Why study pharmacy? Is it a good career option? In today’s time, the field of pharmacy is growing very fast, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for qualified and skilled professionals in this field has increased a lot. The role of pharmacists has become very important in the process of discovery of medicines, manufacture of vaccines and treatment of diseases. In such a situation, if you are looking for a better career after 12th, then pharmacy can be a great option for you.
There are two main undergraduate courses in pharmacy – Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm). Both these courses have their own specialty and the prospects associated with them are also different. Let us know about both these courses in detail so that you can choose the right option for your career.
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) – What is it and why to do it?
Course Information
D.Pharm is a two-year undergraduate diploma course. This course is suitable for students who want to enter the world of pharmacy and get a job quickly. During this course, students are taught basic knowledge of medicines, the art of reading prescriptions, and prescribing over-the-counter medicines.
Eligibility
To get admission in this course, students must have passed 12th with a minimum of 45% marks. Physics and Chemistry are compulsory subjects and Maths or Biology should be optional.
What subjects are taught?
D.Pharm course includes many useful and important subjects, such as:
- Pharmaceutics (drug manufacturing process)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Social Pharmacy (impact of medicine on society)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence (drug law)
- Drug Store and Business Management
Through these subjects, students are given a basic understanding of every area of ​​​​pharmacy.
Career opportunities
- After doing D.Pharm, students become eligible for many jobs, such as:
- Pharmacist: Can work in a hospital or own medical store.
- Quality Assurance Officer: Checking the quality of medicines.
- Medical Transcriptionist: Preparing the doctor’s speech in written form.
Science Officer
Apart from this, students can also become entrepreneurs by opening their own medical store. For example, if you have done D.Pharm, you can start a medical store in your city or village where you can help people by providing the right advice and medicine.
Further studies
Students who want to go deeper into this field can directly enroll in the second year of B.Pharm through lateral entry. This also saves them time and gives them more technical knowledge, which increases their chances of getting a job in big companies.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) – A comprehensive and in-depth course
Course information
B.Pharm is a four-year undergraduate degree program, divided into eight semesters. This course is suitable for students who want to study in-depth in the field of pharmacy and want to move towards research or government jobs.
In this course, students are taught the structure of medicines, manufacturing process, understanding of diseases and the role of pharmaceutical research in their treatment.
Eligibility
To get admission in this course, students need to secure a minimum of 45% marks in Physics and Chemistry along with Maths or Biology in class 12th. Some of the good pharmacy colleges like the leading colleges in Nashik also conduct their own entrance exams and scholarship tests.
What are the subjects taught?
The subjects taught in the B.Pharm course are very broad and in-depth, such as:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
- Pharmaceutics
- Biochemistry
- Computer Applications in Pharmacy
- Environmental Sciences
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Herbal Drug Technology
This course lays great emphasis on theory as well as practical. Students are given practical experience of drug formulation, analysis and testing in modern labs.
Career opportunities
Students pursuing B.Pharm are eligible for a variety of jobs, such as:
- Hospital pharmacist
- Food inspector
- Drug inspector
- Drug researcher
- Analyst
- Government health research officer
- Faculty in a college or university
Having a B.Pharm degree allows you to work in both the government and private sectors. For example, a student can become a research assistant in a reputed company like Cipla or Sun Pharma, while another student can get a job as an inspector in the government drug control department.
Further studies
After B.Pharm, students can pursue courses like M.Tech, M.Pharm or MBA. Students interested in research can also pursue PhD. If your dream is to become a scientist or research new medicines, then this path is open for you.
Conclusion – D.Pharm or B.Pharm, which course is better for you?
Now the question arises which course to choose between D.Pharm and B.Pharm? The answer depends on what you want to achieve in your career.
If you want to work in the field of pharmacy quickly, open your own shop, and complete the course in two years, then D.Pharm is the right choice for you.
But if you want to study in depth, go into research, or pursue a masters or PhD, then B.Pharm is a better option.
Before choosing any course, it is important that you choose a good college. See if the college has modern laboratories, practical training, and placement facilities.
For example, there are many good pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra or Nashik that claim to provide 100% placement and also provide scholarships.
FAQs
1. What is the main difference between D.Pharm and B.Pharm?
D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy) is a 2-year diploma course, while B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) is a 4-year undergraduate degree. B.Pharm provides deeper knowledge and more career opportunities.
2. Which course has better career prospects?
B.Pharm generally offers better career opportunities, including eligibility for roles in research, pharma companies, regulatory affairs, and higher studies like M.Pharm. D.Pharm mostly prepares students for roles as pharmacy technicians or running a retail pharmacy.
3. Can I open a pharmacy with both D.Pharm and B.Pharm?
Yes, both D.Pharm and B.Pharm graduates are eligible to register as pharmacists and open a medical store after registration with the State Pharmacy Council.
4. Is it possible to upgrade from D.Pharm to B.Pharm?
Yes, after completing D.Pharm, students can enter the second year of B.Pharm through lateral entry and continue their education.
5. Which is more expensive – D.Pharm or B.Pharm?
B.Pharm is typically more expensive due to its longer duration and wider curriculum. However, it can lead to higher-paying jobs in the long run.
