About Pharm.D - Pharmacy Practice

About the Pharm.D Program

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) is a six-year professional doctoral program in pharmacy designed to prepare students for advanced clinical roles in healthcare. It integrates five years of academic study with a one-year full-time internship/residency in hospitals, where students gain hands-on experience in patient care, drug therapy management, and clinical decision-making.

It is the first direct patient-care oriented pharmacy program in India recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), providing direct clinical exposure and preparing students to function as clinical pharmacists – a globally recognized role.

The course focuses on evidence-based medicine, pharmacovigilance, and therapeutic optimization.

Eligibility Criteria

For Pharm.D (Regular – 6 Years):
- Pass in 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with Mathematics or Biology.
- Or pass in D.Pharm course from an institution approved by PCI.
- Minimum age: 17 years completed on or before 31st December of the year of admission.
For Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate – 3 Years):
- A pass in B.Pharm from an institution approved by PCI, getting lateral entry into the 4th year of the Pharm.D program.

Admission Process

Admission is strictly based on merit and as per PCI & University guidelines.
Candidates must clear entrance exams like GPAT, NIPER and register through the Central Admission Process (CAP) of DTE / University portal.

Career Prospects

Pharm.D graduates have diverse and rewarding career opportunities in India and abroad:

Clinical & Healthcare Sector: Clinical Pharmacist in hospitals, Patient counseling and medication therapy management, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) & Pharmacovigilance, Clinical Research Associate.
Academia & Research: Research in drug development, pharmacology, pharmacoeconomics, Faculty positions in pharmacy colleges.
Pharma & Corporate Sector: Drug Safety Officer / Pharmacovigilance Associate, Medical Writing & Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacoeconomics & Health Outcomes Research.
Global Opportunities: Licensing exams (NAPLEX – USA, PEBC – Canada, DHA/MOH/HAAD – UAE, KAPS – Australia). Pharm.D graduates are in demand in countries with advanced clinical pharmacy practice models.