Those who have completed senior secondary education or diploma course in Pharmacy can join the Pharm-D course. Admission will based on either qualifying examination or entrance tests like Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET), All India Entrance Test Pharm-D etc. After completing this course, one can pursue their career as Clinical Research Associate or Retail Pharmacy Manager in various pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, CavinKare Private Limited, Pfizer Inc, Dr.Reddy’s laboratories etc.

Admission requirements for Pharm-D Course

Candidates who seek admission to Pharm-D course should pass the final examination of higher secondary course with Mathematics or Biology as compulsory subject. If this is not the case, then they should have Diploma in Pharmacy to join this course. To get admission to certain institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, candidates need to obtain minimum of 45% marks in the subjects selected for higher secondary, diploma or equivalent course. However, the minimum requirement specified for Pharm-D course is a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying examination.

Most of the institutes give admission to Pharm –D course on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance test held by the concerned University/College/Autonomous Institution. Amrita Viswavidyapeeth Pharm-D entrance examination, Manipal University Online Entrance Test and Engineering, All India Entrance Test Pharm-D, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) are some of the popular entrance tests. If the candidates seek admission through management quota, then they need not appear for the entrance test. Admission to management seats will be based on qualifying examination. Candidates can get admission into the seats under government or management quota on the basis of their marks in qualifying examination.

Career Avenues after Pharma-D Course

Job profiles available in pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, CavinKare Private Limited, Pfizer Inc, Dr.Reddy’s laboratories, Cadilla Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lupin Pharmaceuticals etc. are

• Retail Pharmacist
• Clinical Research Associate
• Retail Pharmacy Manager

Retail Pharmacist can earn a salary between Rs. 80, 000/- and Rs. 1, 80, 000/- per annum. Salary offered for Clinical Research Associate will be in the range of Rs. 1, 00, 000/- to Rs. 3, 00, 000/- per annum. Retail Pharmacy Manager can earn a salary up to Rs. 4, 00, 000/- per annum.

Those who have completed Pharm-D course can look for the following job profiles in various hospitals

• Hospital Pharmacy Director
• Hospital Staff Pharmacist
• Clinical Pharmacist

Remuneration offered for a Hospital Staff Pharmacist is between Rs. 50, 000/- and Rs. 2, 00, 000/- per annum while a Hospital Pharmacy Director can earn up to Rs. 5, 00, 000/- per annum. Clinical Pharmacist can draw a salary in the range of Rs. 70, 000/- to Rs. 1, 40, 000/- per annum.