A Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree given to a person who has completed the highest level of academic study in the field of pharmacy. In some countries, including the US, it is a first professional degree, and a prerequisite for licensing. In other countries such as Canada, and formerly in the aforementioned countries, it is an advanced-level degree, equivalent to a Ph.D., and can only be taken by pharmacists holding a bachelor of pharmacy and who have already been in the workplace. Qualifications to receive a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as well as the privilege granted to holders of such a degree, vary from country to country.

North America

Canada

In Canada the PharmD program is offered in both English and French. Currently in Canada the PharmD program is a post-baccalaureate program. Students enrolled in the program must have graduated from a CCAPP (Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) or an ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) school with an accredited teaching program or must have passed the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) Evaluating and Qualifying examinations.
As of fall 2007, the PharmD program is offered at the Université de Montréal (in French) and is the first Canadian university to give this program instead of the baccalaureate program in pharmacy. The PharmD program was offered as a graduate program.

United States

In the United States, the PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice.

Previously, in the United States, the bachelor's degree in pharmacy was the first-professional degree for pharmacy practice. Some schools and colleges of pharmacy offered a post-baccalaureate graduate Pharm.D. degree. These graduate level degrees became prevalent in US programs in the late 1960s. In 1990, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) mandated that a doctor of pharmacy degree would be the new first-professional degree. Subsequently, most programs transitioned from a full graduate level degree program to a first professional degree program. Currently all accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy in the US offer the Pharm.D. degree. Many also offer post-Pharm.D. graduate programs in specialized areas of the profession.

Europe

Spain

In Spain, Pharmacy studies can be accessed after completing five and a half years of University College (with at least 6 months of initiation to Pharmacy Practice). After being graduated the pharmacists should register in the Spanish Pharmacy Association then the PharmD like degree is issued. The PharmD US degree is therefore equivalent to the Licenciado en Farmacia or Grado en Farmacia (Pharmacy Degree) Spanish degree because it is the only title that allows to practice the profession of Pharmacy in Spain. To become a Hospital Pharmacist a person with a degree in Pharmacy must enter a selection process (national selection process called FIR) to initiate a Pharmacy Residency period of professional training during 4 additional years (including one full year of advanced clinical practice in different medical wards). Apart from the professional degrees, like with any other university studies, Pharmacy degree allows to pursue an academic career by enrolling masters and doctorates programs (MSc and PhD) in several scientific fields (pharmaceutical technology, pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical and organic chemistry, physical chemistry, food sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, public health, etc.). Masters usually lasts 1–2 years and PhD's no less than 4 years.

In summary, in Spain a PharmD lasts 5,5 years and a Hospital Pharmacy Specialist needs 9.5 years of education and/or training. Hospital Pharmacy Residents are paid during their residency period. There are other residencies avalailable to pharmacists such as Medical Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Radiopharmacy, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Industrial Pharmacy lasting from 2 to 4 years.
Pharmacists usually work as retail pharmacists (private practice), hospital pharmacists, primary care pharmacists, medical biologists, scientists (private and public biomedical research institutions), as university professors (Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, Food Sciences, Biochemistry, Veterinary, Nursing, etc.), and as technicians and exceutive managers (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and governmental institutions).

Portugal

In Portugal, Pharmacy studies can be accessed after completing 4 years of basic school, 5 years of preparatory school, and three years of high school where afterward the student is submitted to nation wide exams. The process is the same for every degree the student chooses, from medicine to engineering.
The student takes the Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (equivalent to the PharmD program) in one of the 9 Pharmacy faculties with their own respective numerous clausus which comprises a 6 year rigorous study (5 with the uniformities in EU teaching). Finished the degree the student then enrolls in the regulatory institution for the Pharmacist profession in Portugal called, "Pharmacists Order" or in Portuguese "Ordem dos Farmacêuticos". After the enrollment the title of Doctor of Pharmacy is issued. Afterward, Pharmacists can become their career in a limitless number of professional areas that range from community pharmacies, drug development, health research, biotechnology to areas such as forensic sciences, food analysis and toxicology. The student can also choose to become a specialist in one of following areas of activity: Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Regulamentation, Hospital Pharmacy, and Clinical Analysis. Each and everyone of them require an additional 5 year professional study program guided by a tutor in the respective area of knowledge. This specialization is composed of regular evaluations performed by the professional order, which at the end of the 5 years performs an exam. After the success at the exam, the Pharmacist then becomes a specialist, respectively, an Industrial Pharmacist, Regulamentation Pharmacist, Comunitary Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, and Clinical Analyst.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, the PharmDr. (Pharmaciae doctor) diploma can be obtained by pharmacists who have previously graduated in pharmacy (Magister, Mgr.) (the undergraduate study of pharmacy takes 5 years). Applicants must defend a research or experimental thesis, and pass a rigorous examination. The PharmDr. title is highly prestigious. It is different from the postgraduate Ph.D. diploma.

France

In France, pharmacy studies can only be accessed through a competitive examination ("concours", with numerus clausus) happening at the end of the first year, similarly to Medicine studies. Most candidates hold a Scientific Baccalaureate from the equivalent to high schools (lycée). In case of failure, it is possible to retry once (twice in extremely rare cases). Yearly success rate depends on the university's current numerus clausus and the number or registered students, ranging from 10 to 40% bearing in mind that second-time participants are three to four times more likely to succeed than students trying for the first time.

The studies last a minimum of 6 years, or 9 years for students choosing hospital pharmacy or medical biology. It is a residency accessible through another competitive exam, even more selective. It lasts four years and give an another diploma of specialist like in medicine (DES for "diplôme d'études spécialisées" ) .
Students must specialise when entering the 5th year, and choose between dispensing pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry or hospital internship. In any case, a 12-month part-time hospital externship is mandatory during the 5th year, although some flexibility is possible for students choosing industry.

6th year for industry is generally dedicated to further specialisation with a former diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées (DESS)/Professional Master's degree or a former diplôme d'études approfondies (DEA)/Research Master's degree.

State diploma for the Doctorate of Pharmacy, Pharm D., is granted to pharmacists after they have completed a thesis (

In France, since the harmonization of European Union in September 2005, the student who chooses the industry/research orientation have a 6 month period of part time hospital externship, and 3 to 6 month of full time training in a pharmaceutical industry or a research lab.

It is also possible to defend a research thesis for preparing a Ph.D.

Hungary

In Hungary, pharmacists obtain their Master's degree, after 5 years of study. On the fifth year,
students must undergo a professional training, that lasts for six months in a public pharmacy
or a hospital.
At the end of this period, the student must pass a nation wide exam to be legally entitled
for practicing the profession of pharmacy, after acquiring the pharmacist work license.
According to the new law in 2008, all pharmacists, who have acquired the Masters degree of Pharmacy,
are entitled to the Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy).

Italy

In Italy the Master's degree in Pharmacy last 5 years, which includes a 6-months professional training in a public pharmacy or hospital. At the end of this period, the student must pass a nation wide exam to be legally entitled for practising the profession of pharmacist. The subscription to "Pharmacists Order", or in Italian "Ordine dei Farmacisti", is required for working in public pharmacies or hospitals. It is not required if the pharmacist is working in a private entity (e.g. a pharmaceutical company).

After having obtained the Master degree in Pharmacy, the student may also choose to become a specialist in Hospital Pharmacy, with an additional 5 year professional study program and respective final exam.

Netherlands

The education of pharmacists in the Netherlands requires a minimum of six years of university study. EU-harmonisation has led to division into three bachelor and three master years. A bachelor title is, however, not used at all professionally. The Dutch consider the educational level of their current (M.Sc.) Degree in Pharmacy to be comparable to the PharmD title in use in the United States. Before the harmonization a four year Master of Science was superseded by two more years of university education preparing for pharmacy practice. To become a hospital pharmacist a 4-year residency program has to completed after that.

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

The Gulf Pharmacy College, under the Gulf Medical University is the First Institution in the region to provide an innovative, integrated, comprehensive and patient-centered Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) Program to the qualified students, using world-class facilities, clinical simulations and the latest technologies to ensure excellence in pharmacy practice. The teaching/learning is based on directed self-learning, critical thinking, evidence-based and patient related approach. The didactic part of the program focuses on the integration of basic and medical sciences subjects which are clinically oriented.
Clinical simulations in various subjects allow the students to enhance their skills and monitor their performance through self-assessments using I.T. learning means. Students are exposed from the early stage to the clinical environment in order to better understanding the relations of the human body to the clinical practice.

Iran

In 1930 Tehran University changed the Pharmacy degree from Masters to doctorate (Pharm.D. or Doctor in Pharmacy) and the duration of the study was increased to 5 years. Graduates need to present and defend their theses in different fields of pharmacy and this adds another year to their studies and generally after 6 years students can graduate as Doctor in Pharmacy.
The Masters degree in Pharmacy was available in Tehran University since 1926.

Lebanon

In Lebanon, the first Doctor of Pharmacy degree was awarded by the Lebanese University Faculty of Pharmacy (upon a decree by the Lebanese government) to its graduating class of 19 students in 1992. The program was first established by Dr. Anwar Bikhazi, a Pharmacy graduate of the American University of Beirut with a PhD from the prestigious University of Michigan. The 6-year entry level PharmD program at the Lebanese University adopted the US PharmD curriculum and training. Enrollment into the program is highly competitive with an average admission rate of 20% of applicants. This was the leading PharmD program in the Middle East, which was followed by other mirror copies of similar programs in Lebanon and neighboring countries, such as the one provided by the Lebanese American University (LAU).

Qatar

In Qatar, pharmacy degrees are offered by the new at the . Students were accepted into the 5-year BSc (Pharm) program commencing in 2007. Students will be accepted into the final year of the 6-year PharmD program in 2011. Accordingly, the first graduates of the PharmD program are expected in 2012. The program adopts a Canadian curriculum and received early accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) in February 2009. This is the first international program to undergo review and receive accreditation by this sole Canadian accreditation agency.

Saudi Arabia

Started in 2001 at KAU, then in 2005 at Ibn-Sina University, then 2006 at KFU, then 2007 at Qassim University. In 2008, KSU College of Pharmacy at Riyadh, College of Pharmacy at Kharj, and Taif University started their PHARM-D programs.

The degree duration in Saudi Arabia is six years in total including one academic year clinical rotations.

According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), if a student graduated from a (minimum six years) PHARM-D degree, the graduate have the chance to further develop himself. This can be achieved by taking Accredited Residency Training Program that is at least one year long (total seven years minimum). Upon successfully completing both the Residency program and the PHARM-D, the graduate can apply for Professional Equivalent (only equivalent in practice) to the Master degree in Pharmacy.

Egypt

The degree is offered in numerous universities. The study material is explained in Arabic. The text books and exams are in English, however the final thesis must be provided in English. Such universities offering this type of curriculum include: Cairo University, Ain Shams University, Alexadria University, Zagazig University, Mansoura University, Suez Canal University, Assuit University and Tanta University.

Asia

India

What
D Pharm (2 years course) is the minimum qualification required to be a registered pharmacist in India. B Pharm (4 years course) course is offered in various Universities since long time. Recently Pharmacy Council of India permitted few universities to start Pharm D (6 years course)
.nn

And also the Pharmacy Council of India permitted few universities to start pharm D (post baccalaureate)course (2 years + 1 year internship in a 300 bedded hospital)for B pharmacy graduates, the first batch pharm D set will come at 2011 (Pharm D (post baccalaureate)) students especially for B.pharmacy graduates only.

To this effect government of India published in the gazette of India, no 19, part 3, section 4 on 10th MAY 2008.
but getting a job here is a bit difficult as there is no expansion about the course and the subject.

In Bangladesh B.pharm(4years course) is the minimum qualification for being a registered pharmacist.Here M.pharm(1years after B.pharm) is also available.

Philippines

In the Philippines, only the Centro Escolar University offers the degree Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The degree requires the completion of 52 units of formal course work and 36 units of clinical rotation done at the Makati Medical Center. It is a 2-year postbaccalaureate degree open to licensed pharmacists in the Philippines.

Thailand

In Thailand, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)program first established at Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Naresuan University in 1992.

Pakistan

'PAKISTAN;Pharmacy Council of Pakistan and HEC permitted few universities to start Pharm D (5 years). Doctor of Pharmacy course is spread over a period of five years. Each year terminates to a professional examination. The subjects in each year are approved by the Academic Council of University of the Punjab, Lahore and Higher Education Commission formerly known as University Grant Commission. Candidates for admission should have completed F.Sc. (Pre-medical) or B.Sc. (After F.Sc. Pre-medical) or equivalent examination holding at least 2nd Division in the Examination on the basis of which he/she is seeking admission. All the students (except foreigners) must have to appear in Entry Test. To practice in Pakistan, pharmacist must be enroled with either provincial councils or to Pakistan Pharmacy Council.
An outline of course and subjects that are currently being taught at Punjab University are as follows:

Course Name... Term/ Semester/ Year of study

Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I (Organic) 1st Year
Pharmaceutical Biochemiry 1st Year
Pharmaceutics-I (Physical Pharmacy) 1st Year
Physiology & Histology 1st Year
Anatomy 1st Year
Pharmaceutical Mathematics & Biostatistics 1st Year
Pharmaceutics-II (Pharmaceutical Preparations) 2nd Year
Pharmacology and Therapeutics-I 2nd Year
Pharmacognosy-I 2nd Year
Pharmaceutical Microbiology 2nd Year
Pakistan Studies and Islamiat (Compulsory) 2nd Year
Pathology 3rd Year
Pharmacology and Therapeutics-II 3rd Year
Pharmacognosy-II 3rd Year
Pharmaceutics-III (Dispensing and Community Pharmacy) 3rd Year
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II (Analytical) 3rd Year
Pharmaceutics-IV (Hospital Pharmacy) 4th Year
Pharmaceutics-V (Clinical Pharmacy-I) 4th Year
Pharmaceutics-VI (Industrial Pharmacy) 4th Year
Pharmaceutics-VII (Biopharmaceutics) 4th Year
Pharmaceutics-VIII (Pharmaceutical Quality Control) 4th Year
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-III (Medicinal) 5th Year
Pharmaceutics-IX (Clinical Pharmacy-II) 5th Year
Pharmaceutical Technology 5th Year
Forensic Pharmacy 5th Year
Pharmaceutical Management & Marketing 5th Year
Computer and its Applications in Pharmacy 5th Year
Pharmacy Council of Pakistan is a professional body responsible for the registration of pharmacists and promotion of pharmacy education in the country.
Contact address':
Mr. Naziruddin Ahsan Secretary Pharmacy Council of Pakistan
Taimur Chamber, Blue Area, Islamabad
Tel: (051) 9204191
Pharm D is a basic degree course at the moment and eligibility criteria for Ph.D. Other eligible qualification are B. Pharmacy, Pharm. D., M. Phil degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.

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