Do you want to pursue a career in pharmacy? But you don’t know whether B.Pharm or D.Pharm is the better career option? Pharmacy is a vast and reputed industry to work in. You can build a career in pharmacy with the right qualification. Professionals belonging to this industry are respected and well-liked. B.Pharm and D.Pharm are both excellent programs in pharmacy. However, there are clear differences between the two.
Let’s find the differences between the two programs by comparison.
1. Overview of B.Pharm & D.Pharm
D.Pharm
Diploma in Pharmacy or D.Pharm is an undergraduate program. The program is spread across two years with an annual mode of conducting examination. Students who want to make a career in pharmacy can start by pursuing D.Pharm qualification. This is a foundation course in pharmaceutical science.
B.Pharm
Bachelor of Pharmacy or B.Pharm is another popular undergraduate program. It is spread across four years and eight semesters. This program offers a more in-depth understanding of pharmaceutical science. Professionals opting for this program gain excellent career opportunities in the industry.
2. Eligibility Criteria
D.Pharm
Professionals who have completed 10+2 in the science stream can apply for this program. Physics and chemistry are compulsory subjects to apply for this program. The qualification should be from a UGC-recognised university or educational board.
B.Pharm
Candidates who have completed 10+2 with minimum 50% aggregate marks in the science stream can opt for this program. Physics and chemistry are compulsory subjects to apply for this program. The qualification should be from a UGC-recognised university.
3. Topics Covered
D.Pharm
Students opting for D.Pharm study Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Community Pharmacy and Human Anatomy. Besides this, the curriculum also focuses on hands-on training through lab work. You must be prepared to spend ample time working in labs when pursuing this program. Companies expect professionals to have relevant hands-on training in this field.
B.Pharm
This is one of the leading pharmacy courses after 12th. The course curriculum includes Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and much more. Lab work is an integral part of this program. Students are trained in high-tech labs. This helps them better understand the different aspects of pharmaceutical science.
4. Benefits of the Programs
D.Pharm
- This is a foundational program and helps students understand the basics of pharmacy.
- The program also focuses on pharmaceutical management which helps candidates become entrepreneurs.
- Professionals with this qualification can enter the workforce directly without the need for a degree qualification.
B.Pharm
- This is an advanced course focused on human anatomy and biology. Biochemistry is also a major aspect of this program for better understanding of pharmaceutical science.
- Professionals holding a B.Pharm degree can work in Pharma manufacturing, drug designing, pathology and quality control arenas.
- There is a scope for higher education with more lucrative career opportunities.
5. Career Opportunities & Salary
D.Pharm
Professionals can be hired as pharmacists, pathology lab assistants and junior lab scientists. Besides this, they can also launch a pharmacy of their own and become entrepreneurs. Being your own boss is always recommended but you need to analyse risks as well. The average salary of professionals with this qualification is INR 2.5 lakhs.
B.Pharm
Professionals holding a B.Pharm degree can be hired as Clinical Research Associates, Production Managers, Drug Inspectors, Food Inspectors, Formulation Development Associates, and Drug Therapists. The average salary of professionals is INR 4 lakhs.
6. Higher Education
D.Pharm
Candidates can go on to pursue B.Pharm after completing this program. They can also opt to pursue BBA followed by MBA in case they wish to pursue a management or entrepreneurial role.
B.Pharm
These candidates can pursue M.Pharm after completing B.Pharm. M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics and M.Pharm in Quality Assurance are two prominent specialisation courses in pharmacy. Furthermore, they can opt for PhD programs after gaining a postgraduate degree in pharmacy. PhD is a coveted qualification. It can open up a wide range of career opportunities for professionals.
Conclusion
A career in pharmacy can open up many doors for you. Some of the best pharmacy colleges in Nashik offer D.Pharm and B.Pharm programs. You are in a better position to make a decision now that you know the differences between these programs. Both these programs are great, depending on your career goals. If you want to pursue entrepreneurship, D.Pharm is the right choice for you. If you wish to pursue research and drug designing, then B.Pharm is the better choice. Whichever program you choose, rest assured that you will have ample scope in the field. Good luck!