Pharm-D Scope in Pakistan, Jobs, Salary, Universities, Subjects, Fee, Merit, FAQs

Scope of Pharm-D in Pakistan, Intro, Job Areas, Salary, Job Types, Universities, Eligibility Criteria, Subjects, Merit, Benefits, Fee, Qualities Required & Frequently Asked Questions
In search of knowledge about Pakistan’s Doctor of Pharmacy program? You have come to the perfect spot! This career counselling based educational article of jobsstudy.pk offers a deep dive into career scope Pharm-D degree program. Get the scoop on this blossoming field & launch your career in healthcare right away!

Introduction to Pharm-D

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) is a 5 year university degree program regulated by the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan(PCP). It equips individuals with knowledge & skills to practice pharmacy in Pakistan with responsibility, proficiency & morality. The Pharm-D program focuses on supporting the development of competent professionals in pharmacy practice, drug delivery systems, drug formularies & management. Doctor of pharmacy degree program is considered first best alternative program of MBBS & BDS in Pakistan. Its an ideal degree after FSc pre medical even for female students.

Pharm-D Scope in Pakistan, Jobs, Salary, Universities, Subjects, Fee, Merit, FAQs

The objective is to create professional pharmacists with clinical research skills, who can provide safe & cost-effective medications to patients. It also aims to prepare graduates who can contribute to national & international level health-related problems. This includes quality education & training based on evidence-based medical practices & improved access to pharmaceutical care.

The Pharm-D provides multifaceted development including:

Educational advancement
Knowledge advancement in sciences relevant to practice of pharmacy.
Research experiences, exposure to multidisciplinary approaches, patient-oriented pharmaceutical services, WHO protocols & ACCP practices.

Career Opportunities in Pharm-D

The Pharm-D degree equips pharmacists with a vast range of clinical skills & knowledge. In Pakistan, there is a great demand for Pharm-D professionals. This will continue in the future too.

These individuals have an in-depth understanding of pharmacology, pharmacy practice & drug formulations. Therefore, they can pursue both research- or practice-based careers, such as:

Clinical Consultant – Give advice to medical practitioners on clinical practices & pharmaceutical products.

Drug Design Specialist – Design strategies for drugs & research their therapeutic properties.

Pharmacist – Hand out medications prescribed by physicians. Also, give advice to patients in hospital or institutional settings.

Regulatory Scientist/Formulation Officer – Get approval from government agencies for new drugs. Plus, do research to improve existing products.

Research Scientist/Investigator – Do studies on drug safety, efficacy & stability.

Drug Safety Professional/Medical Writer – Monitor drugs after approval from regulatory bodies. Also, ensure the drugs are labeled correctly according to safety guidelines.

In short Doctor of Pharmacy graduates have a variety of career opportunities in the medical field, from hospital pharmacy services to industrial pharmacy to pharmaceutical marketing & regulatory services. They can also get research and development positions at drug information centers, drug testing laboratories & drug courts. Additionally, Pharm-D degree holders can provide clinical services to patients in need.

Universities & Colleges in Pakistan Offering Pharm-D Degree Program in Pakistan

Large number of universities and colleges in Pakistan are offering Pharm-D program in Pakistan including IUB, UOM, QAU, LUMHS, University of Sindh, DUHS, KUST, LCWU, PU Lahore, UVAS, BZU Multan, KMU Peshawar, UOP, UOB, Riphah International University, Baqai Medical University, STMU, Hamdard University, IU, Nazeer Hussain University, Salim Habib University, Sohail University, FCCU, HU, GIU, Lahore Leads University, Minhaj University, UOL, Superior University, UMT, USA, Abasyn University, Cecos University, City University, Grand Asian University, Comsats, FUUAST & RLMC etc.

Benefits of Getting Admission a Pharm-D Degree Program

A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) is a professional doctorate degree, allowing holders to practice independently in pharmacy. Getting this qualification brings many benefits & career opportunities in medicine & pharmaceutics.

It gives the opportunity to take on complex medical tasks & direct patient care, plus accreditation for prescribing medications. Many hospitals now require their pharmacists to have obtained a Pharm-D before being hired. Even now it is also mandatory for medical stores in Pakistan to hire the services of Pharm-D graduates. Some medical stores even hire the degrees of these doctors of pharmacy for fulfilling this mandatory conditions. Many Pharm-D degree holders have also opened their own medical stores and pharmacies. Some of them even have established their own pharmaceutical companies. They also train the medical representatives in the pharmaceutical companies to work in the field with medical practitioners.

Having a Pharm-D displays expertise in biomedical sciences, and provides access to higher salary grades depending on employer or sector. In Pakistan, jobs at reputable pharmaceutical companies start at PKR 70,000 per month plus bonuses. Specialized medical research positions can earn between PKR 150,000 – 200,000 monthly.

With a Pharm-D, there is scope for entrepreneurial ventures, such as opening independent pharmacies or consultancy roles with high starting wages. It also provides flexibility when applying skillset into various roles including pharmaceutical manufacturing or policy making. This offers financial rewards & satisfaction from meaningful projects impacting the wider community!

Eligibility Criteria for Pharm-D in Pakistan

To qualify for a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) program in Pakistan, students must have:

An Intermediate Certificate in Pre-Medical Sciences or equivalent subject from a recognised institute with 60% aggregate marks.
Also, they must pass an entrance examination conducted by a university or a testing agency. Those who succeed, will have to appear in interview. Then merit is calculated on the basis of marks obtained in matriculation, FSc pre medical/A-Level, entry test and interview.

Subjects Taught in Pharm-D Program

This Pharm-D program covers the Islamic Studies, Functional English, Pharmaceutics, Islamic Studies, Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Organic), Pharmaceutical Mathematics, Physiology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Biochemistry), Pak Studies, Communication & Writing Skills, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy Practice(Pharmaceutical Mathematics), Clinical Pharmacy, Anatomy, Hospital Pharmacy, Histology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Management and Marketing, Forensic Pharmacy, Advanced Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Quality Management, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Industrial Pharmacy, Computer & its Applications in Pharmacy, Community Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Pathology, Dispensing Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Immunology, Dosage Forms Science and Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Immunology among other topics. Aspiring pharmacists will get hands-on training under medical supervision to learn how to dispense medicines correctly.

At the end of their studies, they must pass a final examination & submit a dissertation on a specialised topic to get their Doctoral degree in Pharmacy (Pharm-D).

Pharm-D Course Structure in Pakistan

The Pharm-D (Doctor of Pharmacy) program in Pakistan is a five-year course. It builds on the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSc. Pharm).

During studies, students learn about dispensary practice, clinical pharmacy principles, communication skills & research methods for medicine use.

The aim of the program is to make pharmacists who know about patient-centred care & business practices of the pharmaceutical market.

At the end of the program, graduates should:

1-Understand medicinal products’ therapeutic value, safety, efficacy & use/application.
2-Recognize medical conditions that can be managed through pharmaceuticals.
3-Analyze appropriateness of medicine use & advise patients.
4-Create treatment plans for chronically ill patients.
5-Compile reports on drug activity.
6-Carry out drug administration monitoring (like patient compliance).
7-Perform hospital pharmacy services (like medication procurement & storage).
8-Coordinate with health care providers.
9-Advise on general health practices.

Graduates can choose different career options like clinical research associates, medical representatives or regulatory affairs officers.

Pharm-D Program Cost in Pakistan

The cost of a Pharm-D program in Pakistan is different for each university. It typically ranges from 600,000 to 1,000,000 PKR. In some instances, it can be higher. This depends on the course credits, length & teaching facilities.

Aside from the course fee, students need to think about other costs like hostel fees, books, stationary, project trips & exam fees. All in all, an estimated 200,000-400,000 PKR per year for 5 years is necessary.

It’s best to explore scholarships & financial aid to reduce the financial burden of a Pharm-D program in Pakistan. Faculty & university authorities can help with this.

Pharm-D Job Market in Pakistan

The scope of Pharm-D (Doctor of Pharmacy) in Pakistan is huge. Many students are tempted to become pharmacists there, as the healthcare sector is growing. Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies & research centers seek trained personnel to provide expert pharmacological advice & administer medications properly.

Apart from medical establishments, pharmacy technicians & pharmacists are in demand in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies & drug wholesalers.

Research & development in this field are also possible. Universities like Karachi University offer postgraduate fellowships related to clinical research, drug innovation & design & pharmaceutical biotechnology.

If you want a global experience, you can explore positions abroad with foreign NGOs or consultancies. Many companies abroad want an advanced degree such as a Master’s or even a PhD for some jobs.

Being a pharmacy graduate or doctor of pharmacy you may also join allied health sciences institutes, paramedical colleges (Specially those which offer pharmacy assistant diploma program), homeopathic colleges and tibbiya colleges as lecturer of pharmacy. After completion of your master degree you may also join pharmacy colleges as lecturer.

Now as per new drap law herbal pharmaceutical companies , homeopathic pharmaceutical companies, homeopathic medical stores and herbal medical stores also need to hire the services of pharmacy graduates to ensure quality of service, so jobs after Pharm-D are increasing every year.

After completing your Pharm-D qualification in Pakistan, you can start your own business – serving in a clinic/hospital, setting up an independent retail drug store, working as a quality control analyst or clinical research consultant/assistant, etc. This profession is highly profitable.

Qualities Required in a Doctor of Pharmacy

A Doctor of Pharmacy must demonstrate a friendly tone of voice when communicating with patients & colleagues. They should be patient & understanding in their interactions, showing empathy & compassion for those they are helping. The doctor must also have excellent communication skills, being able to clearly explain complex concepts in an easily understandable manner.

Additionally, the Pharm-D graduates should be highly organized & detail-oriented, having a thorough knowledge of medications, dosages & drug interactions. They should have an urge for research to serve the humanity at large. Finally, the Pharm-D degree holders should have a commitment to professional development through education, research & participation in conferences or other activities related to pharmacy.

How to Become a Successful Doctor of Pharmacy? Tips

If you really want to become a successful doctor of pharmacy then do follow these super tips by jobsstudy.pk;

1. Develop excellent communication & interpersonal skills: As a Doctor of Pharmacy, you will be interacting with patients, colleagues & other healthcare professionals of various fields. You will need to be able to communicate effectively & professionally in order to deliver the best patient care possible.

2. Build strong problem-solving skills: You will be tasked with making decisions that affect patient safety & health outcomes. To do this successfully, you must develop strong problem-solving skills so that you can make the right choices at the right time.

3. Stay up-to-date on new medications & treatments: The world of medicine is constantly evolving, and it is important for pharmacists to stay informed of the latest developments in their field. Staying current on new medications & treatments is key to being successful as a Doctor of Pharmacy.

4. Research is key to success: Research is the key to success in the field of pharmacy. Our local herbs can cure unlimited diseases but nobody in Pakistan is ready to conduct research on these medicinal herbs. Remember the first allopathic medicine for hypertension was invented by Dr Salim uz Zaman Saddique by researching on a local herb. If you really want to become a successful pharmacist then go for your master degree after D pharma and then enter in the arena of research.

5. Prioritize patient safety: Patient safety should always be your top priority when dispensing medications, so it is important that you are familiar with all related laws & regulations. Make sure you understand all the different safety protocols before dispensing any medication.

6. Foster relationships with other healthcare professionals: As a Doctor of Pharmacy, it’s important to foster relationships with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses & other pharmacists. This way, you can ensure that patients receive the best care possible by utilizing the collective expertise of everyone involved in their treatment plan. Hopefully now after following these smart tips you will also try to become a successful doctor of pharmacy.

Conclusion

To sum up, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree is great for those interested in pharmacy. It has good pay, job security & the chance to help people in their community. Plus, Pakistan is experiencing shortages of medical professionals, so there are lots of chances for a career in healthcare.

A Pharm-D degree offers exciting prospects, with training & dedication. It is an ever-changing field, with meaningful & rewarding work.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the scope of pharm-D in Pakistan?

A1: Pharm-D is a five year program, which is a professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The scope of Pharm-D in Pakistan is expanding with different opportunities available in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, clinics, research laboratories & academic institutions.

Q2: What types of jobs can a Pharm-D holder have in Pakistan?

A2: A Pharm-D holder can have various types of jobs in Pakistan, such as pharmaceutical sales representative, clinical pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, research associate, drug safety officer, regulatory affairs specialist, medical writing, etc.

Q3: What is the salary of a pharm-D holder in Pakistan?

A3: The salary of a Pharm-D holder in Pakistan depends on the type of job and the experience of the individual. On average, a Pharm-D holder can expect to earn a salary of around Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 100,000 per month.