm,?
After B.Pharm, you can consider taking up courses like - Master of Pharmacy MBA In Pharmaceutical Management Master of Cosmetic Technology MBA in Healthcare Management PGDM In Public Health PGDM In Clinical Research PGDM In Pharmacovigilance PGDM In Medical Coding Doctor of Pharmacy (post-bacculaureate), etc.
How many years of b pharmacy course?
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) is a four-year undergraduate program. It is available to students who have completed their 10+2 with PCM/PCB.
Is pharmacy a good course?
Yes, pharmacy is a good career option, given its massive growth in the past few years. According to IBEF, the Indian pharmaceutical market marked a growth of 17.7% annually in August 2021, up from 13.7% in July 2020. The market is always ripe with the demand for skilled pharma professionals, and the demand is here to stay.
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