Pharmacy as a field in India has risen in popularity in recent years. With multiple courses available in the field, it opens a number of doors for the students. The best pharmacy colleges in India offer multiple courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students need to know the difference between courses like B.Pharmacy, D.Pharmacy, and Pharm.D. While these three courses allow students admission after the completion of their 12th standard, the program outcomes differ for them.
B.Pharmacy has been the most popular course among high school graduates. It is a four-year program which focuses primarily on pharmaceutical science, research, and industry-related roles. Meanwhile, D. Pharmacy (Diploma in Pharmacy) is a two-year program focused on foundational and retail pharmacy skills. Pharm. D, on the other hand, is a six-year program focusing on clinical practice and patient care. Depending on their career goals, students may go on to choose either of the three courses.
M. Pharm is a two-year postgraduate program for which students are eligible after completing their B. Pharm degree. The program is focused on specialised and advanced research-oriented pharmaceutical sciences.
Overview of Pharmacy Education in India
Pharmacy education in India is well structured and is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). There are more than 2,500 institutions in India offering multiple courses like D.Pharm, B.Pharm, Pharm.D, and M.Pharm. Pharmacy education attained from pharmacy colleges in India, like Rungta University, is heavily focused on the pharmaceutical industry.
For the undergraduate courses, students are required to have completed their 12th standard education in a science stream (PCB/PCM/PCMB).
Apart from the PCI, pharmacy education is also regulated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Even though the courts have given the ruling that decisions of PCI will prevail over AICTE, the institutions are often required to obtain approval from both bodies.
Eligibility and Admission Criteria for Pharmacy Field
Here is a look at the eligibility and admission criteria for different courses in the pharmacy field:
- B. Pharmacy and B. Pharmacy (Lateral): To be eligible for the B.Pharmacy course, a student needs to have completed 12th standard with the science stream. The admission criteria could involve marks attained in the 12th standard, which could differ on the basis of the category the students belong to. Universities may ask for an entrance exam separately.
- B. Pharmacy (Practice): It is a two-year program, and students with a D.Pharm degree from an institute approved by PCI are eligible for it. For admission to the course, students are required to have worked for four years after completion of D.Pharm.
- D. Pharmacy: Students need to have completed 12th standard education in the science stream. A minimum criterion of marks in the 12th class is placed on the students which could differ based on the category they belong to.
- M. Pharma: For an M. Pharma degree, students are required to have completed a B. Pharm degree from a PCI-recognised university. Apart from their performance in the undergraduate course, admission also depends on their scores in the GPAT entrance test.
- Pharm. D: This is a six-year program for which students are eligible after completing their 12th standard in the science stream. The minimum marks required for admission is 50% for general category students and 45% for reserved category students. Students with a D. Pharm degree are also eligible for the course.
Courses Offered in Pharmacy
Pharmacy education in India has been diverse and offers multiple courses all coming under the purview of PCI. Here is a list of courses offered in the top pharmacy colleges in India:
- B. Pharmacy
- D. Pharmacy
- M. Pharma
- Pharm. D
Career Opportunities After Pharmacy
Post the COVID pandemic, career opportunities after pharmacy have increased by multiple fold in India. The advancements in the healthcare industry have meant that pharmacy colleges in India are witnessing placements higher than ever. In recent times, India as a nation has become a global exporter of drugs, which has in turn resulted in extra opportunities in the R&D department. Here is a look at the career opportunities after pharmacy:
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Quality Control and Quality Assurance Officer
- Production Executive
- R&D Scientist
- Clinical Research
- Clinical Research Associate
- Drug Safety Associate
- Clinical Data Manager
- Regulatory Affairs and Medical Writing
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Medical Writer
- Sales and Marketing
- Medical Representative
- Product Manager
- Government and Academic Roles
- Drug Inspector
- Lecturer/Assistant Professor
- Government Pharmacist
Importance of College Approval
Approval from top educational bodies is imperative for the reputation of the college. Pharmacy colleges in India are approved not only by the PCI but also by the relevant technical educational bodies. For instance, the School of Pharmacy of Rungta University in Chhattisgarh has been approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), the Department of Technical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh, and CGPURC, Government of Chhattisgarh. College approval is important for pharmacy education due to the following reasons:
- Getting approval from top educational bodies serves as a form of recognition.
- Certificates and approvals act as an assurance of the quality of the delivery of the course.
- Higher education requires an undergraduate degree completed from a recognised college or university.
- Colleges that have been approved by the educational bodies often have better tie-ups with industry leaders.
What Students Should Verify Before Admission
There are a few important metrics which students should verify before admission to pharmacy colleges in India. These parameters help the students to get an idea about the college or university. Here is a look at the crucial factors that can help in verifying colleges and universities:
- Approvals and Accreditations: Accreditations and approvals from educational bodies act as a recognition. This recognition is crucial while seeking placements or even going for higher studies.
- Faculty: The presence of experienced faculty helps students gain knowledge from a practical point of view. The faculty could help during the placement season.
- Infrastructure: Pharmacy is a course where education imparted in laboratories is pretty crucial. In such cases, infrastructure and modern equipment in labs help in enhancing the delivery of the course.
- Placement Records: Placement records need to be verified as they give out a true representation of the possible return on investment. Students pay the fee for the course and, in return, seek out lucrative placement offers.
- Eligibility: Eligibility varies for various courses. It is crucial to check out the eligibility and the admission process for the course a student wishes to pursue.
FAQs
- Is pharmacy a good career option in India?
Yes, pharmacy is a good career option in India. It offers stability and diverse career opportunities.
- What pharmacy courses are available after 12th science?
Pharmacy courses available after 12th science are:
- B.Pharm
- D.Pharm
- Pharm.D
- Is NEET required for admission to pharmacy colleges in India?
No, NEET is not required for admission to pharmacy colleges in India, as most universities and colleges ask for state-level entrance exams.
- What salary can pharmacy graduates expect in India?
Salaries in the range of ₹2-4 lakhs per annum can be expected by pharmacy graduates in India.
- Is PCI approval mandatory for pharmacy colleges?
Yes, approval from the PCI (Pharmacy Council of India) is mandatory for all colleges offering pharmacy courses in India.
- Can pharmacy graduates work in hospitals?
Yes, pharmacy graduates work in hospitals as clinical pharmacists, hospital pharmacists, and in other specialised roles.
- Is higher education required after pharmacy courses?
While higher education is not compulsory, it is highly recommended after pharmacy courses.
- Do pharmacy colleges provide placement support?
Yes, most of the reputed pharmacy colleges in India provide placement support.
- Is pharmacy considered a difficult course?
Pharmacy can be considered to be a challenging course due to the academic curriculum.
- Can commerce students apply for pharmacy programs?
No, commerce students can not apply for pharmacy programs.
- Which industries hire pharmacy graduates in India?
The following industries hire pharmacy graduates in India:
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry
- Clinical Research Organizations (CROs)
- Hospitals
- Regulatory Bodies
- Can pharmacy graduates work abroad?
Yes, pharmacy graduates can work abroad as the career roles are in demand in countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, and other countries.
- What is the duration of pharmacy courses?
The duration of pharmacy courses varies depending on the course the student wishes to pursue.
- B. Pharmacy- 4 years
- B. Pharmacy (Lateral Entry)- 3 years
- D. Pharmacy- 2 years
- M. Pharma- 2 years
- Pharm. D- 6 years
- Are internships included in pharmacy education?
Yes, internships are an integral part of pharmacy education.
- How should students choose pharmacy colleges in India?
Students choose pharmacy colleges in India by verifying the following details:
- Approvals and Accreditations
- Faculty
- Infrastructure
- Placement Records
- Eligibility
