Pharm.D Frequently Asked Questions (PharmD FAQs)
Things to know before taking admission in Pharm.D (PharmD FAQs)
1. What is Pharm.D ?
Doctor of Pharmacy also termed as “Pharm.D “. It is professional Pharmacy Doctoral programme. It is 6 years integrated postgraduate doctoral course which includes 1 year compulsory rotatory internship. To know more about Pharm.D, Click here…
2. How long does it take to earn a Pharm.D degree?
3. Is there any specific all India level entrance exam for Pharm.D?
Till now there is no specific All India level entrance exam for Pharm.D.
Colleges and Universities conduct their own entrance exam or selection is based on merit level.
However for some government colleges, NEET or State level entrance exams marks are considered for admission to Pharm.D course.
Click here to see the list of colleges according to state with distance difference from hospital.
4. What is the eligiblity criteria to join Pharm.D in India ?
Pharm.D Eligibility:
- A pass in any of the following examinations –
• 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with one of the following subjects: Mathematics or Biology, OR
• A pass in D. Pharm course from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under section 12 of the Pharmacy Act, OR
• Any other qualification approved by the Pharmacy Council of India as equivalent to any of the above examinations. - Provided that a student should complete the age of 17 years on or before 31st December of the year of admission to the course.
- There shall be reservation of seats for the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in accordance with the instructions issued by the Central Government/State Government/Union Territory Administration from time to time.
5. How many seats are available in the Pharm.D program each year?
6. Is NEET required for admission in Pharm.D?
Yes NEET is required, but for government colleges only (which are a few in number).
7. After D.Pharm, can i do Pharm.D, is there any lateral entry?
Yes of course, you can take admission in Pharm.D if you have completed your D.Pharm.
However, there is no lateral entry after D.Pharm to the course, you will have to take admission from the very 1st year of Pharm.D.
Check for PharmD FAQs -4 for the eligibility criteria.
8. Can I prefix "Dr" to my name after completion of Pharm.D?
Yes. According to Pharm.D regulations 2008, and Notice with Ref.No.14-126/2012-PCI/46595-618 ,Dated: 16th Feburary 2012 a student who has completed his Pharm.D degree must be awarded with “Dr” prefix .
9. What if I already have a related graduate or professional degree ,and I wish to join Pharm.D?
Check for eligibility criteria in PharmD FAQs -4 . If you are eligible according to the criteria you will be able to get admission in Pharm.D PB or Pharm.D course from the beginning of 1st year.
10. Is Pharm.D a registrable qualification?
Yes , Pharm.D passed out students are registered in separate register by the council, according to the PCI Notice Dated : 19/06/2012
11. What is the average fees of Pharm.D course ?
Average fees ranges approx 1.5 lac to 3.0 lac per year in private and unaided colleges.
However the government colleges fees are relatively low and ranges around 50,000 per year.
*These are approximate data, actual fees may vary from college to college.
12. What are the subjects in Pharm.D ?
Pharm.D syllabus comprises of:
- Human anatomy and physiology, Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Remidial Mathematics/ Biology
- Pathophysiology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals, Pharmacology-I, Community Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapeutics-I
- Pharmacology-II, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacotherapeutics-II, Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Formulations
- Pharmacotherapeutics-III, Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, Biostatistics & Research Methodology, Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, Clinical Toxicology
- Clinical Research, Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics, Clinical Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacotherapeutic Drug Monitoring, Clerkship, Project Work (Six months)
- Internship : 6 months in general medicine and two months each in 3 other speciality departments.
13. Which is the best college for Pharm.D in India ?
JSSAHER is one of the pioneer colleges that started Pharm.D education in India. However, you can see a list of top ranked colleges enlisted for Pharm.D. Click to view the list.
14. Are Pharm.D doctors eligible to write prescription?
Asking for Indian scenario,then its absolutely no.
*Pharm.D associations and even the Central Council has suggested MOHFW to allow Pharm.D for treatment for minor ailments and to allow follow up in case of chronic diseases etc,. Matter is under consideration till now.
However in some developed countries Pharm.D doctors are there to suggest or write prescription after the diagnosis portion is over by the physicians.
15. Which is the regulating body of Pharm.D in India?
Pharmacy Council Of India (PCI) solely regulates Pharm.D education in India.
**However, a small issue raised between AICTE and PCI for the regulation of the course curriculum, but the apex court turned his back to AICTE and allowed PCI to have the whole & sole responsibility of Pharm.D education.
16. Is Pharm.D considered a master's degree?
Yes , Pharm.D is considered a Master’s degree in India.
17. Is Pharm.D, the best alternative ?
Indeed Pharm.D is a good course to pursue.
But, asking of the best alternative , totally depends upon your field of interest, as the option will vary from individual to individual point of perspective.
18. Is Pharm.D a good course?
Indeed Pharm.D is a good course to pursue .
19. Is Pharm.D in India, valid in other countries like USA/UK?
Yes ,there is no limitations like B.Pharm and M.Pharm that thay have to face while facing to different countries.
The Pharm.D degree is considered and valid in other developed and developing countries.
20. What can a Pharm.D do that a registered medical practitioner (clinicians/ medical doctors) can't?
Job roles of Pharm.D doctors or Clinical Pharmacists is not limited to patient counselling about various drug use , its effects and adverse effects but they vary from monitoring ADRs to monitoring various prescribing errors in the healthcare setup.
They are responsible for
Apart from the diagnosis portion, a Pharm.D doctor is capable to manage chronic pharmacotherapeutic cases more effectively than anyone else, as observed under various scenarios from different countries.
21. What can a Pharm.D do that other Pharmacy professionals can't ?
Pharm.D doctors or Clinical Pharmacists collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals for better patient care by ensuring compliance of all clinical and pharmaceutical procedures by analyzing all laboratory data and procedures that should/are being introduced to the patient. Also, helps in better patient compliance and protects from several unknowing drug resistance, side effects, adverse events and hence reducing mortality and becomes barrier between patient and his/her increasing severe condition.
These roles makes Pharm.D doctors apart from other Pharmacy Professionals.
22. Can a Diploma holder pharmacist, pursue Pharm.D while being in service?
Yes, A diploma holder pharmacist can pursue Pharm.D and he will be granted with study leave while he is in-service to pursue the higher qualification like Pharm.D.
1. What is Pharm.D PB?
Pharm.D PB or Pharm.D Post Baccalaureate is a post graduate Pharmacy doctoral program. It is 3 years course which includes 1 year compulsory rotatory internship..
To know more about Pharm.D PB, Click here…
2. How long does it take to earn a Pharm.D PB degree?
It takes 3 professional years.
2 years of which is academic years and the 3rd year is the internship period. To know more about Pharm.D PB, Click here…
3. Is there any specific all india level entrance exam for Pharm.D PB?
Till now there is no specific All India level entrance exam for Pharm.D PB.
Colleges and Universities conduct their own entrance exam or selection is based on merit level.
However for some government colleges, NEET or State level entrance exams marks are considered for admission to Pharm.D PB course.
4. What is the eligiblity criteria to join Pharm.D PB in India ?
Pharm.D PB Eligibility:
• A pass in B.Pharm from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under section 12 of the Pharmacy Act.
• There shall be reservation of seats for the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in accordance with the instructions issued by the Central Government/State Government/Union Territory Administration from time to time.
5. How many seats are available in the Pharm.D PB program each year?
A total of 10 seats per college ( those colleges which are affiliated for Pharm.D) is approved by Pharmacy Council of India.
6. Can I prefix "Dr" to my name after completion of Pharm.D PB?
Yes. According to Pharm.D regulations 2008, and Notice with Ref.No.14-126/2012-PCI/46595-618 ,Dated: 16th Feburary 2012 a student who has completed his Pharm.D degree must be awarded with “Dr” prefix .
7. What if I already have a related graduate or professional degree ,and I wish to join Pharm.D PB?
Check for eligibility : FAQ 4 of Pharm.D PB
No other graduate candidates are allowed for Pharm.D PB.
8. Is Pharm.D or Pharm.D PB a registrable qualification?
Yes , Pharm.D passed out students are registered in separate register by the council, according to the PCI Notice Dated : 19/06/2012
9. What is the average fees of Pharm.D PB course?
Average fees ranges approx 1.9 lac to 4.0 lac per year in private and unaided colleges.
*These are approximate data, actual fees may vary from college to college.
10. How long will it take to study Pharm.D if I already have a B.Pharm/BS Pharm degree ?
You are not extraordinary , 3 years is the completion time for Pharm.D PB and it applies to you also.