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Pharmacist (B.Pharm)

Pharmacy covers the preparation, quality control, dispensing and regulation of medicines. The standard entry qualification is the four-year B.Pharm degree, after which graduates register as pharmacists with a state pharmacy council and work in hospital pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory roles.

Education pathway

  1. 1

    B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

    After 12th · 4 years

    Admission is through a state pharmacy entrance examination or a merit list, depending on the state and institution.

  2. 2

    Registration with a State Pharmacy Council

    After the degree · On completion of the course

    Registration is required to practise as a pharmacist.

  3. 3

    M.Pharm

    Optional further study · 2 years

    Admission is usually through GPAT.

  4. 4

    Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

    Optional · 6 years including internship

    A clinical pharmacy programme.

Eligibility

A pass in 12th (or equivalent) with Physics and Chemistry, together with either Biology or Mathematics, is the usual requirement for B.Pharm admission. Exact requirements and minimum marks are set by the admitting authority, so confirm the current rule with the state pharmacy authority or the institution before applying.

Typical duration: 4 years (B.Pharm)

Approximate education cost

₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year

Indicative annual tuition range for government and private pharmacy colleges. Actual fees vary by institution and scholarship. An estimate only.

Entrance examinations and deadlines

Suitable courses

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery · 5.5 yearsDoctor of Pharmacy · 6 years

Colleges in the EduLandmark database

Annamalai University · AnnamalainagarCollege of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College · ChennaiJSS College of Pharmacy · OotyMadras Medical College & Government General Hospital, Chennai · ChennaiPSG College of Technology · CoimbatoreSri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research · Chennai

Counselling pathway

Tamil Nadu Medical Counselling — Counselling Completed

Required skills

Pharmaceutical chemistryPharmacology basicsQuality control and testingAttention to detailRegulatory awarenessRecord keeping

Career opportunities

Hospital PharmacistCommunity PharmacistProduction or Quality Control ChemistClinical Research AssociateMedical Coding Analyst

Employment sectors

Hospital and retail pharmacyPharmaceutical manufacturingQuality control and quality assurance laboratoriesClinical research organisationsDrug regulatory bodiesPharmaceutical marketing

Further education options

M.Pharm through GPATPharm.DMBA in pharmaceutical managementPhD in pharmaceutical sciences

Licensing and registration

Practising as a pharmacist requires registration with the relevant State Pharmacy Council after completing a recognised pharmacy programme. Manufacturing and sale of drugs are separately regulated.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need NEET for B.Pharm?

Not always. Many states admit students through their own pharmacy entrance examination or on 12th merit. NEET UG is relevant where a state uses it for pharmacy admissions, so check the rule that applies to your state.

Is registration compulsory to work as a pharmacist?

Yes. Practising as a pharmacist in India requires registration with a State Pharmacy Council after completing a recognised programme.

Awaiting verification against an official source

EduLandmark has not yet confirmed this information against an official source. Confirm the details on the official website before you rely on them.

Future scope and growth

Pharmacy graduates move into manufacturing, quality control, hospital pharmacy, clinical research and regulatory affairs, and demand is driven by the domestic pharmaceutical industry and public health programmes.

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