Admission to a Pharmacy program typically requires candidates to have completed their higher secondary education (10+2) with a focus on Science subjects, particularly Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics. Most institutions conduct entrance exams like NEET, GPAT, or other state/university-specific exams for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy courses.

• To be eligible for a Pharmacy course, candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent exams with a minimum percentage (usually around 50%) in Science subjects. For B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy), students need to have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics in their 12th grade. For M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy), students must hold a B.Pharm degree and often need to qualify in entrance exams like GPAT.

The duration of a B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) program is four years, divided into eight semesters. For diploma holders in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), the course typically lasts two years. Postgraduate degrees like M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) usually have a duration of two years. Additionally, a Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) program lasts six years, including five years of academic study and one year of internship or residency.

• The career scope in pharmacy includes roles like:

  1. Community/Hospital Pharmacist – Dispense medicines, offer health advice.
  2. Clinical Pharmacist – Optimize patient medication therapies.
  3. Industrial Pharmacist – Work in drug manufacturing, quality control, R&D.
  4. Pharmaceutical Sales/Marketing – Promote medicines to healthcare providers.
  5. Regulatory Affairs – Ensure drug compliance with laws.
  6. Drug Inspector – Monitor drug safety and manufacturing.
  7. Academia/Research – Teach or conduct pharmaceutical research.
  8. Pharmacovigilance – Monitor drug safety post-launch.
  9. Entrepreneurship – Start a pharmacy or pharmaceutical business.