Pharmacy Courses After 12th: High Salary Jobs & Scope

Last Updated on July 31, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Have you passed 10+2? Are you interested in pursuing a good pharmacy course? If yes, this article will be of help to you! Here, I’ve listed down some of the best pharmacy courses available in India after 12th.

In India, Pharmacy courses are available in the following main formats –

• Diploma courses
• Bachelor’s Degree courses
• Master’s Degree courses
• Doctoral Degree courses

10+2 Science stream passed students are eligible to pursue job oriented Degree and Diploma courses related to Pharmacy. In this article, I’ve listed these courses down.   Before heading to the meat of the matter – list of Pharmacy courses after 12th – let us check out some basic facts about pharmacy and pharmacy courses. Here they are –   Pharmacy courses focus on topics such as – focuses on the study of biology, pharmaceutical chemistry (inorganic, physical and organic), biochemistry, medicines, physiology, pharmacology, dispensing etc. It trains students in the above mentioned areas and turn them into skilled pharmacy professionals!   Syllabus may vary from one pharmacy course to another. The core syllabus consists of subjects such as –

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic and Physical)
• Dispensing and General Pharmacy
• Human Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Pharmaceutics
• Health Education
• Clinical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Come, let us check out the different types of pharmacy courses in India. Here they are –

List of pharmacy courses in India

Sr No	Name of the course	Type of the course
1	B.Pharm. (Bachelor of Pharmacy)	Bachelor’s Degree
2	B.Pharm. (Lateral Entry)	Bachelor’s Degree
3	Pharm D	Doctoral Degree
4	B.Pharm. (Ayurveda)	Bachelor’s Degree
5	Diploma in Pharmacy	Diploma
6	Diploma in Ayurveda Pharmacy	Diploma
7	Diploma in Homeopathy Pharmacy	Diploma
8	Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate)	Doctoral Degree
9	M.Pharm. (Master of Pharmacy)	Master’s Degree
10	PhD	Doctor of Philosophy

List of pharmacy courses after 12th

1. B.Pharm. (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
2. B.Pharm. (Lateral Entry)
3. Pharm D
4. B.Pharm. (Ayurveda)
5. Diploma in Pharmacy
6. Diploma in Ayurveda Pharmacy
7. Diploma in Homeopathy Pharmacy

1 B.Pharm. (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

B.Pharm. stands for Bachelor of Pharmacy. It is a Bachelor’s Degree pharmaceutical science program. B.Pharm. is the most popular UG level pharmacy courses in India!   B.Pharm. course belongs to the UG academic level. UG stands for undergraduate level. Let us find out details such as eligibility criteria and duration. Here it is –   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – passed 12th Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Biology subjects from a recognized board. Minimum aggregate marks required could be 45-50% marks (may vary from one institute to another). Candidates possessing an equivalent diploma are also eligible to pursue B.Pharm. course.   Duration: B.Pharm. course is four years long.   B.Pharm. curriculum gives adequate importance to classroom lectures as well as lab (practical) classes. Pharmaceutical science is a discipline that involves tons of practical work, chemistry lab sessions and other kind of practical work.   The curriculum covers important subjects such as – human anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutical analysis, communication skills, pharmaceutics, personality development, inorganic chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical engineering, computer applications, biochemistry, environmental science, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, industrial pharmacy, methods of analysis, drug quality assurance, novel drug delivery systems, pharmacy practice and more.   Most of the colleges follow semester system of education. Under this system, each academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester is six months long.

2 B.Pharm. (Lateral Entry)

B.Pharm. (Lateral Entry) is an undergraduate level pharmacy education program. This is a Bachelor’s Degree program.   This lateral entry program has been crafted keeping the needs of diploma in Pharmacy qualified candidates in mind! Yes, candidates who have completed Diploma in Pharmacy program are eligible to pursue this course.   Through this program, a diploma holder may pursue an advanced B.Pharm. program. This will help him/her acquire advanced skills, knowledge as well as pick up an advanced degree!   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed Diploma in Pharmacy from a college or institute approved and recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India.   Duration: B.Pharm (Lateral Entry) program is three years long.   Just like the regular B.Pharm. course, the lateral entry program too gives much importance to classroom lectures and practical lessons. The program consists of ample amount of practical classes (lab sessions). Here are some of the main subjects present in the curriculum –   Human anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutical analysis, communication skills, pharmaceutics, personality development, inorganic chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical engineering, computer applications, biochemistry, environmental science, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, industrial pharmacy, methods of analysis, drug quality assurance, novel drug delivery systems, pharmacy practice and more.

3 Pharm D

Pharm D stands for Doctor of Pharmacy. Going by the name of this program and the format of the degree, it is safe to say that Pharm D is a Doctoral Degree program in the field of pharmacy. Technically speaking, candidates who have passed 12th standard with science stream subjects are eligible to pursue this course!   Regular pharmacy courses like B.Pharm., D.Pharm. and B.Pharm. (Lateral Entry) don’t focus exclusively on the clinical side of pharmaceutical science! But Pharm D program is focused on the clinical side of pharmaceutical science.   This program gives much importance to clinical pharmacy services. In other words, after completing this course, one may even apply for jobs that require close contact with the patient.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 12th standard with Science stream subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology) from a recognized board.   Duration: Pharm D course is six years long. The program consists of five years of classroom lectures and one year of compulsory internship.   The curriculum covers important subjects such as – human anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutics, medicinal biochemistry, pharmaceutical organic chemistry, pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry, mathematics/biology, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical formulations, pharmaceutical analysis, community pharmacy, pharmacotherapeutics, clinical pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, clinical toxicology, clinical research, project work and more.

4 B.Pharm. (Ayurveda)

This is a Bachelor’s Degree program. Without any doubts, this academic program belongs to the undergraduate academic level.   As the name suggests, this B.Pharm. program deals with the field of ayurveda. This program primarily deals with aspects such as – ayurvedic formulations, quality control, ayurvedic medicine manufacturing etc.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 12th standard with Science stream subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology from a recognized board or possess equivalent qualification.   Duration: B.Pharm. (Ayurveda) course is four years long.   The program deals with subjects such as – Sanskrit, pharmaceutical organic chemistry, pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry, basics of ayurveda, rasa shastra, dravyaguna vijnana, pharmacognosy (ayurvedic drugs), pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical engineering, dosha, dhatu, mala vijnana, pharmaceutical analysis of ayurvedic drugs, toxicology of ayurvedic drugs, pharmaceutical microbiology and more.

5 Diploma in Pharmacy

As the name suggests, this is a diploma program that is related to the field of pharmaceutical science. When compared to B.Pharm., this program relatively shorter. This program is well known as D.Pharm.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 12th standard with Science stream subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology from a recognized board or possess equivalent qualification approved by the Pharmacy Council of India.   Duration: D.Pharm. course is two years long.   D.Pharm. curriculum covers the following main subjects – pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacognosy, biochemistry, clinical pathology, human anatomy and physiology, community pharmacy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology & toxicology, drug store management, clinical pharmacy and more.

6 Diploma in Ayurveda Pharmacy

It is a diploma course. This program primarily deals with aspects such as – ayurvedic formulations, quality control, ayurvedic medicine manufacturing etc.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 10th standard from a recognized board or possess equivalent qualification.   Duration: D.Pharm. (Ayurveda) course is two years long.   The program deals with subjects such as – Sanskrit, pharmaceutical organic chemistry, pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry, basics of ayurveda, rasa shastra, dravyaguna vijnana, pharmacognosy (ayurvedic drugs), pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical engineering, dosha, dhatu, mala vijnana, pharmaceutical analysis of ayurvedic drugs, toxicology of ayurvedic drugs, pharmaceutical microbiology and more.

7 Diploma in Homeopathy Pharmacy

This program is well known as DHP course. It is a diploma course. The program deals with homeopathy system of treatment.   Homeopathy system uses the concept of – like cures like. DHP program deals with preparing homeopathic medicine. It covers aspects such as – collecting raw materials, compounding, combining, preparing, standardizing and dispensing homeopathic medicine.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 12th standard from a recognized board or possess an equivalent qualification.   Duration: DHP course is two years long.

List of pharmacy courses after graduation

1. Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate)
2. M.Pharm. (Master of Pharmacy)

1 Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate)

As I mentioned before, Pharm D is a Doctoral Degree program. But Pharm D (Post Baccalaureate) program is slightly different from the regular Pharm D program.   Candidates who have completed B.Pharm. course are eligible to pursue Pharm D (PB) course. In other words, this program has been crafted keeping the needs of B.Pharm. graduates in mind! Pharm D (PB) course is three years long.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed B.Pharm. course from a recognized college or university (approved by the Pharmacy Council of India).   Duration: Pharm D (PB) program is three years long.

2 M.Pharm. (Master of Pharmacy)

M.Pharm. stands for Master of Pharmacy. It is a Master’s Degree pharmacy education program. The course duration is two years. Candidates who have completed B.Pharm. program are eligible to pursue this course.   In other words, M.Pharm. is a postgraduate level pharmacy education program. Let us check out the course-details.   Eligibility criteria: Minimum educational qualification required is – completed B.Pharm. from a recognized college or university (approved by the Pharmacy Council of India).   Duration: M.Pharm. course is two years long.   M.Pharm. is a PG level pharmacy education program. The curriculum deals with advanced subjects and classes. It is a specialization program. In other words, M.Pharm. programs have been crafted to help you specialize in a specific branch of pharmaceutical science.   Some such specialization programs are –

• M.Pharm. Phytopharmacy and Phytomedicine
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutics
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutical Technology
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• M.Pharm. Industrial Pharmacy
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• M.Pharm. Pharmaceutical Analysis

List of PhD pharmacy programs

PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy program. It is a research-oriented program. A PhD program involves lot of research work, thesis and learning of advanced concepts. PhD candidates usually work under the guidance of skilled guides (who are usually qualified academicians and researchers).   Eligibility criteria: In order to be considered eligible, a candidate must have completed relevant Master’s Degree program (like M.Pharm.) from a college/institute/university approved by the Pharmacy Council of India. Selection is made on the basis of research entrance exam or other relevant entrance exam.   Duration: PhD program lasts for a period of three years.   A PhD program usually revolves around a particular area of specialization. Here are some such notable areas –

• Pharmacy practice
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Jobs, scope & salary

Here are some of the notable recruiters –

• Hospitals and Clinics (Government and Private)
• Medical Shop chains (the likes of Apollo Pharmacy)
• State wise Drugs and Pharmaceutical Boards
• Sun Pharmaceuticals
• Abbott India
• Cipla
• Biocon
• GlaxoSmithKline India
• Research bodies and labs

In the above mentioned firms, pharmacy graduates may don the following roles –

• Pharmacist
• Medical representative
• Scientist (Research field)
• Teacher (Junior Lecturer)
• Quality Control Officer
• Clinical Research professional
• Drug Inspector
• Marketing professional

In short, pharmacists are hired by government agencies/departments, private hospitals, drug stores, pharmaceutical companies, pharma R&D firms etc. Apart from that, they may also start their own drug store.   In short, pharmacy graduates have access to government jobs, private sector jobs and self-employment opportunities. If you have completed M.Pharm. program, you may become a lecturer after completing relevant entrance examination.   Similarly, if you have completed relevant PhD program, you may become an academician or enter the R&D sector. In short, job opportunities may also rely on your educational qualification! If you are a diploma holder, you may get an entry level job. If you are a Pharm D degree holder, you may get better clinical pharmacy based jobs!   Starting salary depends upon factors such as – your academic qualification, profile of the employer, job location and status/rating of your college. On an average, B.Pharm. graduates may earn around 25-50K INR per month. These are just average figures though. Candidates possessing higher degree or qualification may get a significantly better salary package.