Updated on Jul 22, 2022 04:25 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content

Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD is a promising career that beyond a professional degree offers an edge to excel in the domain of health sciences. A PharmD professional contributes to society at large and is recognised for researching and developing effective drugs for people ailing with known and unknown pathogens. They are an indispensable part of the healthcare system that works 24x7 to ensure that patients do not run out of medical assistance and necessities. With meaningful research and breakthroughs, a PharmD specialist fuels economic growth by enabling the nation to expand its reach in international geographies too.

What is PharmD?

Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD is a professional degree offered at the doctorate level in the domain of pharmacy. The course duration of PharmD ranges from five to six years for different universities. Students who complete their Master’s in the domain of pharmacy are eligible to apply for the PharmD course. The PharmD degree is recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the colleges are approved by AICTE.

B Pharma graduates can seek admission in the fourth year of the Pharm D programme as a lateral entry. It will be a three-year course (Pharm D Post Baccalaureate), which includes two years of studies and one year of internship or residency.

In this article, candidates will get complete details about the PharmD specialisation. Read on to find out all about the type of PharmD courses, specialisations, top entrance exams and much more.

PharmD Type of Courses

Here are the types of PharmD courses offered by various institutes and universities in India:

PharmD Regular (Full-Time) Programmes

There are approx. 364 institutes/universities in India offer PharmD courses in full-time mode. Candidates are required to appear for the entrance exam and other selection rounds to seek admission to AICTE-approved colleges. This mode of education is widely accepted by pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and private players for specialised jobs in the domain of pharmacy.

The key highlights of type of course are:

Particulars

Details

Duration

Five to Six years

Eligibility

Master’s with minimum 50% marks with science stream

Admission process

Merit-based and Entrance Based

Fees

3 Lakh to 20 Lakh

Pedagogy

Semester-wise

Online Mode

The online mode of education enables the candidates to pursue classes within the vicinity of their homes. A candidate need high-speed internet, laptop/desktop/mobile to attend the online classes conducted by the instructor.

Particulars

Details

Duration

1 hour to 3 months

Eligibility

Master’s with minimum 50% marks with science stream

Admission process

Merit-based and Entrance Based

Fees

10,000 to 2 Lakh

Pedagogy

On-demand Videos

Distance Learning

PharmD cannot be done through distance learning mode. It is a regular degree for which a candidate has to enroll with a full-time institute. 

PharmD Specialisations

Popular specialisations offered by colleges to the PharmD candidates are:

  1. Industrial Pharmacy

  2. Pharmaceutical R&D

  3. Pharmaceutical Technology

  4. Health informatics

  5. Biostatistics

  6. Bioinformatics

  7. Pharmacology

  8. Pharmacognosy

  9. Therapeutics

  10. Pharmacoeconomics

  11. Pharma healthcare management

Top Entrance Exams for PharmD

Some of the top entrance exams whose scores are accepted by top medical colleges in India are:

Entrance Exam

Conducting Body

GPAT

NTA

NIPER JEE

NIPER

West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE-Pharmacy)

West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board

Maharashtra Common Entrance Test – Pharmacy (MHT CET)

Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra

GUJCET (Gujarat Common Entrance Test)

Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB)

Jamia Hamdard Pharmacy

Jamia Hamdard University (A Deemed to be University), New Delhi

BVP CET

Bharati Vidyapeeth University

Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE-Pharmacy)

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Uttar Pradesh

Top Colleges offering PharmD courses

As per the Shiksha ratings and NIRF 2022 rankings released by MOE, GOI, here is the list of top 10 Pharmacy colleges offering PharmD course in India:

1. Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Pune

2. Integral University, Lucknow, UP

3. Jamia Salafiya Pharmacy College, Mallapuram

4. Sri Aurobindo Institute of Pharmacy, Indore

5. Sarojini Naidu Vanita Pharmacy Maha Vidyalaya, Secunderabad

Job Prospects after pursuing PharmD

After completing PhD in Pharmacy, there are several job prospects to pursue. Some of them are enlisted as under:

  1. Registered Pharmacist

  2. Pharmacovigilance officer

  3. Medical Writer

  4. Product Managers at hospitals

  5. Community Pharmacist

  6. Clinical Pharmacist

  7. Hospital Pharmacy Director

  8. Researcher with R&D Department

  9. Drug Regulatory Officer

Upcoming Trends in PharmD Course

The future of the field of pharmacy is quite bright in terms of the technological advancement and research going on to boost the sector at a global level. Here are some next-gen developments focusing on identifying and mitigating adverse drug effects:

  • Telemedicine - Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology. The approach has been through a striking evolution in the last decade and it is becoming an increasingly important

  • Pharmacokinetics – this branch of pharmacy enables the practitioners to understand how drugs behave in the body and how the body reacts to drugs

  • Pharmacogenomics – It is a more accurate method of determining appropriate drug dosages. It is a step towards Advanced screening for disease by providing powerful medicines

  • Beyond the Pill Healthcare – This industry focuses on inventing wearables, trackers, and health apps approaches to monitor and improve the overall health of patients on a daily basis.

FAQs Regarding PharmD Course

Q: What is PharmD all about?

A: PharmD is a doctoral-level degree program in the domain of Pharmacy offered by several institutes in India and abroad. 

Q: What is the duration of PharmD courses?

A: PharmD regular degree course is generally offered for the duration of five to six years.

Q: What is the fee structure of PharmD courses?

A: The course fee of PharmD degree can range from INR 3,00,000 to INR 20,00,000.

Q: What are some of the top colleges offering PharmD courses?

A: Some of the top colleges offering PharmD courses in India are Jamia Hamdard, Integral University (Lucknow), MNR College of Pharmacy (Telengana) among others.

Q: Can I pursue PharmD from distance learning? 

A: No, PharmD cannot be pursued through distance learning mode. 

Q: What are the top entrance exams to seek admission to PharmD courses?

A: Some of the popular entrance exams to enrol for PharmD degree are GPAT, NIPER, WBJEE among other entrances.

Q: What are some of the popular PharmD course specializations?

A: PharmD course specializations are pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, phamacology etc.

Q: What is the basic eligibility criteria to pursue PharmD courses?

A: A candidate must have pursued Class 12 and graduation to pursue PharmD degree.

Q: Is it possible to get a job after completing PharmD?

A: Yes, there are various job prospects after completing PharmD in the domain of Medicine such as drug regulator officer, Pharmacovigilance officer, drug researcher.

 

Popular Pharm d doctor of pharmacy Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Pharm d doctor of pharmacy Colleges in India. Learn more about these Pharm d doctor of pharmacy colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 K - 6.08 K
12 - 24 LPA

#1 NIRF

300 - 2.67 L
4.34 - 12.09 LPA

#3 NIRF

111 Courses
7.11 K - 19.5 L
7.53 - 18 LPA

#2 NIRF

650 - 2 L
12.2 - 24.1 LPA

#14 NIRF

130 - 46.58 K
6 - 24 LPA

#5 NIRF

65 Courses
1.5 L - 80.1 L
9.2 - 15.8 LPA

#9 NIRF

Popular Private Pharm d doctor of pharmacy Colleges in India

2.2 L - 10.08 L
3.15 LPA

Top 15 in Bangalore

Medicine & Health Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

2 L - 16.11 L
4.5 LPA

Top 25 in India

1 L - 9.6 L
3.7
2 Courses
9.6 L
2.46 LPA

Medicine & Health Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

2.2 L - 7.2 L
4.2

Medicine & Health Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

4.8 L - 6.4 L

Popular Pharm d doctor of pharmacy Specializations

Following are the most popular Pharm d doctor of pharmacy Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 days ago

PharmD and BSc are distinct programs with different focuses, so one is not necessarily "better" than the other; it depends on career goals. 

Pharm D course is a professional doctoral degree specifically designed for those aiming to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy, patient care, and medication ma

...more

J

Jaya Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

Pharm D course graduates are not typically involved in the manufacturing of medicines. Their primary role revolves around the clinical aspects of pharmacy, such as medication therapy management, patient counselling, and ensuring the safe use of medications. 

However, they may work closely with pharma

...more

M

Mani Sahni

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

No, the Pharm D course is not equal to the MD. 

PharmD is a professional doctorate in Pharmacy that focuses on drug therapy management, medication counselling, and patient care, preparing graduates to work as clinical pharmacists. It does not grant the authority to diagnose or treat medical condition

...more

M

Mamona Jain

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

Pharm D course is a highly specialised programme designed to prepare students for clinical pharmacy roles and patient-centric healthcare. Pharm D course is considered a good option for those passionate about healthcare, medication therapy management, and direct patient care. 

Pharm D course offers ex

...more

P

Parul Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

The choice between the Pharm D course and BPharm depends on your career aspirations. Pharm D course is a six-year programme that focuses on clinical pharmacy, equipping students to work as clinical pharmacists, and consultants, or pursue opportunities in research and academia. It also enables direct

...more

L

Loveleen Choudhury

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

With a rank of 34,599 in EAMCET, one will have to struggle for free seat in Pharm.D since there is high competition from people for government seats. Free seats in government colleges vary based on factors like your category, the number of available seats, and overall performances by other candidate

...more

H

Hanshika Baswal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, you can get admission to a Pharm. D (Doctor of Pharmacy) course if you meet the eligibility criteria. Here's what you need to know:

  1. Eligibility:

    • You must have completed your 12th grade with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics.
    • A minimum percentage in your 12th board exams is

...more

R

Rupesh Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

...more

V

Vaibhav Nalawade

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The cost of tuition fees at the Pharm.D. program at Nizam Institute of Pharmacy remains unknown to the general public. However, the B.Pharm. program is charged about INR1,24,000 per annum fee structure. Since Pharm.D. is an integrated program that spans six years, it would only be expected that the

...more

V

Vaibhav Nalawade

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Having acquired a B.Pharm degree, it might be worthwhile pursuing a Pharm.D. to further one's advancement in the pharmacy profession. Pharm.D. courses are offered by many of the universities in the country to B.Pharm graduates.

 Some of the most prominent of these universities are the University of S

...more

U

Udaya Bhaskar rao

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

For admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program at Annamalai University in 2024, the selection process is based on the marks obtained in the qualifying examination, such as the higher secondary or equivalent. For this year, the cutoff marks for Pharm.D. are determined based on a merit lis

...more

V

Vaishnavi Gulhane

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 weeks ago

For Pharm.D admissions at Deccan School of Pharmacy, Nampally, you typically need to qualify in the TS EAMCET exam. Your rank of 45,000 may be on the higher side for general category admissions, but it depends on factors like the category reservation and the cutoff for the specific year. Checking wi

...more

S

Suyash Pandey

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

To get a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D. Post Baccalaureate) at SRM College of Pharmacy in Chennai, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: Have passed 10+2 with English as a subject, and Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (P.C.M) or Biology (P.C.B/P.C.M.B) as optional subjects Have a minimu

...more

Y

Yash Goswami

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

PGP College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research offers a 6 years Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) course at the Doctorate level. The course offers admission to 30 students.

S

Shreya Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program at Vignan Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology is a 6-year full-time course approved by the Pharmacy Council of India and affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada. The eligibility criteria include a 10+2 qualification with Physic

...more

R

Rupesh Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, you can not get admission in D. PHARMA directly. To get admission into D. Pharma in any reputed government or private college you need to qualify Entrance Exam like MHT CET.

78408718
Yash Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Hi, Here is a list of top Pharm.D colleges in Hyderabad:

  1. G.Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy - Offers both undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy courses, with Pharm.D included. It has a good reputation and placement records.

  2. Chaitanya Deemed to be University - Known for its quality education and wide

...more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

A minimum KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences cutoff of 100000 to 130000th rank was required for the Pharm D course in the AP EAPCET exam. The institute offers various UG and PG courses. AP EAPCET 2024 exam will be held in the first week of July 2024 (tentatively).

Courses - Cutoff Ran

...more

A

Anchal Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The college allots 70% of the seats on the basis of merit and 30% are for NRI/Management candidates . The eligibility criteria for admission to B.Pharma course at Sultan UI Uloom College of Pharmacy is 45% in 12th standard. The last round closing rank for B.Pharm course in 2020 was 82,126. 

R

Rashi Agrawal

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Admission to Krupanidhi Colleges six-year professional Pharm D programme is available offline. Candidates who are interested must fulfill the requirements for eligibility, which include earning a D.Pharm degree from an accredited board or institution or finishing 10+2 with physics, chemistry and bio

...more

R

Ravi Babu

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, at the doctorate level, Sengundhar College of Pharmacy provides a six years PharmD course to the students. The programme is spread over 12 semesters. Students seeking admission must have passing scores in their past qualifying degree or Intermediate exams. Interested students can visit the offi

...more

V

Virajita Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, Haldia Institute of Pharmacy offers PharmaD with a duration of six years. Admission to the courses is based on NEET and CET scores, followed by a counseling. However, applicants are required to pass Class 10 and Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology or D. Pharm. or Diploma

...more

63158629
Jiya Tyagi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, if your are in 4 th year of Pharm.D in India and want to continue in foreign countries, it is definitely possible. You can apply in various countries for your further studies. Although some pharmacy Institutes is foreign countries doesn't accept applicants from abroad. So if you are planning to

...more

H

Harsh Vardhan Singh Deora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

In the case of Andhra University’s Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, the latest cutoff may also differ based on entrance tests such as AP EAMCET or for that matter direct merit. In general, students hailing from Andhra Pradesh who wish to join the Pharm D program tend to obtain very high ranks i

...more

A

Arindam Modak

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

With a rank of 19,692 in the TS EAMCET for Pharm.D, you have many colleges to consider for admission. While options may be somewhat limited based on your rank, here are some institutions where you could  have a good chance:

1. Deccan School of Pharmacy: This college had a cutoff for Pharm.D around 11

...more

R

Rupesh Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

It's arround 15000 rank for all the categories

K

K harsha reddy

Contributor-Level 6

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