A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the safe and effective use of medications. They dispense prescriptions, provide information on drug interactions and side effects, offer advice on over-the-counter medications, and play a vital role in promoting patient health and medication safety.
To become a pharmacist in India, follow these abbreviated steps:
Education: Complete a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program or a 2-year Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) after 10+2.
Registration: After graduating, register with the State Pharmacy Council.
Internship: Undertake a compulsory internship or apprenticeship, usually lasting 6 months to 1 year.
Pharmacy Council of India: If you intend to practice in India, you must also register with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
Licensing Exam: Prepare for and pass the Pharmacists' Qualification Exam conducted by the PCI.
Optional Postgraduate Study: Consider pursuing a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) for specialization or research.
To become a pharmacist in India, follow these abbreviated steps:
Education: Complete a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program or a 2-year Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) after 10+2.
Registration: After graduating, register with the State Pharmacy Council.
Internship: Undertake a compulsory internship or apprenticeship, usually lasting 6 months to 1 year.
Pharmacy Council of India: If you intend to practice in India, you must also register with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
Licensing Exam: Prepare for and pass the Pharmacists' Qualification Exam conducted by the PCI.
Optional Postgraduate Study: Consider pursuing a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) for specialization or research.
To enrol in a pharmacy undergraduate program, you typically need to complete your higher secondary or 10+2 in the science stream. You can choose from a combination of different science subjects like physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics to meet the application requirement of most undergraduate programs.
Diploma in Pharmacy (DPharm)
DPharm is a two-year diploma course with a minimum requirement of 10+2 in the science stream. If you wish to open your pharmacy or drug store, you should at least have a diploma.
If you want to work for the top pharmaceutical companies, you require a bachelor's degree. It is a four-year course with a minimum requirement of 10+2 in the science stream. To get admission in colleges offering the BPharm degree, you may have to pass different entrance exams based on the college or university you are applying to.
After completing your 10+2, you can enrol in a six-year Pharm.D course. The course includes five years of clinical and community-based theoretical study and one year of internship in hospitals.
Those who pursue a BPharm degree are eligible to do MPharm. A master's degree will help you get into the research and development field. Also, this degree requires you to specialise in one particular area of pharmacy.
Candidates with a BPharm degree from an institute recognised by the PCI are eligible for this course. Completing the post-baccalaureate course will help you advance your professional skills and help you get into clinical practice and research.
While pursuing a PhD is an optional step, it is a good decision for those who show an inclination toward the research side. The minimum eligibility criteria for gaining admission in PhD is a master's degree in pharmacy.
In addition to the above qualifications, a pharmacist has to obtain a state licence before working. For becoming a registered pharmacist, you have to apply to your respective state's pharmacy council for a licence. The eligibility requirement and procedures vary from state to state.
Pharmacy graduates can work in several different industries such as sales, marketing, research and development, manufacturing, quality check, education, etc.
Still confused to choose right career for you ? Contact our Career Counsellors and choose best suited career for you.
