Introduction : First of all, let us know “What is Pharmacy?”

The word pharmacy is derived from the word “Pharma“. This word had first been used in the 15th-17th century

“Pharmacy is the branch of health sciences that deals with the preparation and dispensing of drugs. Its aim is to ensure the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs”. 

Diploma Courses:

• Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) – 2 years

Undergraduate Courses:

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) – 4 years

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) Lateral Entry – 3 years

• Pharm (Hons.) – 4 years

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) – 4 years

Postgraduate Courses:

• Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) – 2 years

• Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate) – 3 years

• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) – 6 years

Doctoral Courses:

• Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences – 3 years

Eligibility is the most important factor that every candidate has to satisfy to be eligible for any course. Candidates can check the eligibility criteria for the pharmacy course in which he/she is interested to take admission.

For D.Pharm Course – It is the diploma in pharmacy. The minimum qualification of 10+2 is required. It must be passed with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology subjects. For admission to this course, candidates must have completed 17 years of the year of admission.

For B.Pharm Course – It is the bachelor’s degree in pharmacy that can be taken after passing 12th/intermediate examination. For this course, candidates must pass 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with one of the Mathematics / Computer Science / Biotechnology / Biology subjects and must obtained 50% marks in qualifying examination. Minimum 17 years of age and maximum  23 years on or before 31st  December of the year of admission.

Note: D.Pharm (Diploma of Pharmacy) holders are eligible for admission into B.Pharm (lateral entry).

For M.Pharm Course – The successful completion of this course leads to a master’s degree in pharmacy. A pass in Bachelor in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) programme with not less than 50% marks is required to be eligible for this course. For SC/ST, there is no minimum qualifying marks.

For Pharm.D Course – The first Pharm.D. programme was established at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles, California in 1950. The course duration is 6 years (5 years of classroom study and 1 year of internship). The qualification required is 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects with any one of the Mathematics or Biology subject. 

Note: D.Pharm (Diploma of Pharmacy) holders are eligible for admission (lateral entry).

For Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences – It is the research programme in the pharmacy field. Candidates can pursue this course after completing M.Pharm from a well-recognized institution.

Wish to know the admission procedure to get entry into the pharmacy courses!!

Most of the colleges provides admission through entrance exam. Various states regulates its own entrance exam for granting admission. Admission into postgraduate pharmacy courses is done through Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT). It is the famous national level entrance exam which score is accepted by maximum pharmacy institutions. In Telangana state, TS Polycet is conducted for the students who want to purse Diploma in Pharmacy from the colleges of Telangana.

Get some state level entrance exams for pharmacy courses:

• TS EAMCET (Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Entrance Test)

• AP EAMCET (Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Entrance Test)

• AP PGECET (Andhra Pradesh Post-Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test)

• MH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)

• KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)

• UKSEE (Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam)

• Delhi CET (Delhi Common Entrance Test)

• BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology & Science Admission Test)

• WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination)

In India, there are many private and government owned pharmacy colleges. Before taking admission, make sure that the college is approved by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) and Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi.

Pharmacists are the experts and health professionals who have done their studies in medicines. They can use their knowledge of medicines for the benefit of patients. 

Career Scope & Job Opportunities in Pharmacy field are huge. Due to the opening of large pharmaceutical companies, the future in the field of pharmacy is bright.

Numerous jobs are available for pharmacists in government as well as private organizations. After completing your studies, you can easily find jobs in pharmaceutical industries, government departments, colleges and universities, hospitals, investigation and research institute etc.

Pharmacists can practice in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and regulatory agencies. Sales & Marketing job sector also hires maximum number of pharmacy graduates.

One can also work in retail stores of medicines. After registering with the state Pharmacy Council, you can open chemist/drug shop and sell medicines as per doctors prescription.

• Consultant Pharmacists

• Clinical Pharmacist

• Dispensary Manager

• Dispensary Pharmacist

• Community Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Medicines Safety Manager

• Medicines Management Technician

• Pharmacy Assistant

• Senior Clinical Pharmacists

The pay package depends upon the qualification, location and experience of the candidate. In India, the starting salary of a pharmacy graduates ranges from range from Rs. 15000/- to Rs. 25,000 a month. The average salary for a Pharmacist is Rs 201,945 per year. Those, owning their own medicine shop will be able to make more.

In US, the salary would be in the range of USD $40,000 and USD $120,000 annually after one year of experience.

• Pharmacy Practice by David A. Holdford, Thomas R. Brown

• Clinical Pharmacy: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment by Paul Rutter

• Drug Store and Business Management by V.N. Raje

• Introduction to General Pharmacy by Gaurav Agarwal

• Physical Pharmacy by S.P. Agarwal, Rajesh Khanna

• Introduction to Pharmaceutical Calculations by Judith A. Rees, Ian Smith, Jennie Watson