What Is Diploma In Pharmacy Course, Eligibility, Subjects, Career Options, Exit Exam

What is Diploma In Pharmacy Course

D.Pharma (Diploma in Pharmacy) is a two-year diploma level course in the field of pharmacy. The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a qualified pharmacist and work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industries.

Upon completion of the course, graduates are eligible to register as a pharmacist with the respective state pharmacy council and work as a pharmacist in various healthcare settings. In some countries, graduates may also be eligible to pursue further studies in pharmacy such as B.Pharma or M.Pharma. 

During the course, students will also get an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internship programs in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industries. The course also includes a final examination conducted by the respective regulatory body.

Eligibility for d pharma course

The eligibility criteria for the D.Pharma course vary depending on the country or region you are in. However, the general eligibility criteria for the D.Pharma course are as follows:

1. Educational Qualification: In most countries, the minimum educational requirement to be eligible for the D.Pharma course is the successful completion of 10+2 level of education with physics, chemistry, and biology as the main subjects, or equivalent qualification from a recognized board or institution.

2. Minimum Age: In most countries, the minimum age requirement to be eligible for the D.Pharma course is 17 years on the date of admission.

3. Percentage: The percentage of marks required to be eligible for the D.Pharma course varies depending on the country or region you are in. It is generally around 50-60% or equivalent CGPA.

4. Entrance Exams: Some countries or universities may require students to pass an entrance exam to be eligible for the D.Pharma course.

5. Nationality: Some countries may have specific nationality requirements for the D.Pharma course.

It is important to check with the specific institution or university you are interested in for their specific eligibility criteria for the D.Pharma course.

Diploma In Pharmacy ER2020 New Syllabus

The D.Pharma syllabus has undergone significant changes with the implementation of the new Education Regulations (ER) 2020 by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). The new syllabus, effective from the academic year 2021-22, is designed to meet the modern manpower needs and skill development requirements in the field of pharmacy. The previous syllabus (ER 1991) has been replaced by the D.Pharma ER 2020 new syllabus for the Diploma in Pharmacy program throughout the country. This new syllabus aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences, basic medical sciences, and the practical aspects of pharmacy.

First Year D Pharma Subjects as Per ER 2020 PCI New Syllabus 

1. Pharmaceutical chemistry
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Pharmacognosy
4. Social Pharmacy
5. Human Anatomy and Physiology

What You Are Going To Learn In D Pharmacy 1st Year Subjects 

1. Pharmaceutical Chemistry: In this subject, students will learn about the chemical properties and behavior of drugs, including their synthesis, isolation, and purification. Topics covered include organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Students will also learn about the different types of drugs, their uses and side effects, and the principles of drug design and development.
2. Pharmaceutics: This subject deals with the science of preparing and dispensing drugs. Students will learn about the physical and chemical properties of drugs, as well as the various forms in which drugs can be administered, such as tablets, capsules, creams, and injections. Topics covered include dosage forms, drug delivery systems, and the principles of drug formulation and manufacturing.
3. Pharmacognosy: This subject deals with the study of natural products and their use in medicine. Students will learn about the botanical, chemical, and pharmacological properties of natural products, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Topics covered include the identification, cultivation, and harvesting of medicinal plants, as well as the isolation and purification of natural products.
4. Social Pharmacy: This subject deals with the social, economic, and ethical aspects of pharmacy. Students will learn about the healthcare system and its role in the delivery of pharmaceutical care. Topics covered include health promotion and disease prevention, health policy and administration, and the ethical and legal aspects of pharmacy practice.
5. Human Anatomy and Physiology: This subject deals with the study of the structure and function of the human body. Students will learn about the different systems of the body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Topics covered include the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs, as well as the physiological processes that maintain homeostasis in the body.

These subjects are usually included in the first-year diploma in pharmacy program and can be found in the first-year diploma in pharmacy subjects pdf book. The content may vary depending on the institution or university offering the program.

Second Year D Pharma Subjects as Per ER 2020 PCI New Syllabus 

1. Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy
2. Pharmacotherapeutics
3. Pharmacy law & ethics
4. Pharmacology
5. Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology
6. Community pharmacy & management

What You Are Going To Learn In 2nd Year D Pharmacy Subjects  

1. Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy: Students will continue to learn about the role of a pharmacist in a hospital setting, including advanced topics such as drug therapy management, patient counseling, and participation in rounds and multidisciplinary teams.
2. Pharmacotherapeutics: Students will continue to learn about the use of medications to treat various diseases and disorders with more focus on advanced topics such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions.
3. Pharmacy law & ethics: Students will continue to learn about the legal and ethical principles that govern the practice of pharmacy, including advanced topics such as prescription writing, drug regulation, and pharmaceutical industry ethics.
4. Pharmacology: Students will continue to learn about the properties, actions, and therapeutic uses of drugs, with a more focus on advanced topics such as pharmacogenetics, drug metabolism, and toxicology.
5. Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology: Students will continue to learn about the chemical processes that occur in the body, including advanced topics such as endocrinology, hematology, and immune system.
6. Community pharmacy & management: Students will continue to learn about the role of a pharmacist in a community setting, including advanced topics such as medication therapy management, public health, and pharmaceutical marketing.

Second year D Pharmacy subjects pdf book: A pdf book that covers the above mentioned subjects specifically designed for Second year students of D Pharmacy program.

career options after d pharma course

There are several career options available for individuals who have completed a D.Pharma (Diploma in Pharmacy) course, including:

1. Retail pharmacist: Retail pharmacists work in community pharmacies, such as drugstores and supermarkets, where they dispense medications and provide medication counseling to patients.

2. Hospital pharmacist: Hospital pharmacists work in hospitals and clinics, where they play an important role in the management of patients' medications. They also work with physicians and nurses to ensure that patients receive the appropriate medications in a timely manner.

3. Clinical pharmacist: Clinical pharmacists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They specialize in the use of medications to treat specific diseases or conditions, and they often work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement treatment plans.

4. Sales and marketing: Individuals with D Pharma degree can also work in the sales and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. They work with pharmaceutical companies to promote products, increase sales and build relationships with healthcare professionals.

5. Quality Control and Quality Assurance: D pharma graduates can also work in the quality control and quality assurance sector of the pharmaceutical industry, where they ensure that drugs meet industry standards and regulations.

6. Regulatory Affairs: This field involves the process of getting a new drug or medical device approved for sale and use by the government. D pharma graduates can work in this field, where they help to ensure that drugs and devices are safe and effective for patients.

7. Research and Development: D pharma graduates can also pursue a career in research and development of new drugs and medical devices. They will be working with scientists and researchers to develop new treatments and therapies for diseases.

8. Entrepreneur : D pharma graduates can start their own pharmacy or medical shop or can also set up manufacturing unit of drugs or medical devices

Note: The above-mentioned options are not exhaustive and there are many other opportunities available as well.

Diploma in Pharmacy Exit Examination As Per PCI

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has recently announced plans to hold the first ever exit exam for students of the D.Pharm course in November of 2022. This decision was made during a meeting of the executive committee on August 8th, 2022, with further details such as the exact date and examination centers to be announced at a later date. The Diploma in Pharmacy Exit Examination Regulations, 2022, which were approved by the Central government, have designated the PCI to announce the details regarding the scheme for conducting the Diploma in Pharmacy Exit Examination and the syllabus of the test. The regulations have been put in place to ensure that candidates applying for registration as a pharmacist with the State Pharmacy Council have undergone pharmacy education and a comprehensive practical training program in the D.Pharm course. The ultimate goal is to ensure that students have acquired core competencies in dispensing medicines and other areas of pharmacy practice and to reinforce their discipline, integrity, judgement, skills, knowledge and quest for learning, thus allowing them to become registered pharmacists who can exercise their professional skills and carry out their duties and responsibilities professionally.

The regulations state that the PCI may establish an authority, known as the Prescribed Authority, to conduct the exit examination as decided by the PCI. The candidates may appear for the examination twice every year or as frequently as required according to the schedule announced by the Prescribed Authority. The procedure for conducting the test will be in accordance with the scheme announced by the PCI. The date of examination and examination centers will be allocated to the candidate by the Prescribed Authority based on the availability of examination centers.

The examination will consist of three papers of multiple choice questions in areas such as pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, hospital and clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical jurisprudence, and drug store management. The language of the examination will be English and each paper will have a duration of three hours.

A candidate will be declared as having passed the examination only if they obtain a minimum of 50% marks in each paper separately. A candidate will have to pass all three papers in the same attempt, but there will be no restriction on the number of attempts to appear for the examination. A certificate of eligibility for enrollment and practice will be issued to successful candidates, which will be presented to the State Pharmacy Council for registration as a pharmacist.

It is important to note that a recent circular claiming to be from the PCI announced that the exams would be conducted from August 18th to 25th, but this was later clarified by the PCI as a fake circular.