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D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects 2023
D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects Overview
D Pharmacy syllabus is divided into four semesters or two years. During this course of study, students receive academic and practical training related to pharmaceutical sciences. The course curriculum covers the fundamentals of pharmacy education that includes D Pharma subjects such as biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and chemistry applications in the pharmaceutical sector. In India, Diploma in Pharmacy (commonly abbreviated as DPharm or DPharma) is a credential awarded to students entering tertiary pharmacy education. The Pharma Council of India has introduced the D Pharma course to enhance the number of workers in the pharmaceutical sector.
For students interested in pursuing a career in the pharmacy sector, the D Pharma programme is an entry-level coursework that acts as a stepping stone. Given that it involves the preparation, administration, and appropriate use of medications meant for therapeutic purposes, a Diploma in Pharmacy is a crucial element in the medical industry. It is a two-year, full-time diploma course that trains students to work in community pharmacies, hospitals, and other pharmaceutically-related settings under the supervision of licenced pharmacists.
If a student has completed higher secondary education in the science stream with physics, chemistry, and either biology or math as subjects, they are eligible to enrol in the course. To become a registered pharmacist, one must register with the pharmacy council after receiving their diploma. A D Pharm holder may also use the lateral entry scheme to enrol in a professional (undergraduate) degree programme for the Bachelor of Pharmacy.
But before that, aspiring students must have a clear idea about what the D Pharmacy syllabus entails and how studying D Pharmacy subjects can help them amass the various aspects of the healthcare industry.
D Pharma Course Structure
The first-year D Pharmacy syllabus introduces students to fundamental/core pharmaceutical aspects that remain common to all. The second-year D Pharmacy subjects provide in-depth study and understanding of particular chemistry, toxicology, etc. principles. Additionally, the application and implementation of concepts learnt during theory sessions are further facilitated through practical lab work. The D Pharma course structure is as follows:
- Core subjects
- Project/thesis submission
- Practical labs
- IV semesters
It must be noted that there are no elective subjects available to students in the D Pharma course since it offers no specialisations. The course structure is wholly designed to include core subjects.
D Pharma Subjects
D Pharm subjects are intended to improve students' knowledge and comprehension of the pharmaceuticals and medications used in medical science. The D Pharm curriculum involves project/dissertation work and theoretical classroom-based instruction to help students better understand the concepts. Common subjects make up the D Pharmacy syllabus; while they may differ slightly from one college to another, they are all nearly the same. Also, there are only core subjects; no electives are offered in this course. Listed below are the D Pharm subjects that will be taught to students over the whole two-year study programme:
- Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology
- Drug store and Business Management
- Health Education & Community Pharmacy
- Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
Sub-Division of First-Year D Pharmacy Subjects
The following table includes the first-year D Pharmacy course subjects that are subdivided into theory and practical. Columns 2 and 3 of the table below show the number of hours devoted to each subject's teaching.
D Pharma First-Year Subjects | Theory Hours | Practical Hours | ||
Weekly | Yearly | Weekly | Yearly | |
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I | 3 | 75 | 3 | 75 |
Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology | 2 | 50 | 3 | 75 |
Health Education & Community Pharmacy | 2 | 50 | - | - |
Pharmaceutics-I | 3 | 75 | 4 | 100 |
Pharmacognosy | 3 | 75 | 3 | 75 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology | 3 | 75 | 2 | 50 |
Total Hours | 16 | 400 | 15 | 375 |
Sub-Division of Second-Year D Pharmacy Subjects
The following table includes the second-year D Pharmacy course subjects that are subdivided into theory and practical. Columns 2 and 3 of the table below show the number of hours devoted to each subject's teaching.
D Pharma Second-Year Subjects | Theory Hours | Practical Hours | ||
Weekly | Yearly | Weekly | Yearly | |
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II | 4 | 100 | 3 | 75 |
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | 2 | 50 | - | - |
Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy | 3 | 75 | 2 | 50 |
Pharmaceutics-II | 3 | 75 | 4 | 100 |
Pharmacology & Toxicology | 3 | 75 | 2 | 50 |
Drug Store and Business Management | 3 | 75 | - | - |
Total Hours | 18 | 450 | 11 | 275 |
D Pharmacy Syllabus (Year-Wise)
As discussed, D Pharma course syllabus is broken down into four semesters over the full-time course duration of two years. Given that the curriculum consists only of core subjects, the course syllabus is devoted to delivering the basis of Pharmacy. It mainly focuses on preparing, dispensing, and using medications for therapeutic purposes. No specialisations are offered, hence the course syllabus is the same throughout with no electives.
First-Year D Pharmacy Syllabus
The following table shows the first-year D Pharmacy course syllabus divided separately for theory and practical lectures along with their respective subjects:
D Pharma First-Year Subjects | Topics Covered in Theory | Topics Covered in Practical |
Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology | Enzymes, Carbohydrates, Introduction to biochemistry, Vitamins, Lipids, Therapeutics (Lymphocytes and Erythrocytes) | Amino acids, Detection and identification of proteins, Carbohydrates and lipids, Analysis of normal and abnormal constituents of Blood and Urine like Alkaline Phosphatase acid, Urea, Glucose, Creatinine, Creatine, Cholesterol, SGPT, Bilirubin, SGOT, Diastase, Calcium, Lipase. Practice in injecting drugs by intramuscular, withdrawal of blood samples, examination of sputum and faeces (microscopic & staining), and Subcutaneous and intravenous routes |
Health Education & community pharmacy | Nutrition and Health, Epidemiology, Concept of Health, Environment and Health, First Aid, Fundamental Principles of Microbiology, Respiratory infections, Arthropod-borne infections, Communicable diseases, Intestinal infection, sexually transmitted diseases, surface infection, Non-communicable diseases | - |
Human Anatomy & Physiology | Sensory Organs, Elementary tissues, Reproductive system, Scope of Anatomy and Physiology, Cardiovascular System, Skeletal System, Respiratory system, Muscular System, Urinary System, Central Nervous System, Digestive System, Endocrine System | Blood Pressure and ECG, Cardiac Muscle, Cardiovascular System, Clotting Time of Blood, Connective Tissue and Nervous Tissues, Determination of RBCs, Digestive System, Ear, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Haemoglobin Value, Examination of Blood Films for TLC, DLC and Malaria Parasite, Heart Rate, Microscopic Examination of Epithelial Tissue, Pulse, Recording of Body Temperature, Reproductive System Eye, Respiratory System, Skeletal Muscle, Smooth Muscle, Study of the Human Skeleton, Study with the Help of Charts and Models of the Following System and Organs, Urinary System |
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I | Dental Products, Antidotes, Antioxidants, Acids, bases and buffers, Topical Agents, Gastrointestinal agents, Antimicrobials and Astringents, Expectorants and Emetics, Respiratory stimulants, Major Intra and Extracellular electrolytes, Radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media, Inorganic official compounds, Identification tests for cations and anions, Quality control of drugs and pharmaceuticals | Array of inorganic pharmaceuticals involving each of the following methods of compounds marked with (*) under theory - 1. Acid-Base titrations (at least 3), 2. Redox titrations (one each of permanganometry and iodimetry), 3. Precipitation titrations (at least 2), 4. Complexometric titration (Calcium and Magnesium). Identification tests for inorganic compounds particularly drugs and pharmaceuticals. Limit test for chloride, Sulphate, Arsenic, Iron and heavy metals. |
Pharmaceutics-I | Aseptic techniques, Metrology, Introduction of different dosage forms, Packaging of pharmaceuticals, Introduction to the drying process, Mixing and Homogenization, Size separation, Extraction and Galenicals, Clarification and Filtration, Distillation, Sterilization, Processing of Tablets, Study of immunological products, Processing of Capsules | Capsules (2), Cosmetic preparations (3), Creams (2), Extracts (2), Ophthalmic preparations (2), Preparation of Aromatic waters (3), Preparations involving (2), Preparations involving aseptic techniques (2), Solutions (4), Spirits (2), Tables (2), Tinctures (4) |
Pharmacognosy | Occurrence, distribution, pharmaceutical aids, History and scope of Pharmacognosy, tannins and resins, chemical constituents, Adulteration and drug evaluation, glycosides, various systems of classification of drugs and natural origin, terpenoids, Brief outline of Alkaloids, organoleptic evaluation, volatile oils, and miscellaneous | Gross anatomical studies drugs including, Cinchona, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Datura, Fennel, Ginger, Identification of Fibres and Surgical Dressing, Ipecacuanha, Nux-Vomica, Senna. Identification of drugs by morphological characters. Physical and chemical tests to evaluate drugs wherever required. |
Second-Year D Pharmacy Syllabus
The following table shows the second-year D Pharmacy course syllabus divided separately for theory and practical lectures along with their respective subjects:
Pharma Second-Year Subjects | Topics Covered in Theory | Topics Covered in Practical |
Pharmacology & Toxicology | Autacoids, Cardiovascular drugs, Chemotherapy of microbial diseases, Disinfectants and antiseptics, Drugs acting on the central Nervous system, Drugs acting on the digestive system, Drugs acting on the respiratory system, Drugs affecting renal function, General mechanism of drugs action, Hormones and hormone antagonists, Introduction to pharmacology, Routes of administration of drugs | Effect of acetylcholine on rectus abdominis muscle of frog and guinea pig ileum. Effect of convulsant and anticonvulsant in mice or rats. Effect of digitalis on frog’s heart. Effect of diphenhydramine in experimentally produced asthma in guinea pigs. Effect of hypnotics in mice. Effect of local anaesthetics on rabbit cornea. Effect of mydriatics and miotics on rabbit’s eye. Effect of potassium and calcium ions, acetylcholine and adrenaline on frog’s heart. Effect of spasmogens and relaxants on rabbit’s intestine. Taming and hypnosis potentiating effect of chlorpromazine in mice/rats. Test for pyrogens. To study the action of strychnine on frogs. |
Pharmaceutics-II | Biphasic Liquid Dosage Forms: Suspensions, Dental and cosmetic preparations, Dispensed Medications, Emulsions, Incompatibilities in prescriptions, Jellies, Liquid oral Dosage forms: Monophasic, Ophthalmic products, Pastes, Posology, Powders, Prescriptions, Semi-Solid Dosage Forms: Ointments, Sterile Dosage forms: Parenteral dosage forms, Sterility testing, Suppositories and pessaries | Dispensing of up to 100 products covering a range of preparations such as solutions, mixtures, emulsions, liniments, and ENT preparations. Ointments, suppositories, powders, incompatible prescriptions, etc. |
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | Latest Drugs (price control) order in force, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971(as amended to date), Medicinal and Toilet preparations (Excise Duties) Act, 1955 (as amended to date), Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic substances Act,1985, Origin and nature of pharmaceutical legislation in India, Pharmacy Act,1948, Poisons Act, 1919 (as amended to date), Principles and significance of Professional Ethics, The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 | - |
Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II | Adrenergic antagonists, Adrenergic drugs, Analgesics and Antipyretics, Antiarrhythmic, Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants, Antidepressant Drugs, Antifungal agents, Antihypertensives & Vitamins, Antileprotic Drugs, Antimalarial Drugs, Antiamoebic and Anthelmintic Drugs, Anti-Neoplastic Drugs, Anti-tubercular Drugs, cardiac glycosides, Cardiovascular Drugs, Cholinergic Antagonists, Coagulants and Anticoagulants, Diagnostic Agents, Diuretic Drugs, General Anaesthetics, Hypnotics, Hypoglycemia Agents, Introduction to the nomenclature of organic chemical systems, Local Anaesthetics, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Steroidal Drugs, Sulphonamides, The chemistry of pharmaceutical organic compounds (Antiseptics and Disinfectants, Tranquilizers) | Systematic qualitative testing of organic drugs involving solubility determination, detection of elements and functional groups (10 compounds), and melting point and/or boiling point. Official identification tests for certain groups of drugs included in the I.P. like barbiturates, sulphonamides, antibiotics, phenothiazines, etc. (8 compounds). Preparation of three simple organic preparations. |
Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy | Part I: Banking and Finance, Commerce- Introduction, Drug House Management, Recruitment, Sales, training. Part II: Adverse Drug Reactions, Bioavailability of drugs, Clinical Pharmacy- Introduction to Clinical pharmacy practice, Common daily terminology used in the practice of Medicine. Disease, Drug dependencies, Drugs in Clinical Toxicity, manifestation and pathophysiology, Modern dispensing aspects, Physiological parameters with their significance. Drug Interactions | - |
Drug store and Business Management | Part I: Banking and Finance, Commerce- Introduction, Drug House Management, Recruitment, Sales, training. Part II: Accountancy- Introduction to accounting concepts & conventions. | - |
D Pharma Important Books
For D Pharmacy to be a highly coveted course, aspiring students must read a wide range of books over the course to concrete their understanding of the subject matter. The following table highlights some most important books to study D Pharmacy course subjects in detail:
Book Name | By Author/s |
Drug Design | V M Kulkarni |
Pharmacognosy I & II | A P Purohit, S B Gokhale and Dr C K Kokate |
Human Anatomy and Physiology | V N Raje |
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | S Chandak |
Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry | Dr K G Bothara |
Pharmaceutics - I | R M Mehta |
Fundamentals of Pharmacology | Dr K K Bothara and Dr K G Bothara |
D Pharm Concise Course in Pharmaceutical Chem -II (second-year) | Dr Jogendra C Hundiwale, MD Usman, Dr MD Rageeb and Ashish B Budhrani |
Pharmaceutical Chemistry - I | A V Kasture |
Compilation of Selected Herbal Drugs | M G Kalaskar and D G Baheti |
Basic Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics | Dr S K Naik |
Health Education & Community Pharmacy | Murugesh |
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