Pharmacy is a
profession in the healthcare sector that links health sciences with
chemical sciences to ensure the safe dispensing and effective use of
pharmaceutical drugs. The scope of pharmacy includes traditional
roles such as dispensing medicines as well as modern services related
to healthcare including clinical services, reviewing medications for
safety and efficacy and drug information. Pharmacy
colleges in India focus on equipping their students to do all
the above and more.
Several pharmacy
degree programs are offered in India such as :
diploma in pharmacy , bachelor of pharmacy , master of
pharmacy, master of science in pharmacy and master of technology in
pharmacy, doctor of pharmacy . Some of the best
pharmacy colleges in Bangalore offer the above
specializations.
Entry
qualifications and eligibility criteria for pharmacy colleges differ
across states in India.
Diploma in
Pharmacy (D Pharm Program)
Admission to the
first year of D Pharm program in India is based on the performance of
an applicant in the higher secondary examination. The D Pharm
curriculum is framed under the education regulations of the Pharmacy
Act. The current regulations were framed way back in 1991 and are
followed all across the country.
Bachelor Of
Pharmacy (B. Pharm Program)
Admission to the
first year of this program is made directly from higher secondary
school on the basis of marks obtained in the higher secondary
examination or the entrance exam conducted by a college. The course
involves four years of study and B. Pharm students are eligible to
apply to a M. Pharm degree.
Master Of
Pharmacy (M. Pharm Program)
The criteria for
admission to M. Pharm program is performance in B. Pharm or an
entrance level examination. This course is in high demand across the
country. It is a two year long course, of which the second year is
devoted to research leading to a dissertation in any pharmaceutical
discipline.
Doctor Of
Pharmacy (Pharm D Program)
Admission to this
program is based on the successful completion of the higher secondary
examination or the D Pharm program. B. Pharm degree students can join
this program in the fourth year. This course has the longest duration
of six years and was introduced in 2008 with the aim of producing
pharmacists who have received extensive training in practice sites
and can provide pharmaceutical care to patients.