All you need to know about Pharm.D in India.
Disclaimer: These are my views/opinions/suggestions.
The primary focus of this article is on the Pharm.D program (doctor of pharmacy)
however other pharmacy degree students may benefit as well from certain sections.
however other pharmacy degree students may benefit as well from certain sections.
Pharm.D
Pharm.D aka Doctor of Pharmacy aka Pharmaciae Doctor :
Pharm.D is a 6 Years (5+1) degree program wherein the final year is an internship of rotating type
in a hospital set up.
in a hospital set up.
Further information here at the following link about subjects evaluation etc:
http://www.pci.nic.in/pdf/PharmD-Revised-A.pdf
http://www.pci.nic.in/pdf/PharmD-Revised-A.pdf
First and foremost: IT IS NOT A PhD, IT IS NOT A RESEARCH DOCTORATE of any kind and no
IT IS NOT AN INTEGRATED COURSE either. When one does an integrated course you get two degrees, usually one bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree.
IT IS NOT AN INTEGRATED COURSE either. When one does an integrated course you get two degrees, usually one bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree.
Pharm.D is equivalent to a master’s degree there is no Bachelors component to it. For this degree,
those who have completed their 10+2, i.e. (undergraduates) are eligible to apply via the same entrance exam as the B.pharm one at respective universities.
those who have completed their 10+2, i.e. (undergraduates) are eligible to apply via the same entrance exam as the B.pharm one at respective universities.
On completion of the course, you will receive just ONE degree of Pharm.D which is like a master ’s degree so you will be a postgraduate. You will skip the bachelor’s all together. This is the only degree in India where such a thing happens.
Those universities that offer this course are required to have a hospital or a tie-up with a hospital as this
is a hospital-centric course (on paper, in reality, we are not there yet).
is a hospital-centric course (on paper, in reality, we are not there yet).
Table 1: Role of clinical pharmacists (Pharm.D) candidates in hospital
The “Dr.” Prefix
Those who are awarded this degree do get the doctor prefix I.e. “Dr.” in their name.
The reason for which MAY be as follows, (I said “may” because the reason is not mentioned in the government gazettes). Originally Pharm.D degree was awarded first by the US, starting first in 1950,
these degrees where the highest qualification for practising pharmacy and usually such degrees as per their system have the word “doctor” in the degree. Such degrees are called “professional doctorates”
but they are not Ph.Ds.
India may be keeping in line with this system and thus allowing their Pharm.D postgraduates to add the
“Dr.” prefix. But the Pharm.D degree in India is in no way similar to that in the USA. They have far more intensive substance in their course, and on complete the can further do a 2-year residency program after which they become very specialized in something specific are like emergency medicine
pharmacy, cancer pharmacy etc.
these degrees where the highest qualification for practising pharmacy and usually such degrees as per their system have the word “doctor” in the degree. Such degrees are called “professional doctorates”
but they are not Ph.Ds.
India may be keeping in line with this system and thus allowing their Pharm.D postgraduates to add the
“Dr.” prefix. But the Pharm.D degree in India is in no way similar to that in the USA. They have far more intensive substance in their course, and on complete the can further do a 2-year residency program after which they become very specialized in something specific are like emergency medicine
pharmacy, cancer pharmacy etc.
All lay persons who you meet will have no clue about Pharm.D.
Each and every candidate after completion of your 12th grade will experience the following on securing
admission to a Pharm.D course (or something similar): Imagine some nosey Indian aunty or the
competitive mother of some annoying child or simply a layperson, let’s call
this person Pedru, it’s a Goan name since I am from Goa:
admission to a Pharm.D course (or something similar): Imagine some nosey Indian aunty or the
competitive mother of some annoying child or simply a layperson, let’s call
this person Pedru, it’s a Goan name since I am from Goa:
Pedru:“So where have you got admission?”
You:“At Manipal, for Pharm.D course?”
Pedru: “Pharma.D? Diploma?” *Insert a face that looks down upon you* (Note they will say Pharma.D,
not Pharm.D)
not Pharm.D)
You: *either with pride or disgust* “No, Pharm.D means doctor of pharmacy, it’s a 6 years course.”
Pedru: “Ahhhhhh…Ph.D.”
When the conversation reaches this stage, because you would have faced the same situation so many
times before, you will either punch the person in the face, or you will break your own head in despair.
times before, you will either punch the person in the face, or you will break your own head in despair.
But let me tell you guys it is in a way necessary to create awareness about this degree and indirectly
your on profession. One you are a pharmacist know that you are more than a drug dispenser. You guys
are freshmen and probably won't understand the importance of the point I am making. It goes a long
way. So make an effort to keep your cool and explain away what the hell Pharm.D course is all about
and what your true duties are, does not matter if you will never end up actually doing those.
your on profession. One you are a pharmacist know that you are more than a drug dispenser. You guys
are freshmen and probably won't understand the importance of the point I am making. It goes a long
way. So make an effort to keep your cool and explain away what the hell Pharm.D course is all about
and what your true duties are, does not matter if you will never end up actually doing those.
Maybe if enough people find out what we are supposed to be doing (like ADR prevention) and how
the public is negatively affected because we are not doing it, they might begin to recruit us in the right
positions and benefit us itself.
the public is negatively affected because we are not doing it, they might begin to recruit us in the right
positions and benefit us itself.
What is Pharm D (post-baccalaureate)?
For those who have done their B.Pharm course and want to transition from the industrial centric course
to a clinical centric environment (hypothetically), this course was perhaps designed for them. But in
reality, they end up in an industrial set up only.
to a clinical centric environment (hypothetically), this course was perhaps designed for them. But in
reality, they end up in an industrial set up only.
M.Pharm Pharmacy practice vs Pharm.D vs Pharm D (post-baccalaureate)
Primarily since most people tend to be simply and blindly after the Doctor tag, only a Pharm.D degree
(aside from a PhD) will offer the Dr tag in pharmacy. Not a masters, nor a post bacc.
(aside from a PhD) will offer the Dr tag in pharmacy. Not a masters, nor a post bacc.
The post bacc. and pharm.D are governed my PCI. As of 2018 Pharm.D (to my knowledge) acquired
recognition by AICTE also.
recognition by AICTE also.
Pharm.D students are not eligible for any fellowships or stipend like masters of pharmacy students for
the duration of their course from the government through official bodies (as of 2018). This is
mainly because as of 2018 despite the said recognition by AICTE they are yet to update their website
after which Pharm.D students may be eligible to apply for GPAT and thus may get a stipend like
masters students. We cant say as of now.
the duration of their course from the government through official bodies (as of 2018). This is
mainly because as of 2018 despite the said recognition by AICTE they are yet to update their website
after which Pharm.D students may be eligible to apply for GPAT and thus may get a stipend like
masters students. We cant say as of now.
With regards to doctoral fellowships for whatever reason (probably due to lack of specialization and
certain skills like M.Pharm. candidates) or due to lack of recognition (why we have only just aquired)
are not eligible to write any fellowship exams.
But one can always try. Also, one can always apply for internships and acquire the skills after or
maybe even during the degree in the vacation for a laboratory internship.
certain skills like M.Pharm. candidates) or due to lack of recognition (why we have only just aquired)
are not eligible to write any fellowship exams.
But one can always try. Also, one can always apply for internships and acquire the skills after or
maybe even during the degree in the vacation for a laboratory internship.
Table2: Difference between M. Pharm (Pharmacy practice) and Pharm D (post-baccalaureate)
Thank you raghu for such description of our course. People need to have clarity about pharm D and what future it hold for them. I liked the conversation part... am too a victim...
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