List of Pharmacy Courses After 12th - Admission Process, Fees, Career Options, Salary

Akansha Sirohi

Updated On: December 26, 2024 11:33 AM | GPAT

Are you planning to take admission in Pharmacy courses and wondering which course will suit you the best? Look no furthur. Here’s information on Pharmacy Courses after 12th class along with its fee structure, admission process, eligibility criteria, career perspective and more.

Pharmacy Courses After 12th

Pharmacy Courses After 12th: If you are a PCB student and wish to pursue medical programmes, then Pharmacy courses are a viable option apart from the MBBS courses and BDS courses. After completing pharmaceutic-focused programs from different colleges across the nation, pharmacy courses not only lead to good job opportunities but also pay well. Students must study physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics during their 10+2 level in order to meet the minimum requirements for pharmacy courses after the 12th grade.

A bachelor's degree in pharmacy, or B.Pharm, is a good option that can help you find work after graduation, even though it is not regarded as a traditional medical program. Teaching students how to manage their dosage, help patients, and use medications correctly is the aim of the programs. Students can apply for pharmacy programs in India using their ISC Class 12 and CBSE 12 results. Along with other pertinent details about the field, you can review the list of undergraduate pharmacy courses that are offered in this article.

Pharmacy Courses After 12th - B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

One such degree program that provides in-depth understanding of medications, their composition, and manufacturing is the Bachelor of Pharmacy, or B.Pharm. After the 12th grade, one of the most popular pharmacy programs in India is the B.Pharma. It aims to provide a thorough grasp of the basic applications of biochemistry in pharmacology, a branch of pharmacy. It is a methodical process that has proven effective in the prescription, manufacturing, and distribution of pharmaceuticals. A student is more likely to pursue a career in pharmaceutical business or further their education in this area after enrolling in and finishing such pharmacy courses.

B.Pharm Eligibility - Minimum of 50% in Class 12th and Physics, Chemistry and Biology as mandatory subjects in 12th.
Course Duration - 4 years

Pharmacy Courses After 12th Class - D.Pharm

One of the most popular four-semester pharmacy programs after 12th grade is the Diploma in Pharmacy, or D.Pharm. The D.Pharm program covers the foundations of pharmaceutical research. After completing their 12th grade in the science stream, students who take these pharmacy courses are expected to be ready for work in hospitals and other pharmaceutically related fields under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. For DPharm graduates, the pharmaceutical industry and hospitals offer a variety of job options.

D.Pharm Eligibility - A minimum of 50% in 12th Class with PCB stream
Course Duration - 2 years

Types of Pharmacy Courses & Duration

At the undergraduate level, students will be able to pursue two distinct courses that are highly regarded in the field of Pharmacy. Check out the types of Pharmacy courses and their duration here.

Course Name

Abbreviation

Duration of Course

Bachelor of Pharmacy

B Pharm

4 Years

Diploma in Pharmacy

D Pharm

2 Years

Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy Courses in India

In order to pursue any pharmacy course after class 12, all aspirants of the course need to meet the requisite eligibility criteria for Pharmacy courses in India.

Course Name

B Pharm

D Pharm

Academic Requirement

10+2 in Science Stream / D.Pharm Graduate

10+2 in Science Stream

Subject Requirement

Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology

Minimum Aggregate Score Requirement

50% and More

40% and More

Entrance Test Score

State-Level or University-Level Entrance Test

University-Level Entrance Test

Note: Pharmacy colleges will define their own requirements and eligibility criteria for the various pharmacy courses at the undergraduate level. Therefore, prior to applying for admission to the different programmes, aspirants are advised to go through the admission guidelines and policies of each individual college.

Common Topics in Pharmacy Courses

Under both the degrees, i.e. Diploma in Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmacy, there will be certain topics that will be common across various pharmacy colleges in India. Here are some of the common topics in Pharmacy courses that are taught in classrooms across India.

Year

B.Pharm

D.Pharm

First Year

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy & Physiology

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Pharmaceutics

Organic Chemistry

Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy

Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology

Second Year

AP-HE - I & II

Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence

Pharmaceutics

Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy

Pathophysiology of Common Diseases

Pharmacology & Toxicology

Dispensing and Community Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Third Year

Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Ethics

NA

Biopharmaceutics

Chemistry of Natural Products

Medicinal Chemistry

Fourth Year

Drug Interactions

NA

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Pharmacognosy

Medicinal Pharmacy

Note: Each college/institution/university will define its own curriculum for the various B.Pharm and D.Pharm programmes, while, ensuring that they meet the requisite curriculum guidelines set by the Pharmacy Council of India.

Entrance Exams for Pharmacy Courses

There are several entrance tests that are conducted in order to offer pharmacy aspirants admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Listed below are some of the entrance tests for B.Pharm, D.Pharm and M.Pharm.

Exams for Undergraduate Courses:

Exams for Postgraduate Courses:

Note: Apart from these state-level entrance tests, conducted for the purpose of offering admission to pharmacy aspirants in the respective state, individual institutes and universities also offer either B.Pharm or D.Pharm admissions based on University-level entrance exams.

Best Pharmacy Colleges in India

India is home to a number of reputable colleges and universities which offer pharmacy at various levels, i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma. Check out the following list of Best Pharmacy Colleges in India, the courses offered by them and their respective course fees.

Name of College

Courses Offered

Annual Course Fee

Quantum University Roorkee

B.Pharm

₹98,500

D.Pharm

₹85,000

Guru Kashi University Bathinda

B.Pharm

₹75,000

D.Pharm

₹65,000

Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute Chennai

B.Pharm

₹2,00,000

D.Pharm

₹1,30,000

Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai

B.Pharm

₹1,78,000

Narasaraopeta Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Guntur

B.Pharm

₹50,000

Moradabad Institute of Technology Moradabad

B.Pharm

₹1,33,000

D.Pharm

₹90,000

Uttaranchal University Dehradun

B.Pharm

₹1,05,000

D.Pharm

₹70,000

Shyam University Dausa

B.Pharm

₹1,20,000

D.Pharm

₹1,20,000

Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology Chandigarh

B.Pharm

₹99,000

D.Pharm

₹75,000

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University Bhubaneswar

B.Pharm

₹1,30,000

Pharmacy Certificate Courses

Apart from the conventional route of either opting for a Diploma or Bachelor’s programme, many students choose to explore certificate courses. They are offered by standalone institutions for anywhere between 1 month to 2 years. Based on the timeline and quality of the certificate courses, aspirants are charged an appropriate amount of anywhere between INR 500 to 50,000. The courses can be pursued online or offline based on students' convenience.

  • Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Pharmacy
  • Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
  • Fundamentals of Global Drug Regulatory Affairs
  • Certificate Course in Panchakarma Therapy
  • Certificate Course in Ayurvedic Nursing
  • Certificate Programs in Spiritual & Cultural Studies
  • Certificate Course in Pharmaceutical Marketing
  • Certificate in Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance

Top Colleges/ Platforms Offering Certificates Programmes for Pharmacy Courses

There are many institutions that offer certificate courses to students. Given below are some of the renowned ones.

Top Colleges/ Platforms Offering Online Certificates Programme

Listed below are a few online platforms and institutions offering certificates course to aspirants.

College/ Online Platform

Location

University of Bristol

United Kingdom

University of Malaya

Malaysia

University of Glasgow

United Kingdom

King Saud University

Saudi Arabia

Coursera UC San Diego

Online

Univerrsity of Otago

New Zealand

FutureLearn

Online

Coursera

Online

Udemy

Online

FutureLearn Taipei Medical University

Online

eCornell

Online

Top Colleges/ Platforms Offering Offline Certificates Programme

Listed below are a few offline institutions offering certificates course to students.

College Name

Location

Indian Institute of Pharmaceutical Marketing

Lucknow

Institute of Goods Manufacturing Practices India

Uttar Pradesh

GITAM Institute of Pharmacy

Visakhapatnam

Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College

Mumbai

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities in Pharmacy

Having pursued B.Pharma programme opens your options for jobs in government as well as the private sector. Candidates can also start their own business after getting their pharmacist license. Some of the career prospects and job opportunities in Pharmacy available to pharmacy graduates in India are as follows:

  • Pharmacist: Dispenses prescription medications, advises patients on proper use, and ensures the safety and efficacy of medications. Works in retail, hospital, or clinical settings.
  • Clinical Pharmacist: Works closely with healthcare teams to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes. Reviews patient histories and recommends drug therapies.
  • Hospital Pharmacist: Prepares and dispenses medications for inpatients and outpatients in a hospital. Collaborates with doctors and nurses on treatment plans.
  • Pharmacy Technician: Supports pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, and maintaining records in pharmacies or hospitals.
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: Promotes and sells medications to healthcare providers. Provides product information and answers questions to encourage prescribing.
  • Pharmaceutical Research Scientist: Conducts research to discover, develop, and test new drugs. Works in laboratories or research institutions.
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensures pharmaceutical products comply with government regulations. Prepares and submits documentation for drug approvals.
  • Pharmacovigilance Officer: Monitors and assesses the safety of medications post-launch. Investigates adverse drug reactions and ensures compliance with safety regulations.
  • Industrial Pharmacist: Involved in the manufacturing, quality control, and production of pharmaceutical products in industrial settings.
  • Compounding Pharmacist: Customizes medications to meet specific patient needs, such as altering dosage forms or excluding allergens.
  • Toxicologist: Studies the effects of chemicals, including medications, on humans and the environment. Provides safety assessments for pharmaceutical products.

Average Salary in Pharmacy Career in India

Candidates pursuing undergraduate pharmacy course can expect starting salaries ranging from Rs.10,000 to Rs.18,000 per month. The average salary in pharmacy in India depends on various factors such as their qualifications, area of specialisation, place of employment, skills and training received and much more. Like other industries, the more on-field experience a graduate of pharmacy gains, the better the job profile and payscale of that candidate. With proper experience and developed skillset, Pharmacists can expect an annual salary of ₹4,50,000 - ₹7,00,000.

This can also be enhanced with higher education in pharmacy or other fields, to expand one's knowledge and skillset. In most cases, higher education results in a better package and better job profiles for pharmacy graduates. Some of the courses that one can pursue after graduating from a Pharmacy course in India is as follows.

Future Scope and Options after Pursuing Pharmacy Courses

Even though a B.Pharm degree can lead to good employment opportunities, students can find better opportunities by pursuing an M.Pharm. Opportunities to work with multinational corporations are also available to postgraduate pharmacy students. Getting an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management is an additional future option. You can advance in your career with this specialisation, which also offers excellent employment prospects, such as positions as medical representative, area manager, and production manager.

Reputed Recruiters in the Field of Pharmacy

The pharmaceutical industry has seen massive growth over the past decade, where different pharmaceutical companies have been able to produce top quality medicines and drugs for medicinal purposes. Here are some of the top recruiters in the field of pharmacy.

  • Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd

  • Cipla Limited

  • Aurobindo Pharma Ltd

  • Lupin Ltd

  • Dr Reddy's Laboratories

  • Abbott India Ltd

  • Mankind Pharma Ltd

  • Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

The colleges listed above are just a few of the many pharmacy colleges in India offering a range of pharmacy courses to aspirants. If you wish to explore other such non-conventional medical courses, you can also consider a career in the field of Radiology, Homeopathy and Ayurveda, Physiotherapy etc. However, if you wish to stick a career in the pure medicine field, do a keep track of admission process at top MBBS colleges!

If you are looking for a pharmacy college for yourself in India, then fill out the Common Application Form , available on our website. You will be able to select the college and course of your choice and you can also seek guidance for admission from our counsellors as well.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

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FAQs

Can I use DRx title after completing B.Pharmacy Course?

Yes, Candidates who have completed a professional degree course in Pharmacy like B. Pharm and M. Pharm can use the title DRx (Drug Expert) before their names. Candidates who have pursued any diploma or certificate Pharmacy course are not eligible to use the title DRx. 
 

If I am a graduate of any Pharmacy course in India, will I be called Doctor?

No. The title of Doctor (Dr.) can only be attained by the candidates who manage to complete Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy). You must have seen people using DRx as a title before their name, this is short form for DRug eXpert, not Doctor. 

Does admission to Pharmacy Courses require NEET Score?

No. Students can enrol in pharmacy courses (Degree or Diploma) without applying through NEET score. Admissions to Pharamcy courses can be taken directly after class 12th, although few colleges might take their own entrance exam for admissions in Pharamcy courses. 
 

Which is the best Pharmacy Course to pursue after 12th Class?

After 12th class, every student plans to pursue a degree course, hence B.Pharmacy is the best Pharmacy Course to enroll after class 12. Candidates who have passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) as compulsory subjects can apply for admission to B.Pharmacy Degree Course.
 

Should I study Pharmacy courses via correspondence?

No. The course structure of Pharmacy is practical-oriented where one has to learn the production process of various medicinal substances. It requires a fully-functional lab to study from. Online classes will only provide you with theoretical knowledge.

Is GPAT necessary to take if I want to secure admission in Pharmacy?

GPAT is a national-level entrance test that only those candidates have to appear for who want admission in the Master in Pharmacy.

Are there any entrance tests that one needs to appear for if they are seeking admission in Pharm?

Yes. Students have to appear for entrance tests in order to secure admission for Bachelor’s degree courses in Pharmacy. Aspirants can site for any one of the given entrance tests for Pharmacy:

  • MHT CET

  • GCET

  • DIPSAR

  • UPSEE

  • GUJCET

What is the duration of courses of Pharmacy?

Pharmacy is a full-time graduation programme that can span up to 4 years long.

Are Pharmacy courses worth pursuing?

Yes, Absolutely. Pharmacy allows one to help fellow humans while bagging lucrative packages for themselves. Those who are interested in the same should definitely pursue Pharmacy courses.

Apart from becoming a pharmacist, what other career options can I explore once I complete the pharmacy courses?

Candidates can apply for the below-given job roles if they don’t want to be a pharmacist:

  • Drug inspector

  • Marketing professional

  • Medical representative

  • Clinical research professional

How much does a pharmacist earn in India?

On average, a pharmacist earns anywhere between INR 2-5 Lakhs per annum in the early stage of their career. Once individuals get more experience, they can get better exposure and higher remuneration.

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