Planning a future in the pharmaceutical sector?
The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) is a comprehensive and highly-regarded undergraduate degree program in India, providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the world of pharmacy.
Governed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and supported by organizations like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), this four-year course covers a wide range of subjects from pharmaceutical chemistry to hospital pharmacy.
Graduates can look forward to diverse career opportunities as pharmacists, drug inspectors, and medical writers or choose to pursue higher education. Read on to learn more about the B.Pharm course, eligibility criteria, entrance exams, fees, and top colleges across India.
B Pharmacy Course Details: Eligibility, Duration, Fees
What is a B Pharmacy course?
B Pharmacy in India is an undergraduate degree program regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), which sets the minimum standards for education, curriculum, infrastructure, and faculty requirements.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approves new pharmacy colleges, while the University Grants Commission (UGC) provides financial assistance. The four-year course includes subjects like pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, hospital pharmacy, and pharmaceutical analysis.
Graduates can pursue careers as pharmacists, drug inspectors, drug controllers, pharmaceutical sales representatives, or medical writers, among others, and also opt for higher education.
B Pharmacy Course Duration:
The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) course in India is a full-time undergraduate program that lasts for four academic years. Each academic year is either annual or semester-based, spanning over a minimum of 200 or 100 working days, respectively.
Eligibility criteria for b pharmacy course:
To be eligible for a B.Pharm course in India, you need to have passed the 10+2 examination with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology as optional subjects individually from a recognized state/central government authority.
Non-formal and non-classroom based schooling qualifications are not eligible.
Entrance Exam for B Pharmacy:
The MHT CET Exam is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Government of Maharashtra for admission to the B.Pharm course in Maharashtra. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology and is highly competitive.
To be eligible, the candidate must have completed 10+2 education with a minimum of 50% marks in the PCB or PCM subjects and should be an Indian citizen of at least 17 years of age.
Fees For B Pharmacy:
The average fee for pursuing a B.Pharm course in India is around INR 4 lakh. The fees varies with the Institute or University. Scholarship options and financial aid are also available to eligible students to help reduce the cost of education.
B Pharmacy Syllabus:
The B Pharmacy course is divided into four years, with each year consisting of various subjects. In the first year of B Pharmacy, students study subjects such as:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
- Remedial Biology
- Remedial Mathematics
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Biochemistry
- Computer Applications in Pharmacy
- Pathophysiology
- Environmental Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry.
The second year of B Pharmacy focuses on subjects such as:
- Physical Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.
In the third year of B Pharmacy, students learn about subjects such as:
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Herbal Drug Technology
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Medicinal Chemistry.
The final year of B Pharmacy is a culmination of all the knowledge and skills gained in the previous three years. The subjects in the final year include:
- Novel Drug Delivery System
- Instrumental Methods of Analysis
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Practice
- Computer-Aided Drug Design
- Biostatistics and Research Methodology
- Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals
- Quality Control and Standardization of Herbals
- Pharmacovigilance
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Cosmetic Science
- Experimental Pharmacology
- Advanced Instrumentation Techniques
- Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals
- Pharmaceutical Regulatory Science
- Social and Preventive Pharmacy
- Practical Training
- Project Work
Scope of B Pharmacy
The scope of B Pharmacy in India is immense due to the rapidly expanding pharmaceutical industry. According to the Economic Survey of 2020-21, the Indian pharma industry is expected to reach US$ 65 billion by 2024 and ~US$ 130 billion by 2030.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented both an opportunity and a challenge for the Indian pharmaceutical industry in its quest to become a global pharmacy hub.
The industry currently employs approximately 2.7 million people, both directly and indirectly, in high-skill areas such as research and development and production. The industry also creates a trade surplus of ~US$ 11 billion annually, making it one of the top five sectors contributing to reducing India's trade deficit.
Top B Pharmacy Colleges/Universities in India:
- Institute of Chemical Technology
- Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
- Panjab University
- Annamalai University
- Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
- Jamia Hamdard University
- The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad
- Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali
- Dibrugarh University is a collegiate public state university.
- Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU)
- Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University
- Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (women's university) in Tirupati
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad
- Punjabi University Patiala
- Bundelkhand University in Jhansi
- Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
- Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur
- Assam Science and Technology University, Guwahati
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Dr Hari Singh Gour University, Saugor, MP
- Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli
- Central University of Punjab
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, formerly Kanpur University, Kanpur
- Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
- Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Sonipat
- Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya Bhopal, Bhopal
- Kakatiya University, Warangal
- Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur
- Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly
- Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra
- T.D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
- Assam University, Silchar
- D.S.B Campus, KUMAUN UNIVERSITY, NAINITAL, Nainital
- DHARMSINH DESAI UNIVERSITY, Nadiad
- SRI VENKATESWARA UNIVERSITY, Tirupati
- Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur
- Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
Conclusion:
The B Pharmacy course in India is a comprehensive undergraduate program that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the pharmaceutical industry. Upon completing the course, graduates have numerous career options, including pharmacists, drug inspectors, and pharmaceutical sales representatives.
They may also choose to pursue higher education. Numerous reputable institutions across India offer the B.Pharm course, making it an accessible and valuable option for those interested in a career in pharmacy.
