What are PharmD students asking?
What is the difference between B.Pharm, Doctrate of Pharmacy, and Doctor in India?
| Feature | B.Pharm / M.Pharm | PharmD |
| Degree Level | Pharmacy degree | Pharmacy degree (equivalent to a doctorate) |
| Recognized By | Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) | Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) |
| Title | No "Dr." title | Eligible to use "Dr." title |
| Clinical Studies | Less clinical focus | More clinical studies during the course |
| Registered as a Pharmacist? | Yes | Yes |
| Can I practice as a Doctor? | No | No (though often misunderstood as being a doctor) |
Where can PharmD students work in India?
After a PharmD in India, you have multiple roles in India to work as a:
- Clinical Research
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Medical Affairs/ Medical Advisor
- Pharmacovigilance
- Medical Science Liaison
- Drug Safety and Regulatory Affairs
- Clinical Data Management
You can also open a pharmacy or a pharmacy company, as long as their profile allows it, but they cannot open a clinic of their own.
What’s the PharmD salary in India vs abroad?
India: ₹3-7 lakh p.a is the starting salary of a PharmD postgraduate, and after 3-5 years of experience as a pharmacist, the average salary range in India is between ₹8-12 lakh per annum.
Abroad: $50,000-$ 70,000 p.a is the starting salary of PharmD degree holders working abroad. ( We’ll discuss this in more detail with specific roles later in the blog)
Also Read: Australia vs Ireland for PharmD Graduates
Which occupation or profile is suitable for a PharmD?
The best role after PharmD would depend on your interests, as all the above roles have their own career paths, benefits, and perks. You can also opt for abroad opportunities after a pharmacy degree.
What is PharmD, and how is it different from B.Pharm & M.Pharm degrees?
Those who have done B. Pharm, M.Pharm, and PharmD are equivalent in terms of degree, and they serve the role of a pharmacist in India and abroad. However, PharmD is the only degree considered a pharmacist in the USA, UAE, Ireland, and Canada.
According to them, B.Pharm and M.Pharm are not valid degrees for a pharmacist, as a 5-year complete degree is required to be considered a pharmacist in their country, and in that case, PharmD is only considered as a pharmacist's degree.
It is common to have future concerns while you are pursuing your pharmacy degree. We will try our best to answer them all and also help you in your pharmaceutical journey abroad.
Best Career Opportunities after PharmD India vs Abroad
1. Hospital & Clinical & Clinical Pharmacy
Clinical pharmacists interact more with the patient and play an important role in patient care. Providing prescriptions and ensuring they follow them rigorously. They monitor progress, assess the results of treatment, and educate patients on proper drug use and adjustment. Hospital pharmacists manage the preparation and supply of medicines within hospitals. Career options after PharmD: India vs. abroad.
Hospital pharmacists ensure that medicines are ordered well in advance, stored securely, prepared, and dispensed in hospitals. They also manage the pharmacy, keep track of medicine supplies, and follow safety rules.
Best suited for: Individuals who enjoy direct patient care and making clinical decisions.
In Demand In:
USA (FPGEE, NAPLEX), UK (OSPAP, GPhC), Australia (AHPRA, OPRA), Ireland (PSI), Gulf (DHA, MOH, QCHP)
Salaries:
India: ₹30,000–₹1.2 L/month
Abroad: $50,000–$120,000+/year
Related Article: Clinical Pharmacist vs. Retail Pharmacist
2. Working abroad as a licensed pharmacist
To expand your career internationally, you can open exciting opportunities to become a licensed pharmacist in another country. The process usually involves passing a set of licensing examinations and completing an internship. Once you are eligible, you are effective for spreading medicines, consulting patients, giving vaccines, and ensuring treatment, usually with more professional freedom than seen in India.
Countries with well-developed healthcare systems provide more recognition, better working environments, and excellent salaries to pharmacists. These roles are highly regulated, which often translates into better job protection and long-term development.
Major exams to qualify: USA: FPGE, NAPLEX, Canada: PEBC, UK: OSPAP, GPHC, Australia/New Zealand: AHPRA, OPRA, Ireland: PSI, Middle East: DHA, Moh, QCHP
Most suitable for those who want global exposure, better earnings, and advancement in a structured career.
Salary Comparison:
India: ₹ 55,000 to ₹ 80,000 per year
Abroad (with experience): $ 100,000 to $ 150,000+ per year
3. Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Research
This area of pharmacy focuses on drug safety and research. In pharmacovigilance, professionals analyze reports of side effects to identify risks and improve patient safety.
Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) ensure that tests for new drugs are done according to strict guidelines and that the data collected is accurate and reliable. Another important role in this field is medical writing.
Medical writers are responsible for creating detailed reports, research summaries, and scientific documents required for drug approval and publications.
These jobs are crucial for ensuring that new and existing drugs are safe and effective.
Who’s Hiring: Top companies like IQVIA, Parexel, Novartis, Accenture, Dr. Reddy’s, and Sun Pharma.
If you are detail-oriented, enjoy working with data, and are interested in how medicines evolve from research to market.
Salary Range:
India: ₹30,000–₹1.5 lakh per month
Abroad: $60,000–$120,000+ per year
Also Read: PharmD Job Market Trends 2025
4. Pharma Industry (Non-Sales Roles)
Not everyone wants to be in sales in the drug field. Thankfully, many high-effect roles are more strategy-focused. Regulatory affairs officials deal with all paperwork and compliance required to obtain drugs approved by health officials. The professional matters of medical cases act as a bridge between scientists and commercial teams, which provide major insight and research aid.
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLS) interact with major health professionals and researchers to exchange knowledge and collect clinical data. These positions are great for those who enjoy working with science but prefer a role that is less about selling and more about guiding strategy and ensuring compliance.
What should be considered on this? Those who prefer to work behind the curtains in strategic roles, without fieldwork or direct sales pressure.
Best for: Those who prefer strategic and regulatory roles with minimal or no field work. Excellent for PharmDs with strong communication skills and scientific knowledge.
Career Path: Strong growth trajectory into global strategy, compliance, or director-level positions.
Salaries:
India: ₹50,000–₹2.5 L/month
Abroad: $70,000–$140,000+/year
5. Academic & Teaching
Lecturers and Assistant Professors in pharmacy colleges teach core subjects like pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, and medicinal chemistry. Academic researchers pursue innovative studies and may collaborate internationally. A PhD opens doors to advanced roles, such as Head of Department (HOD), Dean, or Director, in universities.
Best for: PharmD graduates are passionate about teaching, curriculum development, and academic research.
Opportunities:
Govt. colleges (via NET/SET) and private universities. Scholarships and fellowships are available for pursuing PhDs abroad, such as the Fulbright, DAAD, and Australia Awards.
Salaries:
India: ₹30,000–₹1 L+/month
Abroad (PhD + experience): $50,000–$100,000/year (as faculty)
How can Academically help PharmD students to migrate abroad?
If you have completed a pharmacy degree, be it B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and PharmD from India, Academically helps you in full assistance on how you can work as a pharmacist abroad, and helps you in clearing each exam of the respective countries. Here’s an example for a few:
- USA (FPGEE & NAPLEX)
- Ireland (PSI Exam)
- Australia (AHPRA registration pathway & OPRA(earlier known as KAPS Exam)
- UK (OSPAP & GPhC)
- Gulf Countries (DHA, MOH, SPLE, QCHP)
Note: The USA, Saudi Arabia, and Canada only consider the PharmD as the bachelor’s degree in pharmacy; B.Pharm and M.Pharm are not recognised for eligibility criteria.
Who can apply: The course is for overseas-registered pharmacists who want to practice, migrate, and settle in Australia.
Founder of Academically, Dr. Akram Ahmad
He has completed his B.Pharm, PharmD from India, and his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, on a full government scholarship.
- The 1st Indian to receive a "Global Talent Visa" for exceptional individuals.
- Awarded the "Best Promising Researcher Award" by UCSI University, Malaysia
- Among the top 2% of scientists' profiles on ResearchGate, 110 publications in The Lancet, 3000+ citations, an H-index of 30, and an i10-index of 70.
- Has has made an impact on over 700,000+ healthcare professionals across 77 countries.
- Has an expert teaching record in one of the best institutes in Australia, India, and Malaysia.
And he founded Academically Global to open opportunities for aspiring medical students all over the world. Till now, he has helped more than 8000+ pharmacists, doctors, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists, and other healthcare professionals find fulfilling careers.
The countries: Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the Gulf countries.
To bring your dream turns into reality.
Conclusion
PharmD degrees unlock a wide range of career routes at both national and international levels. While India is gradually expanding its roles in clinical and research fields, countries abroad provide better payments, structured career development, and professional recognition, with more opportunities. PharmD graduates should plan better career options. It is important for PharmD graduates to quickly define their goals and get relevant experience to remain competitive. And you know what better options are abroad as a pharmacist?
Your career path is not set in stone—many professionals pivoted into new roles or later moved abroad in their journey. Having the right guidance can make all the difference. A commitment to ongoing learning, certificates, and networking will help you grow in this ever-developing field. And remember, if you are planning to take your pharmacy career abroad, then academically, here you have to support every step.
