Overview

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who practice in the field of pharmacy. They are knowledgeable about drug therapy, different types of drugs (their composition, manufacturing process and properties) and optimum use of drugs (depending upon the condition of the patient). Pharmacists are also known by titles such as- druggists, chemists and Doctor of Pharmacy. Their main tasks include- compounding, checking prescriptions, dispensing drugs, advice dosage and directions to patients and checking and maintaining the drug store inventory (at hospitals, clinics or drug stores). In India, professional Pharmacy courses are available in Diploma, undergraduate degree (B Pharmacy), Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy), M.Pharm., PG Diploma and PhD levels. In this article, we will be focusing only on Diploma in Pharmacy course.

Course at a glance

D.Pharm means two year Diploma in Pharmacy. In India, students can study this education course after successfully completing Standard Twelve in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and either Biology as subjects. The person who has completed D.Pharm can be employed as registered pharmacist in Hospital and Community pharmacies dispensing drugs and pharmaceuticals. It has been made mandatory that at least one person employed in a pharmacy must be a qualified registered pharmacist. After completion of D.Pharm, one should complete the respective pharmacy council registration to become a registered pharmacist. A D.Pharm holder can go for a professional degree (under graduate) course of B.Pharm in India via lateral entry scheme.