Pharmacology

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Mar 13, 2023 19:31PM IST

Pharmacology Overview

Pharmacology is the cornerstone of the medical profession as drugs are the basis of therapy for human diseases. The goal of Pharmacology courses is to maximise the benefits and minimise the risk of drugs to recipients. It also includes drugs’ history, source, physicochemical properties, dosage forms, methods of administration, absorption, distribution mechanism of action, excretion, clinical uses and adverse effects.

Various types of Pharmacology courses are available in India, from certificate to doctoral courses. To be eligible for full-time bachelor’s or master’s courses students have to qualify in entrance tests like MHT CET, BITSAT, NET, CSIR-NET, NEET-PG and AIIMS-PG. The course is generally offered offline with some online certificate courses available on Udemy, Coursera and other online websites. 

The top Pharmacology colleges in India are Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Madras Medical College, Dr D Y Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and CMR College of Pharmacy. The course fee ranges somewhere between INR 3,000 and 1,50,000 per year. Students, upon graduation, can get into diverse career options such as Research and Development Scientists, Medical Science Liaisons, Pharmacovigilance/Drug Safety Associates, Medical Writers and Editors and Clinical Study Coordinators. 

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Pharmacology Course Highlights

Name of the Course

Pharmacology

Stream

Medical

Degree Level

Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PhD

Course Mode

Regular, Online 

Course Duration

Six months - four years (depending on the Pharmacology course)

Qualification Required

Physics, Chemistry, Biology in 10+2 or a degree in Pharmacology for higher studies

Exam Type

Semester-based

Admission Process

Entrance- or merit-based

Top Colleges in India

Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Institute of Chemical Technology, Madras Medical College, Jamia Hamdard University

Fees Range

INR 3,000 - INR 1,50,000

Career Prospects

Academia, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare industry, research fields

Average Annual Starting Salary

INR 2 lakh - INR 9 lakh

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Why Choose Pharmacology Course?

The field of Pharmacology is continuously evolving with the challenge and demand for new medicines, to find better and safer drugs. The course is suitable for those who are ready to meet the challenges and work with the drug industry and explore how it works. 

  • The course is beneficial for career advancement with ample opportunities to find employment in the drug industry.
  • As new pieces of literature are constantly being added to the existing ones, students can continuously learn from the recent breakthroughs in Pharmacology.
  • Students are equipped with skills to apply their knowledge to real situations and existing challenges.
  • As Pharmacology improves the quality of life of people around the world and gives them the opportunity to live a healthier life, it certainly leads to job satisfaction.
  • Students can be a part of developing medicines to tackle new diseases, identify new treatments, discover new medicines, research to make sure medicines are effective for everyone and help to make sure that the right medicines are prescribed to people.
  • Additionally, the course is interdisciplinary where others get a chance to learn about other branches such as immunology, physiology and biochemistry. Therefore one gets a good background in bioscience.
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Pharmacology Course Types

Encompassing many types of chemicals and medicines that affect the functioning of the body, Pharmacology plays a key role in human health and society. They collect information on how drugs work and function in the body. The course is offered at various levels such as certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree. 

Let us check out the top Pharmacology courses: 

Certificate Program in Pharmacology

  • The basic Pharmacology certificate programme helps to develop fundamental knowledge of Pharmacology and reasoning skills needed to evaluate therapeutically appropriate details of various pharmacological drugs and agents used in medical practices. The course duration is around 6 months to 12 months and is also available in online mode.
  • Some of the popular certifications related to Pharmacology are drug development and project management, basics of clinical Pharmacology, top drug medication, an online certificate programme in modern Pharmacology and a professional certificate in pharmacovigilance.
     

Diploma in Pharmacology

  • A diploma in Pharmacology is designed to give fascinating insights into the field. One can learn the science of drugs and their effects on living systems including how Pharmacology came about and is governed, how drugs are introduced into the body, how they work and how to manage common diseases. 
  • Students who have completed class 12th can opt for a diploma in Pharmacology whereas a postgraduate diploma can be opted for by students with a BSc degree. Some of the courses are diploma in drug store management, diploma in clinical research and pharmacovigilance and post graduate diploma in pharmaceutical chemistry.

Bachelors in Pharmacology

  • BSc in Pharmacology, which goes on for three years, explores in depth the effect of drugs. Aspects of molecular biology, chemistry, physiology and neuroscience are an integral part of bachelor’s in Pharmacology. Apart from that, the action of current drugs and the development of new drugs are taught here. 

Masters in Pharmacology

  • MSc Pharmacology provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical training that will aid them in integrating post-genomic molecular biology with drug discovery and physiological functions. It is a two-year programme consisting of lectures, laboratory sessions and seminars. One can also pursue an MD in Pharmacology which is a medical degree aimed to create highly qualified professionals in this field. 

Doctorate in Pharmacology

  • It is a research-based course of generally three years for students who wish to advance their career in the discovery of new drugs and the development of old ones. They are required to submit research papers or dissertations at the end of the course. 
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Pharmacology Courses Entrance Examinations

Students may have to appear for entrance tests to study Pharmacology at different levels. Though admission to diploma and certificate programmes does not require qualifying for an entrance test, they may need to take the same for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. It is one of the major requirements for admission to universities. Find the list of entrance examinations that one may need to attempt:

Study Level/Programme

Entrance Examination

Full Form

Undergraduate

MHT CET

Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test

UPSEE

Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination 

BITSAT

Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test 

IPU CET

Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test

Postgraduate

HP CET

Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test

NEET-PG

National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (postgraduate only)

AIIMS-PG

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Postgraduate

JPIMER-PG

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research

INI-CET

Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test

Doctoral

NET

National Eligibility Test 

CSIR-NET

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Eligibility Test

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Pharmacology Course Eligibility Criteria

Students can pursue different Pharmacology courses after having cleared 10+2. The common eligibility criteria for various levels of Pharmacology courses are:

Study Level

Eligibility Criteria

Certificate

Must have completed class 12 from a reputed board.

Diploma

Must have completed higher secondary from a reputed institution.

Post Graduate Diploma

Must have graduated with a BSc degree from a recognised university.

Bachelors

Completed 10+2 from a recognised board with science as a stream. 

The must-have subjects are physics, chemistry and biology.

Masters

Must have a BSc in Pharmacology degree from a reputed university.

MD

Must have completed MBBS with at least 55% marks. 

Doctorate 

Must have completed Master’s in Pharmacology with at least 55% for general candidates and 50% for reserved candidates. They also have to qualify for competitive entrance examinations. 

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How to Get Admission to Pharmacology Course?

Admission to Pharmacology courses is generally based on the marks obtained in class XII or on the basis of the test scores of entrance examinations. Admission to most courses starts after May and the classes begin in July or August. The mode of admission is generally online for most courses. Here are some common steps involved in the admission procedure to guide Pharmacology aspirants.

  • Students must note that for certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas, admission is done mostly on the basis of merit whereas, in bachelor’s and master’s degrees, it can be both merit or entrance-based admission.
  • They must first decide which level of study they wish to pursue. After that, they can select the universities that offer Pharmacology courses.  
  • They can fill out the application form online and submit it along with the required documents. They will be asked to put their personal details and marks from previous examinations.
  • Once it is complete, they have to wait till the merit list is prepared or have to appear for the entrance examination. Students may also have to participate in interviews or group discussions that enable the admission committee to select suitable candidates for Pharmacology courses.
  • Once the entire procedure is complete, a final merit list will be available on the college or university website with the names of the selected candidates. Those who will be able to clear the cut-off of entrance examinations will be invited to study the subject. After that, students can pay the admission fee and submit other documents as required by the university.
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Popular Pharmacology Colleges in India

Some of the popular universities in India that provide Pharmacology courses at different levels of study are given in form of a comprehensive list below:

University

Location

Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

New Delhi

Bharati Vidyapeeth University

Pune

Institute of Chemical Technology

Mumbai

Madras Medical College

Chennai

Jamia Hamdard University

New Delhi

Dr D Y Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Pune

Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Vadodara

Madurai Medical College

Madurai

Annamalai University

Chidambaram 

Dayanand Sagar University

Bangalore

Maharshi Dayanand University

Rohtak

CMR College of Pharmacy

Hyderabad

Utkal University

Bhubaneswar

Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University

Kanpur

Lovely Professional University

Jalandhar

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Study Pharmacology Abroad

Pharmacology graduates have a promising career if they complete their courses abroad. They are endowed with both theoretical and practical knowledge that helps them be the best in their profession. Some of the popular universities for Pharmacology abroad are:

University

Location

Oxford University

United Kingdom

University of Western Australia

Australia

Northwestern University

United States

University of Manchester

United Kingdom

University of Dundee

United Kingdom

University of Regina 

Canada

University of Technology Sydney

Australia

University of Reading 

United Kingdom 

Middle Tennessee State University

United States 

University of Rhode Island

United States

Griffith University

Australia

Red River College 

Canada

Swansea University

United Kingdom

James Cook University

Australia

Mohawk College

Canada

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Pharmacology Course Fee

The course fee of Pharmacology varies as per the course type, university location and various other factors. The fees are low for certificate and diploma courses while bachelor’s and master’s degree course costs more. The course-wise fees are given below:

Study Level

Average Annual Fees (in INR)

Certificate

3,000-10,000

Diploma

5,000-20,000

Undergraduate

10,000-1,00,000

Postgraduate

20,000-1,00,000

Doctoral 

30,000-1,50,000

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Pharmacology Course Syllabus

The course content of Pharmacology may be different for institutions but the fundamentals remain the same. Students will be taught as per the requirement of the degree. The syllabus is designed per the dynamic character of Pharmacology to suit the needs of academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry and the community. 

Overall, it ensures that:

  • Students are trained to attitude, knowledge and skills as required for their professional careers.
  • The current learning needs of students are ensured.
  • Employers’ needs in the ever-changing Pharmacology world are met.
  • Sound research is enabled.
  • The requirements of regulatory bodies are met.

The detailed syllabus is given below: 

Pharmacology Syllabus

Introduction to Pharmacology

Routes of drug administration

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Adverse drug Reactions

New drug discovery and clinical trials

Autonomic nervous system Pharmacology

Drugs for cough and Bronchial Asthma

Autacoids

CNS Pharmacology

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Pharmacology

CVS Pharmacology

Endocrine Pharmacology

Gastrointestinal drugs Pharmacology

Blood Pharmacology

Chemotherapy of microbial diseases

Immuno Pharmacology

Chelating agents

Antiseptics and Disinfectants

Drugs acting on skin & mucous membranes

Rational pharmacotherapy

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Pharmacology Course Curriculum

The course curriculum of Pharmacology is a combination of classroom teaching and laboratory experiments. Besides lecture and practical modes of instruction, problem-based learning is also included.

Case history, clinical presentation, earlier and current pharmacotherapy, possible effects and outcome of drugs are discussed in detail. Students are trained to understand and respond to clinical queries. Web-based learning is also encouraged now.  

Hospital exposure of students to patients for a better understanding of the interaction of drugs and adverse reactions to drugs is also an important part of the curriculum. Conference and training programmes are also an essential part of the course where students are exposed to recent developments in the industry. 

In addition, for MD and doctoral students, the presentation of a dissertation or thesis paper is mandatory. 

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Pharmacology Scope in India - Career and Job Prospects

There are always increasing and evolving opportunities in India for Pharmacology graduates. The Covid-19 pandemic has put into the spotlight the ability of the pharmaceutical industry. The shift in technological advancements has resulted in an unprecedented need for Pharmacology graduates with essential skills and experience to make a valuable impact. 

There are a dozen of applicable career paths for those who have taken up Pharmacology as a subject. The job opportunities in different fields are highlighted below:

Sector

Jobs Roles

Academia

Researchers, Scientists, Lecturers, Laboratory Technicians

Pharmaceutical Industry

Research and Development Scientists, Regulatory Affairs Associates, Medical Affairs Associates, Sales Representatives, Pharmacovigilance/Drug Safety Associates, Clinical Trial Monitors, Pharmaceutical Marketing and Information Specialists, Clinical Research Associates and Coordinators, Medical Science Liaisons

Healthcare

Clinical Scientists, Research Associates, Clinical Study Coordinators

Other

Scientific/ Medical Writers and Editors and Consultants

Some job profiles are discussed in detail below:

  • Medical Writer: After completing a Pharmacology course, one can work as a medical writer working closely with researchers and scientists about their latest findings. They can also help pharmaceutical or biotech companies create educational and sales materials. Additionally, one may usually write about how new products work, their side effects and their benefits. 
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: Here, one gets to work directly with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. They pitch the products developed by their organisations and engage new and existing clients. The job roles demand people and project management, marketing and customer service. 
  • Pharmaceutical Lab Scientists: They are in charge of the research and development process of testing new drugs, products and therapies. They can work both in the government and private sectors. 
  • Drug Safety Associates: They are responsible for monitoring, processing, reporting, and controlling the adverse event data obtained from clinical trials and other sources. They document all communication from clinical trial sites, process the data in the company’s database, ensure data accuracy and consistency, and meet the project milestones and deadlines.

Higher Studies

While many will enter the job market, some may opt for higher studies and increase and expand their knowledge base. For example, Pharmacology certificate holders can opt for a diploma or bachelor's programme in Pharmacology and so on. One can also opt for a PhD after the master's which would open doors to independent research and higher levels of management roles in Pharmacology and drug discovery.

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Salary after Pharmacology Course

The job titles mentioned above give an extraordinary advancement to career and competitive salaries. Location of employment is also an important factor in deciding the salary of Pharmacology degree holders. They can get jobs in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organisations, hospital pharmacies, clinical pharmacies, technical pharmacies, medical dispensing stores, research agencies, food and drug administrations, educational institutes and health care centres. 

Here, we have provided an approximation of the average salary after a Pharmacology course:

Job Role

Average Annual Salary (in INR)

Medical Writer

2-9 lakh

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives

3-6 lakh 

Drug Safety Associates

3-5 lakh

Research Associates

5-7 lakh

Laboratory Technicians

2-4 lakh

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Skills that Make You the Best Pharmacologist

Not only does having theoretical expertise and practical knowledge help to climb up in the Pharmacology sector but there are also other soft skills that would determine one’s progress and advancement in the field. The skills that one requires are as follows:

  • Awareness of Health and Safety Procedures: One should be well aware of the health and safety procedures to administer drugs, and understand their effects as well as side effects on the human body. It is also necessary for the administration of new medicines. 
  • Confidence: Working with drugs can impact human health and that is why practitioners need lots of confidence to work in this industry.
  • Communication Skills: The practitioners have to communicate the effect of drugs to other parties and this requires clear communication skills to effectively pass on information.
  • Other Skills: The other skills that benefit Pharmacology practitioners to progress in their field are:
    • Logical and inquisitive mind
    • Good teamwork
    • Accuracy and attention to detail
    • Analytical skills
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FAQs about Pharmacology

What is Pharmacology course?

Pharmacology course is the study of drugs and their effect on the body of living beings. It includes creating new chemical substances and analysing the effects of medical compounds as well as understanding the beneficial and harmful effects of drugs. The subjects involved in Pharmacology are toxicology, biology, chemistry and physiology.

What is the difference between Pharmacology and pharmacy?

The difference between Pharmacology and pharmacy is that a pharmacy course is directed towards equipping graduates with licenses to dismiss prescription medicines in pharmacies or to become a pharmacist. On the other hand, the Pharmacology course deals with the research aspect of the science while teaching students to investigate the effects of chemical compounds and find out ways to create remedies for mental and physical ailments.

What are the key skills required for a Pharmacology course?

The key skills required for Pharmacology courses are technical expertise and laboratory skills, general IT skills, general research skills, teamwork, self-management and professional communication skills in both written and verbal form. All these skills help one to become a skilled Pharmacology practitioner and contribute toward the goal of creating safe drugs for human consumption. 

Can I study Pharmacology after 12th?

Yes, you can study Pharmacology after 12th. You can pursue either a certificate course, diploma course or bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology provided you have at least 55% marks in higher secondary. Also, you need to have studied physics, chemistry and biology in class XII to be eligible to study the course. 

Is it hard to study Pharmacology?

The difficulty level of Pharmacology depends on the students who are studying the course. The course may be tough as it requires one to focus on certain medications, how they work, when they are used, how they are given to patients and their side effects. It requires memorising a lot of information which may be difficult for someone.

Is entry to Pharmacology merit or entrance-based?

Entry to Pharmacology courses is both merit and entrance-based. Some universities and courses like diplomas and certificates accept students based on their previous qualifications and scores while for bachelor's, master’s and doctoral courses, one needs to qualify for one of the entrance tests like MHT CET, NEET-PG, NET, and more. 

Are pharmacologists doctors?

No, pharmacologists are not doctors but medical scientists who work on developing new drugs which are used in the medical field. A pharmacologist does not require a doctor’s degree to work in the profession. However, if one gets a PhD in Pharmacology, one can become a doctorate in the subject. Besides, one can study MD Pharmacology after MBBS and become a doctor in the field.

Do pharmacologists work in hospitals?

Yes, pharmacologists work in hospitals where they bring clinical pharmacologists’ perspectives and expertise to prescribe medicines. They investigate and recommend the appropriate use of drugs in hospitals and teach the rational use of drugs at all levels including medical students, house staff and attending physicians. They also assist the pharmacy and therapeutics committee.

Does MSc Pharmacology require NEET?

No, MSc Pharmacology does not require students to qualify for NEET. Only those who aim to become MD Pharmacology will appear for NEET-PG after completion of their MBBS degrees. Those who are opting for MSc Pharmacology will appear for respective national, state or university entrance exams. 

Is a Pharmacology course a good career option?

Yes, Pharmacology is a good career option for those who want to contribute to the medical sciences. The salary package is good and is a respectable job. There is job satisfaction in administering the research and use of drugs as they are indirectly saving patients’ lives and contributing to the welfare of society. 

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Related Questions

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srishti chatterjee, Content Team

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Dear Student, yes you can apply for Maharashtra Direct Second Year Pharmacy admission but the admission process is closed now. The counselling process of Maharashtra Direct Second Year Pharmacy admission is also over. To know more you can check about the Maharashtra Direct Second Year Pharmacy Admission (DSP) 2024.

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Dear Student, 

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Dear student, the registration form of second phase counselling for AP PGECET will begin from September 17 and the last date for candidates to register for counselling is September 19. Candidates will be able to get their certificates verified from September 18 to 21, 2024. Those candidates who have got their certificates verified can exercise the AP PGECET web options from September 23 to 25. On the basis of the web options filled by the students the authorities will release the seat allotment result on September 28, 2024. All details can be checked by clicking the link about AP PGECET counselling 2024