Pharm.D

Pharm.D

Pharm. D and Pharm. D (Post Baccalaureate) Course

Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) is a course in Pharmacy which was approved by Govt. of India in the year 2008 with Pharmacy Council of India being the apex body governing it. This course was developed with an objective of developing pharmacists to play an important role in patient care as members of the health care team. Pharm.D is a 6 years program during which 5 years is academic session and sixth year is completely bound to internship in hospital. Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate) is a three years program including two years study and one year internship in the hospital.

Role of Pharm. D

At the end of the course, the clinical pharmacists develop and acquire competencies (knowledge, skill and attitude) to provide pharmaceutical care services, drug and poison information services, patient counseling, identify drug-drug interactions, monitor adverse drug reactions, carry out therapeutic drug monitoring, help in drug dosage adjustment in special population and renal/hepatic patients, assist/co-ordinate in the conduct of clinical trials, promote rational use of medicines and ultimately contribute to better patient care.
There is a huge need of a Pharm D course in a country like India where there are huge drug related problems, irrational drug use and non-compliance to therapy among patients suffering from various chronic diseases Pharmaceutical Care by a physician along with the technical expertise of clinical Pharmacist is the ultimate and best way of achieving better patient care.

Medical writing

These professionals write information related to healthcare, the medical profession and medical science in general for industry professionals, as well as general audiences. Not everyone has the skill set required to do this type of work and Pharm.D graduates are ideally suited for these lucrative jobs.

Hospitals and Healthcare Centres

As society’s health care needs have changed and expanded, there has been an increased emphasis on provision of care through drug information and poison information and Pharmacovigilance activities. Pharm.D graduates will find placement in hospitals as Drug Information Pharmacist or Clinical Pharmacist providing pharmaceutical care.

Clinical Trials

With a large number of Pharmaceutical companies opting for clinical trials the industry is heading towards a business worth 1.4 billion by way of clinical trials. Pharm.D graduates here have a scope to work as clinical research associates and data managers.

Community Pharmacy and Consultant Pharmacists

Pharmacists can serve patients and the community by providing information and advice on health, providing medications and associated services, and by referring patients to other sources of help and care, such as physicians, when necessary. Likewise, advances in the use of computers in pharmacy practice now allow pharmacists to spend more time educating patients and maintaining and monitoring patient records. Pharm.D graduates have opportunities to be entrepreneurs by starting their own community pharmacy.

Academic Pharmacy

As faculty members work in pharmacy colleges involved in teaching, research, public service, and patient care.

Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety

There is no shortage of jobs in this field as high-quality pharma co vigilance practice makes for good business dealing. Students in this field can get jobs in various pharmaceutical companies and earn attractive and handsome salary packages.