D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects 2024

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Sep 24, 2024 21:05PM IST

D Pharma syllabus is designed by the Pharma Council of India to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject to all aspirants wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Some of the important D Pharma Subjects integrated in the syllabus are biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, chemistry applications, etc. The D Pharma syllabus is divided into 4 semesters throughout the 2-year course. Students pursuing the D Pharma course receive academic and practical training related to the pharmaceutical sciences.

D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects Overview

D Pharma syllabus is divided into four semesters for the two-year course curriculum. Throughout the entire D Pharma course, students receive academic and practical training related to the pharmaceutical sciences. According to the D Pharma Syllabus, the course curriculum covers the fundamentals of pharmacy education that includes D Pharma subjects such as biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and chemistry applications in the pharmaceutical sector. 

In India, Diploma in Pharmacy (commonly abbreviated as D Pharm or D Pharma) is a credential awarded to students entering tertiary pharmacy education. The Pharma Council of India has introduced the D Pharma course to train individuals as professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. A detailed insight into the D Pharmacy Syllabus and Subjects has been mentioned below. 

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D Pharmacy Syllabus Important Facts

  • For students interested in pursuing a career in the pharmacy sector, the D Pharma programme is an entry-level coursework that acts as a stepping stone. GD Pharmacy Syllabus involves the preparation, administration, and appropriate use of medications meant for therapeutic purposes. Thus, learning the D Pharmacy Syllabus is a crucial element in the medical industry. D Pharmacy is a two-year, full-time diploma course that trains students to work in community pharmacies, hospitals, and other pharmaceutically-related settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. 
  • If a student has completed higher secondary education in the science stream with physics, chemistry, and either biology or math as subjects, they are eligible to enroll in the course. To become a registered pharmacist, one must register with the pharmacy council after receiving their diploma. D Pharmacy holders may also use the lateral entry scheme to enroll in a professional (undergraduate) degree programme for the Bachelor of Pharmacy. Hence, aspiring students must have a clear idea about what the D Pharmacy syllabus entails and how studying D Pharmacy subjects can help them amass the various aspects of the healthcare industry.
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D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects Highlights

Mentioned below in the table is a detailed insight into the D Pharmacy Syllabus and Subjects:

 ParametersDetails
Course Name Diploma in Pharmacy 
Also Known AsD Pharma 
Course Level Postgraduate 
Course Duration 2 Years
Total No. of Semesters 4 Semesters
D Pharma Syllabus Structure Core Subjects, Projects Submission, Practical Classes, Internal Examinations
Major D Pharma Subjects Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology, Drugstore and Business Management, Health Education & Community Pharmacy, Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Important BooksHuman Anatomy and Physiology by V N Raje, Pharmaceutics by R M Mehta, Fundamentals of Pharmacology by Dr K K Bothara and Dr K G Bothara, etc.
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D Pharma Syllabus: Course Structure

The D Pharmacy subjects according to the 1st Year D Pharma syllabus, introduces students to fundamental/core pharmaceutical aspects that remain common to all. The D Pharmacy subjects in the 2nd Year D Pharma syllabus, provide in-depth study and understanding of particular chemistry, toxicology, etc. principles. Additionally, the application and implementation of concepts learnt during theory sessions are further facilitated through practical lab work. The D Pharma syllabus course structure is as follows:

  • Core subjects
  • Project/thesis submission
  • Practical labs
  • IV semesters

It must be noted that there are no elective D Pharmacy subjects available to students in the D Pharmacy syllabus since the course offers no specialisations. The course structure is wholly designed to include core subjects.

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List of D Pharmacy Subjects

D Pharma subjects are intended to improve students' knowledge and comprehension of the pharmaceuticals and medications used in medical science. The D Pharmacy syllabus curriculum involves project/dissertation work and theoretical classroom-based instruction to help students better understand the concepts. Common subjects make up the D Pharma syllabus; while they may differ slightly from one college to another, they are all nearly the same. Also, there are only core D Pharmacy subjects as no elective D Pharma subjects are offered in this course. Listed below are the D Pharmacy subjects that will be taught to students over the whole two-year study programme:

D Pharmacy Core Subjects 

The list of D Pharmacy Core Subjects are mentioned below in the table:

Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiochemistry & Clinical Pathology
Pharmacognosy Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Hospital & Clinical PharmacyPharmaceutics

D Pharmacy Elective Subjects

The list of D Pharmacy Elective Subjects are mentioned below in the table:

Pharmacology & ToxicologyPharmaceutical Jurisprudence
Health Education & Community PharmacyDrug store and Business Management
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Detailed D Pharmacy Syllabus (Semester-wise)

A semester-wise detailed D Pharmacy Syllabus and Subjects has been mentioned below for students to refer to:

Semesters I & II D Pharmacy Subjects

The following table includes the Semester-Wise D Pharma Syllabus for 1st Year that are subdivided into theory and practical. Columns 2 and 3 of the table below show the number of hours devoted to each subject's teaching. 

Semester Wise D Pharma SyllabusTheory HoursPractical Hours
WeeklyYearlyWeeklyYearly
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I375375
Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology250375
Health Education & Community Pharmacy250--
Pharmaceutics-I3754100
Pharmacognosy375375
Human Anatomy & Physiology375250
Total Hours1640015375

Semesters III & IV D Pharmacy Subjects

The following table includes the Semester-Wise D Pharma Syllabus for 2nd Year that are subdivided into theory and practical. Columns 2 and 3 of the table below show the number of hours devoted to each subject's teaching.

Semester Wise D Pharma SubjectsTheory HoursPractical Hours
WeeklyYearlyWeeklyYearly
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II4100375
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence250--
Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy375250
Pharmaceutics-II3754100
Pharmacology & Toxicology375250
Drug Store and Business Management375--
Total Hours1845011275
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D Pharma Syllabus (Year-Wise)

As discussed, D Pharma syllabus is broken down into four semesters over the full-time course duration of two years. Given that the curriculum consists only of core subjects, the D Pharm syllabus is devoted to delivering the basis of Pharmacy. It mainly focuses on preparing, dispensing, and using medications for therapeutic purposes. No specialisations are offered, hence the course syllabus is the same throughout with no electives.

D Pharma 1st Year Syllabus

The following table shows the D Pharmacy 1st Year Subjects divided separately for theory and practical lectures:

1st Year D Pharma Syllabus Topics Covered in TheoryTopics Covered in Practical
Biochemistry & Clinical PathologyEnzymes, Carbohydrates, Introduction to biochemistry, Vitamins, Lipids, Therapeutics (Lymphocytes and Erythrocytes)

Amino acids, Detection and identification of proteins, Carbohydrates and lipids, Analysis of normal and abnormal constituents of Blood and Urine like Alkaline Phosphatase acid, Urea, Glucose, Creatinine, Creatine, Cholesterol, SGPT, Bilirubin, SGOT, Diastase, Calcium, Lipase.

Practice in injecting drugs by intramuscular, withdrawal of blood samples, examination of sputum and faeces (microscopic & staining), and Subcutaneous and intravenous routes

Health Education & community pharmacyNutrition and Health, Epidemiology, Concept of Health, Environment and Health, First Aid, Fundamental Principles of Microbiology, Respiratory infections, Arthropod-borne infections, Communicable diseases, Intestinal infection, sexually transmitted diseases, surface infection, Non-communicable diseases-
Human Anatomy & PhysiologySensory Organs, Elementary tissues, Reproductive system, Scope of Anatomy and Physiology, Cardiovascular System, Skeletal System, Respiratory system, Muscular System, Urinary System, Central Nervous System, Digestive System, Endocrine SystemBlood Pressure and ECG, Cardiac Muscle, Cardiovascular System, Clotting Time of Blood, Connective Tissue and Nervous Tissues, Determination of RBCs, Digestive System, Ear, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Haemoglobin Value, Examination of Blood Films for TLC, DLC and Malaria Parasite, Heart Rate, Microscopic Examination of Epithelial Tissue, Pulse, Recording of Body Temperature, Reproductive System Eye, Respiratory System, Skeletal Muscle, Smooth Muscle, Study of the Human Skeleton, Study with the Help of Charts and Models of the Following System and Organs, Urinary System
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-IDental Products, Antidotes, Antioxidants, Acids, bases and buffers, Topical Agents, Gastrointestinal agents, Antimicrobials and Astringents, Expectorants and Emetics, Respiratory stimulants, Major Intra and Extracellular electrolytes, Radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media, Inorganic official compounds, Identification tests for cations and anions, Quality control of drugs and pharmaceuticals

Array of inorganic pharmaceuticals involving each of the following methods of compounds marked with (*) under theory - 1. Acid-Base titrations (at least 3), 2. Redox titrations (one each of permanganometry and iodimetry), 3. Precipitation titrations (at least 2), 4. Complexometric titration (Calcium and Magnesium). Identification tests for inorganic compounds particularly drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Limit test for chloride, Sulphate, Arsenic, Iron and heavy metals.

Pharmaceutics-IAseptic techniques, Metrology, Introduction of different dosage forms, Packaging of pharmaceuticals, Introduction to the drying process, Mixing and Homogenization, Size separation, Extraction and Galenicals, Clarification and Filtration, Distillation, Sterilization, Processing of Tablets, Study of immunological products, Processing of CapsulesCapsules (2), Cosmetic preparations (3), Creams (2), Extracts (2), Ophthalmic preparations (2), Preparation of Aromatic waters (3), Preparations involving (2), Preparations involving aseptic techniques (2), Solutions (4), Spirits (2), Tables (2), Tinctures (4)
PharmacognosyOccurrence, distribution, pharmaceutical aids, History and scope of Pharmacognosy, tannins and resins, chemical constituents, Adulteration and drug evaluation, glycosides, various systems of classification of drugs and natural origin, terpenoids, Brief outline of Alkaloids, organoleptic evaluation, volatile oils, and miscellaneous

Gross anatomical studies drugs including, Cinchona, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Datura, Fennel, Ginger, Identification of Fibres and Surgical Dressing, Ipecacuanha, Nux-Vomica, Senna.

Identification of drugs by morphological characters.

Physical and chemical tests to evaluate drugs wherever required.

D Pharma 2nd Year Syllabus

The following table shows the 2nd Year D Pharmacy Subjects divided separately for theory and practical lectures:

D Pharma 2nd Year SyllabusTopics Covered in TheoryTopics Covered in Practical
Pharmacology & ToxicologyAutacoids, Cardiovascular drugs, Chemotherapy of microbial diseases, Disinfectants and antiseptics, Drugs acting on the central Nervous system, Drugs acting on the digestive system, Drugs acting on the respiratory system, Drugs affecting renal function, General mechanism of drugs action, Hormones and hormone antagonists, Introduction to pharmacology, Routes of administration of drugsEffect of acetylcholine on rectus abdominis muscle of frog and guinea pig ileum. Effect of convulsant and anticonvulsant in mice or rats. Effect of digitalis on frog’s heart. Effect of diphenhydramine in experimentally produced asthma in guinea pigs. Effect of hypnotics in mice. Effect of local anaesthetics on rabbit cornea. Effect of mydriatics and miotics on rabbit’s eye. Effect of potassium and calcium ions, acetylcholine and adrenaline on frog’s heart. Effect of spasmogens and relaxants on rabbit’s intestine. Taming and hypnosis potentiating effect of chlorpromazine in mice/rats. Test for pyrogens. To study the action of strychnine on frogs.
Pharmaceutics-IIBiphasic Liquid Dosage Forms: Suspensions, Dental and cosmetic preparations, Dispensed Medications, Emulsions, Incompatibilities in prescriptions, Jellies, Liquid oral Dosage forms: Monophasic, Ophthalmic products, Pastes, Posology, Powders, Prescriptions, Semi-Solid Dosage Forms: Ointments, Sterile Dosage forms: Parenteral dosage forms, Sterility testing, Suppositories and pessariesDispensing of up to 100 products covering a range of preparations such as solutions, mixtures,  emulsions, liniments, and ENT preparations. Ointments, suppositories, powders, incompatible prescriptions, etc.
Pharmaceutical JurisprudenceLatest Drugs (price control) order in force, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971(as amended to date), Medicinal and Toilet preparations (Excise Duties) Act, 1955 (as amended to date), Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic substances Act,1985, Origin and nature of pharmaceutical legislation in India, Pharmacy Act,1948, Poisons Act, 1919 (as amended to date), Principles and significance of Professional Ethics, The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-IIAdrenergic antagonists, Adrenergic drugs, Analgesics and Antipyretics, Antiarrhythmic, Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants, Antidepressant Drugs, Antifungal agents, Antihypertensives & Vitamins, Antileprotic Drugs, Antimalarial Drugs, Antiamoebic and Anthelmintic Drugs, Anti-Neoplastic Drugs, Anti-tubercular Drugs, cardiac glycosides, Cardiovascular Drugs, Cholinergic Antagonists, Coagulants and Anticoagulants, Diagnostic Agents, Diuretic Drugs, General Anaesthetics, Hypnotics, Hypoglycemia Agents, Introduction to the nomenclature of organic chemical systems, Local Anaesthetics, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Steroidal Drugs, Sulphonamides, The chemistry of pharmaceutical organic compounds (Antiseptics and Disinfectants, Tranquilizers)Systematic qualitative testing of organic drugs involving solubility determination, detection of elements and functional groups (10 compounds), and melting point and/or boiling point. Official identification tests for certain groups of drugs included in the I.P. like barbiturates, sulphonamides, antibiotics, phenothiazines, etc. (8 compounds). Preparation of three simple organic preparations.
Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy

Part I: Banking and Finance, Commerce- Introduction, Drug House Management, Recruitment, Sales, training.

Part II: Adverse Drug Reactions, Bioavailability of drugs, Clinical Pharmacy- Introduction to Clinical pharmacy practice, Common daily terminology used in the practice of Medicine. Disease, Drug dependencies, Drugs in Clinical Toxicity, manifestation and pathophysiology, Modern dispensing aspects, Physiological parameters with their significance. Drug Interactions

 -
Drug store and Business Management

Part I: Banking and Finance, Commerce- Introduction, Drug House Management, Recruitment, Sales, training.

Part II: Accountancy- Introduction to accounting concepts & conventions.                                                             

-
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D Pharma Syllabus Important Books

To gain a deeper understanding of the D.Pharma subjects, one must look up to the wide range of important books for D.Pharma syllabus available in both offline and online modes. All aspirants gearing up to pursue a degree in D.Pharma must conduct extensive research on the kinds of books best fitted to aid in comprehending the gist of the subject matter.

The following table mentioned below highlights some of the important books for D.Pharma Syllabus:

BooksAuthor 
Drug DesignV M Kulkarni
Pharmacognosy I & IIA P Purohit, S B Gokhale and Dr C K Kokate
Human Anatomy and PhysiologyV N Raje
Pharmaceutical JurisprudenceS Chandak
Pharmaceutical Inorganic ChemistryDr K G Bothara
Pharmaceutics - IR M Mehta
Fundamentals of PharmacologyDr K K Bothara and Dr K G Bothara
D Pharm Concise Course in Pharmaceutical Chem -II (second-year)Dr Jogendra C Hundiwale, MD Usman, Dr  MD Rageeb and Ashish B Budhrani
Pharmaceutical Chemistry - IA V Kasture
Compilation of Selected Herbal DrugsM G Kalaskar and D G Baheti
Basic Pharmacology and PharmacotherapeuticsDr S K Naik
Health Education & Community PharmacyMurugesh
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D Pharma Syllabus: Projects

All students pursuing D Pharm are required to work on a number of projects during their course duration to successfully complete their degree. These mark the practical learning of the theoretical topics as mentioned in the D Pharma syllabus. D Pharm syllabus projects are mandatory to submit towards the end of the fourth semester, and they assist the students in gaining hands-on experience on the fundamentals of the course perspective.

Some popular projects topics included into the D Pharmacy subjects are listed below:

  • Drug-induced diseases and Teratogenicity
  • Nano-particles containing Anticancer drugs
  • Supercritical Fluid Technology
  • Designing of a polyherbal formulation for metabolic disorder
  • Formulation and Evaluation of colon targeted drug delivery system
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D Pharma Syllabus: How to Prepare?

D Pharma Syllabus: How to Prepare?

D Pharma syllabus preparations require an unparalleled amount of focus and hard work. The D Pharma syllabus curriculum provides an extensive knowledge of the field, making it a great opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of the field. While many are of the opinion that D Pharma Syllabus preparation is somewhat difficult, the overall difficulty of D Pharma Syllabus is moderate.Thus, mentioned below are some tips for D Pharma Syllabus preparations, for students to glance through:

  • One must start preparing for the D Pharma Syllabus as soon as the course curriculum of the academic year is published by the authority. 
  • Unhinged focus and attention to detail are the key concepts to keep in mind while preparing for the D Pharma Syllabus. 
  • One must delve into the D Pharma subjects in detail, in order to grasp the fundamental understanding of the subject.
  • It is advisable to not only blindly refer to the books prescribed by the college authorities alone but to always look out for better D pharmacy syllabus study materials across various other sources as well.
  • One must resolve all queries related to the D Pharma Syllabus prior to appearing for the course examination, to enhance their chances of scoring high marks.
  • Prior to applying for D Pharma admission, candidates must compare the colleges on the basis of their fee structures. There may be a significant difference in the admission fees due to a number of factors such as the candidate’s choice of institution, location of the institution and the NIRF Rankings. 
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FAQs about Diploma in Pharmacy Syllabus

Which is the hardest D Pharmacy Subject?

Some of the difficult D Pharmacy subjects as per the course syllabus are Pharmaceutical Calculations, Pharmacology I and II, Pharmacognosy and Plant Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Microbiology and Public Health.

How many D Pharmacy Subjects are there in 1st Year?

There are six D Pharmacy Subjects in the 1st Year of the course, namely, Pharmaceutics - I, Pharmaceutical Chemistry - I, Pharmacognosy, Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Health Education & community pharmacy.

Is D Pharma hard to study?

Some courses might be difficult but it does not mean it is impossible to crack. Every year number of students get through and becomes registered pharmacists.

What is the scope of D Pharma?

There are plenty of opportunities in the private and government sectors. They can work in Government hospitals or private hospitals, community health centers, private drug stores, etc. 

Which is better B Pharma or D Pharma?

If you wish to pursue entrepreneurship and work in your own pharmacy then a D Pharma program is best suited for you. On the other hand, if you want to pursue research-based jobs and higher education in pharmaceutical science then a B Pharma is the right program for you.

What are the core subjects in D Pharma?

The core subjects in D Pharmacy are Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology.

How do I prepare for D pharma syllabus?

One should have an extensive knowledge of the D Pharma syllabus and prepare according to the marking scheme. Practice, self-test and revision is a great way to complete the entire D Pharma syllabus. One should refer to the best text books and reference books available in the market. 

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