A PhD in Pharmacy is a course that leads to a doctorate in pharmacy. Pharmacy is a profession that bridges the gap between health and chemistry, with the goal of ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs. Three years is the minimum course length. The length of the course varies depending on the rules and regulations of the various universities and institutes.
The curriculum varies depending on the course specializations, but it generally focuses on imparting in-depth and intense knowledge and understanding of the various interdisciplinary aspects of the pharmaceutical field via research and advanced studies.
Students with a PhD in pharmacy have lucrative job prospects in both the private and public sectors. Researcher, Biomedical Scientist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Pharmacist, Analytical Chemist, and Assistant Professor are the most popular job profiles. The average starting salary varies depending on the sector and job profile, and can range from INR 3 LPA to INR 10 LPA.
PhD in Pharmacy: An Overview
Acquainting yourself with the necessary specifications and requirements for pursuing advanced courses such as PhD Pharmacy from top universities will prepare the candidate to be successful in gaining admission to their desired institutes. The highlights of the PhD Pharmacy course are listed below:
| Level of Course | Doctorate |
|---|---|
| Also referred as | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy |
| Duration of Course | Minimum of 3 years |
| Type of Examination | Semester System |
| Eligibility Criteria | Post-graduate degree in Pharmacy or equivalent stream with a minimum aggregate mark of 55% |
| Process of Admission | Entrance Exam or Merit-based direct admission |
| Fee for the Course | INR 40,000 – INR 5 Lakhs |
| Average Salary in the beginning | INR 2 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
| Top Hiring Firms | Coromandel International Limited, eValueServe, Ranbaxy, Cognizant, Biocon, Piramal, Zydus, GlaxoSmithKline, BioClinica,Indegene, Novartis Pharma AG |
| Positions of Job | Pharmacist, Biomedical scientist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative,Researcher, Analytical Chemist, Assistant Professor |
PhD in Pharmacy Eligibility
The following are the minimum requirements for students interested in pursuing a PhD in pharmacy at an Indian institution:
- Possessing a postgraduate degree in any subject from the Pharmacy or Science streams from a recognized Indian university or institute, with a minimum aggregate mark of 55% for general candidates and 50% for reserved candidates.
- national or state-level entrance examinations in a related subject, such as NET or SET, with a minimum passing score of 40%.
PhD in Pharmacy Syllabus
The following is a general outline of the PhD Pharmacy structure.
| Research Methodology | Information Communication Technology |
| Recent Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences | Modern Topics in Pharmacy |
| Advanced Developments in Pharmaceutical Studies | – |
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. (physics) | Ph.D. (mathematics) | Pharm.d |
| Ph.D. (commerce) | Doctor Of Laws [LL.D.] | Ph.D. (chemistry) |
PhD in Pharmacy Admission Procedure
In most of India’s top universities, admission to PhD pharmacy programs is based on national or state-level entrance exams. At the same time, some other institutes and universities conduct merit-based evaluations for doctoral admissions.
Personal interviews conducted by the respective department faculty at the universities are frequently conducted prior to admission to this course. The following are the admission procedures for the PhD in Pharmacy course in Indian institutes and universities:
- Under merit-based admission, students are admitted to institutes or universities based on their postgraduate grades.
- A postgraduate qualification from a recognized Indian college or university is the minimum requirement for applying for merit-based admission to Indian institutes for PhD pharmacy. The candidate must have a master’s degree or an equivalent degree in any subject from the Pharmacy or Science streams, with a minimum post-graduation aggregate mark of 55 percent.
- Application via the internet: Admission to doctoral degree programs is done on a case-by-case basis at each university or institute. To be considered for a PhD program in pharmacy, a candidate must respond to the university’s advertisement for a research scholar position. To do so, they must go to the respective university or institute’s official website and navigate to the application portal in response to the vacancy or recruitment advertisement.
- Candidates must submit scanned copies of their original documents in the format specified by the university, such as identification proof, birth proof, mark sheets, and other related certificates.
- Interview: After a candidate has successfully applied to a doctoral program, the department faculty of the respective university or institute may call them in for a personal interview.
PhD in Pharmacy: Focus Areas
PhD Pharmacy is a doctoral degree program for students interested in conducting advanced research and studies in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. It includes cutting-edge research in combining health and chemical sciences.
It focuses on the use of pharmaceutical drugs in a safe and effective manner.
- The course must be completed in a minimum of three years. According to the rules and regulations of the respective universities and institutes, the duration can be extended.
- As a result of this course, the students will gain a thorough understanding of the various dimensions of the pharmaceutical field as a result.
- The course focuses on research techniques that allow students to conduct in-depth field research. It provides students with all of the advanced knowledge they will need to develop thesis work based on their research.
- The course connects the medical sciences and focuses on advanced biochemistry formulations, drug models, drug delivery, organic synthesis, and biomaterials use.
- Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry are all course specializations within the PhD Pharmacy program.
PhD in Pharmacy: Top Institutes
PhD Pharmacy is offered by a number of institutes across India. Below is a table listing some of the top institutes in India that offer a PhD in Pharmacy degree program, along with their location, average annual fee, and agency ranking.:
| Ranking by NIRF | Name of the Institute | Average Fees (Annually) | Average Salary Per Annum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali | INR 1,27,000 | INR 4.5 LPA |
| 4 | Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | INR 64,500 | INR 3.5 LPA |
| 7 | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal | INR 4,30,000 | INR 4 LPA |
| 9 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Udagamandalam | INR 2,84,500 | INR 3 LPA |
| 12 | Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu | INR 51, 510 | INR 5.6 LPA |
| 13 | Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, Mumbai | INR 1,25,000 | INR 6.5 LPA |
| 14 | Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara | – | INR 4 LPA |
| 16 | Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi | INR 75,000 | INR 4 LPA |
| 19 | S. R. M. Institute of Science and Technology | – | INR 3.5 LPA |
| 22 | Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune | INR 50,000 | INR 2 LPA |
PhD in Pharmacy: Top Foreign Institutes
While universities in the United States continue to attract a large number of prospective doctoral researchers, obtaining a PhD in Europe is also a popular choice. The specifics of a PhD in Pharmacy program and application requirements may differ slightly from one university to the next. The following are some of the best places to get a doctorate in pharmacy.
- Utrecht University, Netherlands
- John Hopkins University, USA
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- The University of Manchester, UK
- The University of Minnesota, USA
- University of Southern California, USA
- University of Washington, USA
PhD in Pharmacy: Important Entrance Exams
The entrance exam for admission to a PhD program in pharmacy varies by university. The most common entrance exams are the following:
- The University Grants Commission administers the National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), which is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the auspices of the University Grants Commission. It enables qualified students to study for a doctorate in any discipline at any Indian university or educational institute.
- The University Grants Commission administers the UGC SET, which is the State (Level) Eligibility Test. It enables qualified students to pursue doctoral studies in any field, but only at state-run institutions.
- CSIR NET stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National Eligibility Test, which is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the auspices of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It allows students who meet certain criteria to pursue doctoral studies in science and technology.
- The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER JEE) is a competitive examination held by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. Students can enroll in their PhD pharmacy programs after passing this exam.
- AU AIMEE stands for Annamalai University All India Medical Entrance Exam and is administered by Annamalai University. It is held to select qualified students for admission to PhD pharmacy programs.
PhD in Pharmacy: Subjects Taught
Medical sciences, as well as drug composition and use, are among the subjects taught in Indian universities’ PhD pharmacy programs. The subjects, like the syllabus, vary according to universities, course specializations, and research areas. The following is a general outline of the subjects covered in the PhD Pharmacy degree program:
| Research methodology | Information communication technology | Drug discovery and development |
| Biopharmaceutics | Novel drug delivery systems | Pharmacokinetics |
| Clinical trials | Development of therapeutic guidelines | Adverse drug reaction |
| Drug information resources | Rational drug use | Essential drug concept |
| Pharmacological screening and assays | Bioavailability & bioequivalence | Product development |
Institutes Ranked by NIRF
| Ranking by NIRF | Institute Name | Process of Admission | Average Fees (Annually) | Average Salary Per Annum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali | Entrance Exam | INR 1,27,000 | INR 4.5 LPA |
| 4 | Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | Entrance Exam | INR 64,500 | INR 3.5 LPA |
| 7 | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal | Entrance Exam | INR 4,30,000 | INR 4 LPA |
| 9 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Udagamandalam | Entrance Exam | INR 2,84,500 | INR 3 LPA |
| 26 | Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi | Entrance Exam | INR 46,815 | INR 8 LPA |
PhD in Pharmacy: Preparation Plan
The majority of India’s top colleges that offer PhD pharmacy programs require aspiring candidates to pass an entrance exam as a condition of admission. As a result, it is critical that the candidate adequately prepares for the entrance exam and passes it.
- For the doctoral degree program in pharmacy, there are multiple entrance exams. As a result, it is strongly advised that candidates prepare and proceed in accordance with the specific requirements of their intended institutes or universities.
- They can also study for national entrance exams such as the UGC NET or the CSIR NET. Following their selection of an examination, candidates must register and apply for that examination via their application portal.
- A general aptitude paper and a specialized paper related to the pharmacy discipline are the general patterns in national and state-level examinations. Individual universities’ entrance exams, however, may have different patterns and syllabus.
- In the case of national or state-level entrance examinations, aspirants must ensure that they obtain a high enough score to pursue advanced research at top Indian universities. A high ranking may also qualify them for a UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
- Both the theoretical and communicative aspects of the entrance exams must be addressed by the candidate. It will help them prepare for the exam’s interview round.
PhD in Pharmacy: A Comparison among Institutes
In the table below, the top three Indian institutes that offer PhD in Pharmacy are compared, along with their average placement package, average annual fees, and top recruiting companies.
| Basis of Comparison | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | Institute of Chemical Technology | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlight | NIPER, located in Mohali, is the country’s first national institute for pharmaceutical sciences (Punjab). It is a self-governing institution under the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers of the Government of India. | The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) was founded in Mumbai in 1933 as the University of Delhi College of Technology (UDCT) (Maharashtra). Its mission is to provide high-quality education in Chemical Engineering and related fields. | MCOPS is one of India’s most prestigious private institutions, offering courses in pharmaceutical studies at all levels. It first opened its doors in 1963 as a pharmacy school with a diploma programme. |
| Ranking by NIRF | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Process of Admission | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam |
| Average Fees (Annually) | INR 1,27,000 | INR 64,500 | INR 4,30,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4.5 LPA | INR 3.5 LPA | INR 4 LPA |
| Top Hiring Firms | Coromandel International Limited, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Cognizant, Syngenta Biosciences | Exxonmobil India, Sulzer Pumps India, Alfa Laval, Dow Chemical,UOP India Private Ltd | GlaxoSmithKline, SunPharma, Eris Lifesciences, Syngene, Dr.Reddy’s |
PhD in Pharmacy: Important Skills Required
In today’s competitive world, academic knowledge is never enough; in order to have a successful career, you must have both hard and soft skills. The following are some of the skills required in the pharmacy industry:
- Communication skills– Clients, practitioners, distributors, and marketers will all need to be dealt with as a Pharmacy professional. It is critical to be a good communicator in order to make the process run smoothly and efficiently.
- Good in ethics– This is an important skill set for the pharmaceutical industry because, as a medical professional, you must protect patent drug information and patient personal information while working in the industry.
- Reading skills– Pharmacy, as we all know, is a field where students must deal with a variety of chemical compounds, patent laws, and medicinal plants. As a result, in order to gather information and knowledge, you must be a voracious reader with the ability to comprehend what you read..
- Analytical mind– As Pharmacy is a professional course, students must deal with a lot of drug and compound analysis, as well as how and where these drugs and compounds have an effect. New developments and research are constantly occurring; as a result, to be successful in the game, you must have an analytical mind.
- Monitoring skills:– The process of making a drug isn’t easy; it necessitates a lot of hard work and constant monitoring. It is impossible for professionals to gather all of the information about the work they are doing without careful observation and proper record-keeping.
- Leadership quality-If you start a business, or if you work as a project manager or a government official, you’ll have a lot of people reporting to you, and leadership quality is critical to achieving your goals.
- Driven and resilient nature– Many situations require you to face failure or work in an environment where your professional life takes precedence over your social life; if you’re not driven, you won’t be able to cope. Developing a drug or medicine is a long process that requires you to sit in labs without knowing when you will be released; therefore, patience and enthusiasm for your work are essential.
PhD in Pharmacy: Books
PhD Pharmacy is an advanced degree program that focuses on pharmaceutical research. As a result, if students are to complete this course successfully, they must possess certain skill sets. The following are some of the best books for students pursuing a PhD in pharmacy:
| Book Name | Author’s Name |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology in Rehabilitation | Charles D. Ciccone |
| A Dictionary of Natural Products | Hocking, George MacDonald |
| Case Studies in Pharmacy Ethics | Robert M. Veatch |
| Metal Nanoparticles in Pharma | Mahendra Rai |
| Progress in Medical Chemistry | F.D. King |
Future Trends in Pharmacy
The pharmaceutical industry, like every other industry, is attempting to keep up with the rapid development of new technologies. Everything we see in sci-fi movies will soon become a reality thanks to the efforts of pharmacy professionals. Some of the most fascinating pharmacy trends that may become commonplace in the near future include:
- Use of digestible sensors to keep track of the digestion and absorption of the pills.
- Pharmacogenomics will help practitioners diagnose every individual based on his or her heredity.
- Implementation of AU (Augmented Reality)
- Human brilliance will be doubled by the use of artificial intelligence.
- Silico trials will soon replace clinical trials on animals and human beings.
PhD in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy: Key Differences
Pharm.D and PhD Pharmacy are both doctoral degree programs in the pharmaceutical field. As a result, many students are perplexed by the differences between these courses.
Although the job prospects and employment areas are similar in both degrees, there are some differences.
For a better understanding, a comparison of the two courses is provided in tabular form below, along with their respective fees and expected salaries.
| Basis of Comparison | PhD Pharmacy | Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight | It is a doctoral program that provides students with an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry through advanced research and education. It encompasses a variety of course specializations that allow students to pursue a research topic of their choice. | Pharm.D is a doctoral program that prepares students to manage patient medication therapy by instilling intense and in-depth knowledge through advanced research. |
| Degree Type | Doctorate | Doctorate |
| Duration of Course | Minimum of 3 years | 6 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Post-graduate qualification in a pharmacy or science discipline from a recognized Indian university with a minimum aggregate mark of 55 percent. | A diploma in pharmacy from a recognized Pharm.D college and a 10+2 or equivalent qualification from a recognized Indian education board are required. |
| Type of Exam | Semester | Semester |
| Process of Admission | Entrance Exam/ Merit Based | Entrance Exam |
| Average Fees (Annually) | INR 40,000 – INR 5 Lakhs | INR 6 Lakhs – INR 20 Lakhs |
| Average Salary in the beginning | INR 2 LPA – INR 10 LPA | INR 3 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
| Profiles of Job | Pharmacist, Biomedical scientist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Researcher, Analytical Chemist, Assistant Professor | Drug inspector, analytical chemist, Clinical Pharmacist, researcher, retail pharmacist |
| Top Hires’ | Coromandel International Limited, eValueServe, Ranbaxy, Biocon, Piramal, Zydus, Cognizant, GlaxoSmithKline, BioClinica,Indegene, Novartis Pharma AG | Lupin, Cadila, Fortis, Max,Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Zydus |
PhD in Pharmacy: Suitable Candidates
- Applicants who want to improve their educational credentials while also increasing their pay scale can enroll in the course.
- Information technology, research and analysis, and project management are the most appropriate courses for candidates who have problem-solving skills and the ability to think clearly and methodically.
- Second, those who are capable of time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to critically evaluate data, commercial awareness, and teamwork spirit.
PhD in Pharmacy: Top Job Profiles
PhD pharmacy provides a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical studies as well as advanced research opportunities. It provides students with all of the necessary knowledge about the relationship between medical sciences and drug use at the highest level.
- It allows students to learn product development as well as research skills because it provides research opportunities. Students are prepared for lucrative job opportunities through in-depth understanding and a rigorous advanced curriculum.
- Doctoral pharmacy students can work in both the private and public sectors.
- After completing a PhD in Pharmacy, students can find lucrative job opportunities with high pay scales in private institutes, research facilities, drug development companies, private practice firms, as well as public universities and research facilities.
Below is a list of some of the most popular job profiles available to PhD Pharmacy students, along with their job descriptions and average annual salary:
| Profile of Job | Description of Job | Average Salary in the beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Researcher | Responsibilities include conducting research and developing new drug formulations. | INR 9 LPA |
| Pharmacist | Responsible for ensuring that suggested drugs and medicines are distributed and dispensed properly to patients. | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Biomedical Scientist | Working on a variety of diseases and their microbiological causes in order to develop appropriate treatments and drug applications. | INR 6 LPA |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | Using their knowledge of medical drugs and treatments, as well as their communication skills, they are responsible for promoting company drugs. They represent businesses and promote their products in hospitals. | INR 1.75 LPA |
| Analytical Chemist | Organic and inorganic substances are used to determine the formulations, compositions, and development of drugs. | INR 2.5 LPA |
| Assistant Professor | Responsibilities include teaching students about various methods and practices related to various aspects of pharmacy. | INR 5 LPA |
- Professor and Associate Professor
- Assistant Manager
- Pharmacy Coordinator
- Counter Salesman
- Defense Services
- Medical Labs
- Assistant Professor
- Pharmacy Manager
- Pharmacy In-charge
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharma Companies
- Pharmacist Shops
- Government Hospitals
- Purchase Specialist
- Writing for Medical Content
PhD in Pharmacy: Benefits and Scope
PhD Pharmacy is a doctoral degree program designed for students interested in conducting advanced research and studies in the pharmaceutical field.
- It provides students with a thorough and in-depth understanding of topics in pharmacy and prepares them to conduct advanced research. Students are drawn to this course for a variety of reasons:
- PhD Pharmacy is a graduate program that provides students with a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the pharmaceutical field, as well as all of the resources needed to conduct advanced research.
- This course is ideal for students who are passionate about both medical science and drug use.
- This course provides students with a competent degree as well as advanced knowledge that will enable them to pursue post-doctoral research in the field.
- PhD Pharmacy offers a variety of course specializations, allowing students to pursue research in the area of their choice.
- This course allows students to improve their educational qualifications, which opens up more job opportunities with higher pay scales.
- Candidates at this stage can develop new useful drugs in laboratories and in pharmaceutical production work, as well as analyze them for purity and strength, which is extremely beneficial to them.
- The doctorate degree program provides the candidate with a thorough examination of the subject, allowing them to expand their knowledge.
- They can also work in federal and state government departments, such as the Department of Health and Welfare’s Health Protection Branch.
- They can open their own private schools and colleges, as well as serve as guest lecturers at private colleges. Science encompasses much more than working behind a pharmacy counter. It’s a large and important field. India is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical markets.
- The pharmacist is familiar with the chemical compound, its nature, and its impact on a living being’s body.
- As a result, pharma is one of the most important fields in the medical field. The field of pharmacy has a lot of potential because of the growing number of diseases.
- Medicine, as well as the professionals who create it, is vital to humanity. Not only in India, but also in other countries, there is a high demand for pharmacists.
FAQs
The majority of Indian institutes offer PhD Pharmacy programs that last at least three years. In some cases, depending on the guidelines and regulations of the respective universities, the time to complete a PhD can be extended.
Yes. However, in order to be eligible for a JRF, or Junior Research Fellowship, you must score well on the NTA-UGC NET or the CSIR NET. It does, however, depend on the university in question.
Yes. Some Indian universities that offer PhD Pharmacy programs only accept students who have earned an M.Pharm from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate grade of 55 percent. Other institutes, on the other hand, accept students with an M.Sc degree.
No. A Pharm.D, or doctorate in pharmacy, is a degree that qualifies a person to work as a pharmacist. A degree in pharmacology, such as a PhD, is required to work as a Pharmaceutical Scientist.
A pharmacist is in charge of dispensing appropriate drugs and medicines as prescribed by a doctor or other health care provider. They serve as a conduit between physicians and patients.
In order to teach Pharmacy subjects in Indian colleges and universities, you must have passed the UGC-NET or CSIR-NET examinations and have a PhD in any pharmacy course specialization.
A PhD Pharmacy degree can be obtained through a variety of courses. Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry are examples of these fields. These specializations allow students to choose from a variety of fields.
Students pursuing a PhD in pharmacy can work in both the public and private sectors. Academic institutions, research facilities, top pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities are all possible places for them to work.
To teach pharmacy subjects in Indian colleges and universities, you must have passed the UGC-NET or CSIR-NET examinations and have a PhD in any pharmacy course specialization.
Yes. Several Indian universities and institutes offer combined M.Phil and PhD pharmacy programs. The availability of course specializations and duration, however, may vary.
