Do developments in pharmaceutical science interest you? Do you want to contribute to drug development? If yes, then your heart and mind want you to pursue pharmacy courses. From discovering new medications to making them available to patients, pharmacists do it all. Remember, pharmaceutics is an integral part of the healthcare industry and an exciting profession to be in.
While the study of clinical pharmacy dates back a few hundred years, with changing trends and technology, it is quickly developing into a very interesting career to follow. The involvement of top universities offering varied pharmacy courses and top multinational companies funding research and development, pharmacy courses ensure lucrative jobs too.
Read further to better understand how pharmacy courses can help you gain the required fitness to serve the pharmaceutical industry.
Top Indian universities/ colleges that offer pharmacy courses |
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National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali |
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National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad |
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Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi |
After obtaining a B. Pharm degree or graduation from any of the other pharmacy courses, aspirants can look forward to a world of opportunities, including:
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Marketing: There is a big scope in the sales department of pharmaceutical companies developing tools and machines for research. These companies hire graduates of pharmacy courses for the marketing and sales of their products as medical representatives, project managers, etc. Having a Pharmaceutical MBA in this field is always an added advantage. |
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Clinical research: Many pharmaceutical companies hire B. Pharm pass outs or graduates of other pharmacy courses as lab employees. Also, B. Pharm graduates who show an inclination towards medical analysis and development can find jobs as assistants in the R&D departments. |
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Contract Research Organization (CRO): These companies provide support to pharmaceutical giants like biotechnology firms and medical device manufacturers in the form of research services and outsourced manpower on a contractual basis. A CRO offers various services, including biopharmaceutical development, biologic assay development, commercialization, preclinical and clinical research, clinical trials management, and pharmacovigilance. |
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Drug Production: Many pharmaceutical firms hire B. Pharm pass outs or graduates of other pharmacy courses to monitor each and every stage of drug production carefully. |
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Cosmetics: There is a huge demand for B. Pharm pass outs or graduates of other pharmacy courses in the ever-growing cosmetic market. |
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Quality control: The pharmaceutical industry needs B. Pharm pass outs to continuously develop, apply, revise, and maintain quality standards for processing materials into partially finished or finished products. |
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Scientists: B. Pharm graduates can also be hired as scientists in R&D, and Formulating and Development departments. |
Master’s Degree in Pharmacy - M. Pharm pass outs can serve as the following:
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Lecturer/Professor |
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Medical Transcriptionist |
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Business Development Executive |
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Healthcare Unit Manager |
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Customs Officer |
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Marketing Manager/Executive |
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Analytical Chemist |
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Lab Technician |
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Drug Inspector |
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Research Associate |
Though the demand for pharmacy graduates is rising rapidly across government departments, teaching institutes, hospitals, research centres, and drug and cosmetic manufacturers, candidates enrolling into pharmacy courses will further benefit if they possess the following:
For a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm), which is the most primary course out of all the pharmacy courses, one should have passed grade 12 exams with a minimum score of 50 percent in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics.
For admission to B. Pharm, the majority of colleges and universities in India which offer pharmacy courses conduct a common entrance test, which generally consists of questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and English, as well as logical reasoning.
After the test, shortlisted candidates are usually required to clear a group discussion or a personal interview round. The most desirable candidates are then selected on the basis of their overall performance during the entire admission procedure.
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Course |
Duration |
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Undergraduate diploma in pharmacy |
2 years |
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Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm) (full-time) |
4 years |
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Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm) (lateral entry) |
3 years |
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Course |
Fee Structure (INR) |
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Undergraduate Diploma in Pharmacy |
95,000 |
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Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm) Lateral entry |
6.4 lacs |
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Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm) Full-time |
8.5 lacs |
For Master’s degree in Pharmacy (M. Pharm), one should have passed B. Pharm or any one of the other pharmacy courses with not less than 50 percent marks.
For admission to the postgraduate degree in Clinical Research, graduates and postgraduates both can apply.
For a postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in pharmacy, graduates and postgraduates specialised in the field of healthcare, pharmacy, microbiology, advanced sciences, medicine and dentistry can apply.
For Master of Science (Pharmacy), a candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree.
For Master of Business Management (Pharmacy), Science and Mathematics graduates can apply.
For Master’s degree in Pharmacy (M. Pharm), an entrance exam (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test - GPAT) followed by an interview is conducted.
For Master of Business Management (Pharmacy), candidates need to clear a Common Entrance Test.
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Course |
Duration |
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Master’s degree in Pharmacy (M. Pharm) |
2 years spread over 4 semesters (one-year research and one-year theory) |
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Postgraduate degree in Clinical Research |
1 year |
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Postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in pharmacy |
1 year |
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Master of Science (Pharmacy) |
2 to 3 years |
The average tuition fees for the postgraduate pharmacy courses range from INR 50,000 to INR 1 lac in government colleges, and INR 2 lacs to 5 lacs in private colleges. In addition, the cost of living on campus while completing any of the pharmacy courses may vary according to the institution.
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Course |
Fee Structure (INR) |
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Postgraduate degree in Clinical Research |
INR 20,000 with an additional cost of INR 400 per exam. Also, service tax is applicable as per government regulations |
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Postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property Rights (Pharmacy) |
INR 17,500 at the beginning and an additional INR 300 per module at the time of appearing for the exam |
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Master of Science (Pharma) |
INR 50,000 per semester(may increase depending on the module chosen by the student |
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Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Pharmaceutical chemistry is one considered to be pharmaceutical, with deep roots in the chemistry and Sciences border with Pharmacology, studying the design, synthesis and development of molecules with biological activity and drugs for therapeutic purposes. |
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Pharmaceutical Technology: The application of scientific knowledge or technology to pharmacy, pharmacology, and the pharmaceutical industry. |
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Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance: Pharmaceutical analysis by definition deals with the analysis of drugs, pharmaceutical substances and raw materials. |
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Clinical Pharmacy: Clinical Pharmacy is a health science discipline in which pharmacists provide patient care that optimises medication therapy and promotes health, wellness, and disease prevention. |
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Pharmaceutics: Pharmaceutics is the discipline of pharmacy that deals with the process of turning a new chemical entity (NCE) or old drugs into a medication to be used safely and effectively by patients. It is also called the science of dosage form design. |