D Pharma, or D Pharm, stands for Diploma in Pharmacy. It is a 2-year undergraduate diploma course that trains students with the required skills and knowledge to pursue a career in pharmacy. The program is designed to lay one’s foundation in pharmaceutical sciences.
D Pharma serves as a gateway to the pharmaceutical industry, offering entry-level job roles and career opportunities for further higher education, such as pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharma) marking for better career prospects.
Topics covered
Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences Meaning
Pharmacy refers to the practice of preparing and supplying medications to patients. It involves the making of medicines, dispensing prescriptions, and counseling patients on the medication use. Pharmaceutical Science, on the other hand, is a broad range of scientific disciplines to study the design, development, manufacture, and use of medications.
D Pharma Course Eligibility
To pursue a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) course, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Qualifying Examination: 10+2 or equivalent with:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology/Mathematics
- English
2. Minimum Marks:
- 45% aggregate marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC)
- 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics
3. Entrance Exam: Some institutions require entrance exams like:
- State-level pharmacy entrance exams
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) or CUET, BITSAT, MHCET, GUJCET
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D Pharma Course Top Colleges/ Universities with Fees
Here are some top colleges/universities for D.Pharma courses in India, along with their fees:
| College/ University | Fees (estimate) |
| Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR) | ₹70,000 – ₹1.5 lakhs per year |
| Bombay College of Pharmacy (BCP) | ₹60,000 – ₹1.2 lakhs per year |
| Pune Institute of Pharmacy (PIP) | ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh per year |
| Andhra University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AUCPS) | ₹40,000 – ₹90,000 per year |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS) | ₹1.5 lakhs – ₹3 lakhs per year |
Explore More About Colleges: Best Pharmacy Colleges in India
Top Institutions Offering D Pharma Programs
- Jamia Hamdard University
- University of Delhi
- Birla Institute of Technology
- Amity University
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Note: The fees may vary depending on the institution and location. It’s advisable to check with the institution directly for the most up-to-date information.
D Pharma Course Syllabus
The syllabus for the D Pharma Course is subject to the guardianship of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) which is also the statutory body governing the pharmacy profession in India. It includes:
First Year D Pharma Course Syllabus:
- Pharmaceutics-I (Theory and Practical)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I (Theory and Practical)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (Theory)
- Biochemistry and Clinical Pathology (Theory)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (Theory)
- Health Education and Community Pharmacy (Theory)
Second Year D Pharma Course Syllabus:
- Pharmaceutics-II (Theory and Practical)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II (Theory and Practical)
- Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (Theory and Practical)
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Theory)
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics (Theory)
- Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy (Theory)
D Pharma Course Scope and Opportunities
With a D Pharma degree, individuals can pursue careers in retail, hospital, and clinical pharmacy, as well as in pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control, and research. The growing emphasis on healthcare and patient care has also created new roles for pharmacists, such as clinical research coordinators and
pharmaceutical managers.
The graph above depicts how there is an evident surge in the salary structure of the D Pharma Course with the increase in the number of years of experience gained in the domain
Moreover, the increasing focus on public health and preventive care has opened up opportunities for pharmacists in government and non-government organizations.
D Pharma Course graduates can pursue their careers as:
- Pharmacists: Dispensing medications and advising patients.
- Medical Store Managers: Manage pharmacies and ensure proper inventory.
- Production Technicians: Working in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Hospital Pharmacists: Providing medication management in healthcare settings.
Conclusion
The D Pharma course has a promising future scope, offering numerous opportunities for growth and development. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to expand, the demand for skilled pharmacists and pharmaceutical professionals is on the rise. However, students can always look for better career prospects like B Pharma in this case. But for those who look forward to becoming job-ready and cultivating relevant skills can surely consider D Pharma.
D Pharma serves as an excellent entry point into the pharmacy profession, offering practical training and theoretical understanding necessary for roles in pharmacies, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. With its relatively short duration and comprehensive curriculum, D Pharma opens up numerous career opportunities and provides a solid base for further education.
Also Read: BPharm Course
FAQs
Which is better, D Pharm or B-Pharm?
If a person wants to get an idea of what a career in pharmacy looks like after the post-graduation, they should then go with B. Pharm. On the other hand, if the individual wishes to start working directly after completing a degree, Pharm. D should be their choice.
Is D Pharma equal to a doctor?
Pharm D course graduates become pharmacists who focus on medications and patient care related to medications, while MBBS graduates become medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of medical conditions. Both roles are essential in providing comprehensive healthcare services.
What is the PharmD salary in India?
The average salary for a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) is around 2 LPA-10 LPA. It depends on the experience, qualifications, and job role. The salary structure varies from state to state and is determined by the government.
Can a girl be a drug inspector?
Individuals can pursue careers as Drug Inspectors, and they are not gender-specific. In India, male and female Drug Inspectors enjoy equal benefits because gender is not a factor in this career.
Prachi, a student pursuing bachelor’s in English and Philosophy from University of Delhi is a knowledge-driven, hardworking individual. Having interest in content writing, research and still exploring other domains, she has a knack for learning.
