D. Pharm vs. B. Pharm – If you are interested in medical science, research and social service, then the field of pharmacy can prove to be a great career option for you. In today’s times, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, the pharmacy sector has seen tremendous growth. As the demand for effective vaccines and medicines suddenly increased, the need for skilled pharmacists was also felt at the same pace. This is why now a large number of students are interested in taking admission in this field.
After studying pharmacy, you are not limited to medical stores only, but can also make a great career in hospitals, research labs, government institutions and pharma industry. Let us know what are the major courses in this field, and what possibilities can be created for you through them.
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)
Program description:
This is a 2-year undergraduate diploma course, which can be done after 12th class. In this course, students are given basic information about pharmaceutical science. They are taught how to read a doctor’s prescription, and how to give over-the-counter medicines based on common symptoms.
Eligibility:
- It is mandatory to pass 12th class with at least 45% marks.
- Physics and Chemistry should be compulsory subjects, while Maths or Biology should be optional.
Major Subjects:
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Social Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy
- Drug Store and Business Management
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
Career Prospects:
After completing this diploma course, students can work in the following positions:
- Pharmacist
- Quality Assurance Officer
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Science Officer
Apart from this, you can also move towards self-employment by opening your own medical store.
Further Studies:
After D.Pharm, students can continue their studies by taking lateral entry directly in the second year of B.Pharm. This gives them a chance to get better jobs and gain experience of working in the industry.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
Program Details:
It is a four-year undergraduate degree course, divided into eight semesters. This course provides in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences, including the structure, manufacturing, research and efficacy of drugs. Students also learn how to diagnose and make medicines to treat diseases.
Eligibility:
- Must have passed class 12th with a minimum of 45% marks.
- Physics and Chemistry should be compulsory subjects, and Mathematics or Biology should be optional.
- Some colleges also conduct entrance tests or scholarship exams at their own level.
Major Subjects:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
- Pharmaceutics I
- Biochemistry
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Herbal Drug Technology
- Computer Applications in Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Career Prospects:
B.Pharm degree holders can work in the following fields:
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Drug Inspector
- Food Inspector
- Pharma Researcher
- Analyst
Teacher in Private Colleges/Universities
Government research institutes, multinational pharma companies and big hospitals give preference to these degree holders in recruitment.
Further Studies:
After B.Pharm, students can pursue postgraduate courses like M.Pharm or M.Tech. If there is a keen interest in research, they can also do PhD, which gives them more opportunities in the field of education and research.
Latest Updates: Future of Pharmacy and Increasing Demand
India’s growth rate in the pharmaceutical sector is expected to reach 9.5% by 2025. Due to the government’s schemes like “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, new factories and research labs are now opening in the pharmaceutical industry, due to which job opportunities are increasing rapidly.
Apart from this, the role of pharmacists is no longer limited to drug distribution. They have also become active in areas like clinical trials, research and development, biotechnology, and pharmacovigilance. Especially the integration of pharmacy with AI and data analytics is giving rise to new job roles.
Conclusion
Whether you do D.Pharm or B.Pharm, both courses are great in their own way. If you want to start working early and open your own medical store, then D.Pharm can be a better option. But if you are eyeing research, higher education and better jobs in multinational companies, then B.Pharm will be more suitable for you.
Before choosing any course, make sure that the college or university has good lab facilities, industry interface, and 100% placement assistance. Studying in the right institute can take your career to new heights.
