Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. The professional practice is becoming more clinically oriented as most of the drugs are now manufactured by pharmaceutical industries.

The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing of medications. It also includes more modern services related to health care including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists, therefore, are experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize the use of medication for the benefit of the patients.

Course types –

1. Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm)
2. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)
3. Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm)
4. Pharm D

1. Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm)

Eligibility:

• Candidates who have completed Class 12 from a recognised board with a Science background can pursue this course. Students must have studied PCB or PCM (Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics) as main subjects and scored a minimum of 50% in the passing examination to be eligible to pursue this course.
• The minimum age to pursue this D Pharma eligibility is 17 years and candidates must possess valid certificates of passing an examination and relevant entrance examinations to get enrolled in D Pharma.
• D Pharma admission can be done either on a merit basis or based on entrance examinations. Therefore, candidates aspiring to make a career in the pharmaceutical industry right after completing senior secondary education can pursue D Pharma.

Course Duration:      

2 years

Course Fee:

INR 10,000 – INR 1, 00,000

Entrance Exams:      

OJEE, MHT CET, AIAPGET, GPAT, GUJCET, WBJEE, KCET

1. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)

Eligibility:

• The eligibility criteria for B Pharmacy courses are very simple and easy to follow. Below mentioned points discuss elaborately the eligibility criteria for a Bachelor of Pharmacy

• Students should have cleared Class 12 board exams with 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board
• They must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at their +2 level.
• After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, students should thereafter sit for Entrance exams or can be selected on the basis of merit, depending on the colleges they are applying to.

Course Duration:  4 years

Course Fee:INR 50,000 to Rs. 3,00,000

Entrance Exams:    NEET, BITSAT, MHT CET, NMIMS NPAT, CUCET, DSAT

1. Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm)

Eligibility:

• The candidates who want to pursue an M Pharm must hold a B Pharm degree from an institute approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
• Many universities require candidates to have a minimum aggregate percentage in their B Pharmacy degree, often around 55% or more. Some universities might have different minimum requirements based on categories (such as SC/ST/OBC candidates).
• Some universities and institutes conduct entrance exams for admission to their M Pharmacy programs. These exams could be at the state or national level. The scores from these exams are often used to shortlist candidates for further admission processes.

Course Duration:    2 years

Course Fee: INR Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 6, 00,000

Entrance Exams:     GPAT, AP PGECET, OJEE, HPCET, BITS, etc.

1. Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Eligibility: 

For a 6-year Pharm D:

• For the Doctor of Pharmacy, Candidates must have completed Class 12 from any state/national education board. They must have studied Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects with Mathematics or Biology as additional subjects. They must have completed 17 years of age in the year of admission. Or,
• Candidates holding a Diploma in Pharmacy are also eligible for the Pharm D course provided they fulfil all other conditions as well.

For a 3-year Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate):

• Candidates who passed the Bachelor of Pharmacy course from an institute recognized under the Pharmacy Council of India are eligible for the Pharm D course.
• For the Doctor of Pharmacy, They must have completed higher secondary education i.e. Class 12 or equivalent with (PCM/B) Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology subjects.

Course Duration:      

• 6 years (After 10+2)
• (Post Baccalaureate): 3 years

Course Fee: INR Rs. 1, 50,000 to Rs. 7, 00,000

Entrance Exams:   TS EAMCET, AP EAMCET, KCET, GPAT, AP PGECET, TS PGECET, NEET