BBAU Lucknow
- Fees: ₹ 40000
Applied Pharmacology Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope
Degrees offered: M.D., M.Pharma, M.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), B.Sc.
What is Applied Pharmacology
Pharmacology is a branch of medical and pharmaceutical science that deals with the study of drugs and the action of various medications. Applied pharmacology deals with the usage of drugs in medical practice and its application in therapeutics. Specifically, the latter is the study of the interactions that happen between the living body and the chemical substances.
In India, there is no separate course of applied pharmacology like abroad. The study of applied pharmacology is under pharmacological courses. This is one reason why people often confuse pharmacology and pharmacy. While pharmacology deals with the study of the source and mechanism of the drug action on a living body, pharmacy is the science of preparing, formulating and dispensing medicinal drugs. Pharmacology is studied as a specialisation subject under pharmacy at the post-graduation level like M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) in Pharmacology. M.Sc. in pharmacology is another postgraduate course for pursuing a career in the subject. At the undergraduate level, there is no specific specialisation in pharmacology. B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) is an undergraduate pharmacy course which includes pharmacology as a pivotal subject. One can pursue research work in pharmacology or join the healthcare sector as an applied pharmacologist. There is a huge scope for both in India as well as abroad.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Applied Pharmacology
Eligibility in D.Pharm is the completion of 10+2 or any equivalent qualification from a recognised educational institution. For B.Pharm an individual should have completed 10+2 or any equivalent qualification from a recognised educational institution with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics and English as subjects.
For a postgraduate course like M.Sc in applied pharmacology, one essentially should have 60% aggregate in any of B.Pharm, B.Sc, B.V.Sc or Bachelor of Physiotherapy courses (55% for the reserved category) or a 55% in M.B.B.S. or BDS courses (50% for the reserved category).
For M.Pharm applied pharmacology, one should have completed their graduation from a reputable institute with a 50% aggregate (45% for reserved category). They should have completed B.Pharm or B.Sc in Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Zoology/Botany/Microbiology/ Biotechnology/Biochemistry.
For M.D in applied pharmacology, one needs to have 50% in M.B.B.S or any equivalent qualification exam. For the reserved category students, the percentage is 45%.
For pursuing PhD in applied pharmacology it’s essential to have completed post-graduation in pharmacology with 55% (50% for reserved category).
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Entrance Examinations for Applied Pharmacology
The entrance examinations to applied pharmacology vary according to the course and level one wishes to pursue. Here is a list of examinations held for various courses-
DPharm- For getting admission in D.Pharm one needs to qualify in any of these exams:
B.Pharm- Few private institutes have their own entrance exam for entry into the course. However, there are all India level examinations for entry into B.Pharm like
M.Pharm in Pharmacology- For admission into M.Pharm one needs to essentially qualify exams like-
M.Sc in applied pharmacology- Admission in the course is based on merit percentage. Universities have their own examination and based on the score individuals are shortlisted for admission.
M.D in applied pharmacology- Admission in M.D pharmacology is merit-based. Students are evaluated based on the score obtained in M.B.B.S. or an equivalent degree examination for admission. The students selected have to appear for an interview conducted by the college based on which admission is given.
Doctoral in applied pharmacology- Admission in PhD is based on performance in UGC NET/ CSIR NET (JRF)/ GATE, etc followed by a personal interview.
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Applied Pharmacology in India and Abroad
Pharmacology in India is one of the rising and establishing careers. After post-graduation, one can find job opportunities in various fields. Top Recruiters like Cipla, Sun Pharmaceuticals, etc hire individuals with applied pharmacology degrees. The pay scale for the jobs is decent. The highest demand for fresh postgraduates in applied pharmacology is in the research field. This is because new drug inventions and their clinical trials require pharmacological knowledge and degree. Individuals holding PhD and M.Phil degrees in the subject are in high demand by multinational companies.
The scope of a career in applied pharmacology is much higher abroad than in India. They have more educational courses and job opportunities in specialised pharmacological fields. However one cannot practice as a pharmacologist in the U.S with a B.Pharm degree. They need to essentially hold a Pharm D degree (Doctor of Pharmacy) for clinical practising.
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Course Fees Applied Pharmacology
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| PG |
1.38 Lakhs
M.Pharma in Applied Pharmacology at Seth Vishambhar Nath Institute of Pharmacy, Barabanki
|
40.00 K
M.Pharma in Applied Pharmacology at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
|
52.35 Lakhs
M.D. in Applied Pharmacology at RKDF Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal
|
3.60 Lakhs
M.D. in Applied Pharmacology at Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi
|
Course Subjects
Pharmacology course subjects vary according to the level and degree of course pursued. A snapshot of the subjects taught at various levels are:
D.Pharm Subjects-
Pharmaceutic
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmacognosy
Biochemistry Clinical Pathology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Pharmaceutical jurisprudence
Drugstore Business Management
Hospital Clinical Pharmacy
Health Education and Community Pharmacy
Pharmacology toxicology
B. Pharm Subjects-
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
Remedial Biology/ Remedial Mathematics
Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Pathophysiology
Computer Application in Pharmacy
Environmental Sciences
Phytochemistry
Pharmacognosy
Pharmaceutical Engineering
Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Medicinal Chemistry
Herbal Drug Technology
Industrial Pharmacy
Pharmacokinetics
Quality Assurance
Subjects in M.Pharm Pharmacology
Modern Analytical Techniques
Advance Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
Chemistry of Medical Natural Product
Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics
Organic Chemistry
Pharmaceutical Formulation Design and Development
Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetic and Formulation Design
Standardization and Stabilization Method of Drugs
Standardization and Stabilization Method of Herbal Formulation
Biopharmaceuticals and Pharmacokinetics
Advance Pharmaceutical Technology
Advance Systemic Pharmacology
Special Techniques in Drug Analysis
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Design and Development of Novel Drug Delivery System
Pharmacometrics and Evaluation of Drugs
Validation and cGMP
Biotechnology and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics and Toxicology
Subjects in M.Sc. Pharmacology
Toxicology
Molecular Biology in Pharmacology
Isolation of Compounds from Herbal Sources
Autonomic Nervous System
Central Nervous System
Autocoids
Wonder Discovers in Pharmacology
Experimental Pharmacology, Bioassay, Statistics and Recent Developments)
Instrumentation in Drug Analysis
Drug Relations
Pharmacokinetics
Drug Development Process
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Subjects in M.D Pharmacology
General Pharmacology Principles and Allied Sciences
Systemic Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Therapeutics
Experimental Pharmacology Screening of Drugs and Statistics
Clinical Pharmacology and Recent Advances in Pharmacology.
The doctoral course syllabus varies according to the super specialisation one wishes to pursue in pharmacology.
Careers in Applied Pharmacology
Jobs after completion of a pharmacology course vary according to the degree one holds. Some pharmacology institutes offer a placement year for undergraduate and postgraduate students during which they may find an opportunity in the commercial, industrial, or research field. These environments can be like an R&D lab in a pharmaceutical company or even a non-lab-based position in a related field. Big organisations like the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) time and again offer paid internships to students pursuing pharmacology or applied pharmacology courses. The scholars have to continuously keep a tab on the websites of the drug development companies for any such placement opportunities. A traineeship can go a long way in helping students land up a decent job in the industry.
The overall job scape for qualified pharmacologists looks something like this:
Biomedical scientist
Academic researcher
Analytical chemist
Clinical scientist immunology/biochemistry
Medicinal chemist
Clinical research associate
Research scientist (clinical/life sciences)
Professor of pharmacology
Medical science liaison
Medical/Pharmacological sales representative
Science journalist/writer
Patent attorney
Toxicologist
Regulatory affairs officer
Like in every industry, the seniority in a post increases with experience in the relevant field. So, students aspiring to enter the job sector must start to apply for these jobs as soon as they complete a degree from a pharmacology college.
Upcoming trends
With upcoming inventions and discoveries in the field of drugs and medicines, pharmacological courses are continuously undergoing an evolution. Pharmacology along with its specialisations like applied pharmacology has become an integral part of medical science with an expanding area of research and development. Molecular techniques are involved in unravelling the treasures of pharmacology.
With new advancements in the field, computer-assisted programmes are being incorporated daily. This is adding momentum to the research in metabolomics, genomics, and proteomics. This is the age of Artificial Intelligence. With the help of AI, the procedures of matching patients with a suitable combination of drugs, targeting drug molecules to specific receptors, and optimization have become easier with almost no human intervention. The top manufacturers of drugs and the top industries in the field are successfully benefitting from AI and Industry 4.0 applications.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Applied Pharmacology: Job Profiles
The job profiles for qualified pharmacologists are discussed below in detail. There are jobs available in numerous fields and one has to choose his/her profile wisely. The various fields one can find employment in after studying a pharmacology course are-
Pharmacist- Individuals can work as pharmacists in medical or drug-producing industries or even in private clinics.
Production Executive- Individuals can work as a production executive in industries related to the field.
Scientific Officer- One can work as a scientific officer in scientific research organizations or companies working on scientific research projects.
Medical Writer- Individuals can choose medical writing as a profession under several organizations and write for the targeted audience.
Drug Safety Associate- One can work as a drug safety associate under any pharmaceutical company and assess the safety of the drugs before they are marketed.
Drug Inspector- An individual can work as a drug inspector under various state and central governments. Their work includes assessing the safety of pharmaceutical drugs distributed in the market.
Clinical Research Associate- One can work as a clinical research associate in the pharmaceutical industry. They have to monitor the trails of various medicines and pharmaceutical drugs.
Research Scientist- One can opt for researching in the field and becoming a scientist.
Pharmacotherapist- Individuals holding an MD degree in pharmacology can become pharmacotherapists. They use pharmaceutical drugs for therapeutic use.
IP (Intellectual Property) Analyst- They are responsible for patent and copyright-related issues of pharmaceutical drugs.
Quality Control Manager- They are responsible for the maintenance of the quality of products (here medicines) and efficiency standards.
Analytical Chemist- They are employed for research of components of a particular drug.
Biomedical Scientist- Individuals can work as biomedical scientist in both government and private institutions. They are responsible for the investigation of various diseases and developing medications accordingly.
Pharmacology Professor- One can become a professor of pharmacology in an educational institution.
Professor Associate- One can choose to become an associate professor in educational institutions in the department of pharmacology.
Direct Marketing Manager- One can work as a marketing manager of pharmaceuticals in various companies.
Toxicologist- They are responsible for studying the harmful effects of drugs, the dosage which causes so and safe exposure limits.
Forensic Scientist- One can work in the forensic department as a scientist in both the public and private sectors.
The top recruiters in applied pharmacology in India are:
Cipla
Abbott India
Sun Pharmaceuticals
Biocon
GlaxoSmithKline India
Lupin
Novozymes
Dr Reddy's Laboratories
Aurobindo
Zyduscadila
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
Wockhardt
Nestle
Hospitals
Medical Clinics
Government Drug Research Institutes
With lots of future prospects, applied pharmacology is a flourishing industry. If one has the right determination, endurance and passion for the subject he/she can opt for any of the courses in pharmacology or applied pharmacology and scale the heights of success in the years ahead.
Average Salary
The expected average salary for an M.Sc. in pharmacy is Rs. 3-Rs. 5 lakhs per annum. The salary range for individuals holding the degree of M.Pharm in pharmacology or applied pharmacology is between Rs. 2-Rs. 8 lakhs per annum. For individuals with a degree of M.D in applied pharmacology, the pay scale ranges from Rs.4 lakhs to Rs.15 lakhs per annum. People holding doctoral degrees are paid a salary in the range of Rs.5-Rs. 20 lakhs per annum.
The diploma and undergraduate degrees are not specifically available for pharmacology. However, someone with a degree of D.Pharm in pharmacy is paid between Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month. A person with a B.Pharm degree earns about Rs. 3.5-Rs. 6 lakhs per annum.
Required Skillset for Applied Pharmacology
Accuracy- There is no room for mistakes in the pharmaceutical industry. Individuals must pay attention to every detail.
Communication Skills- Individuals in the industry should be able to communicate clearly.
Multitasking- Individuals should be multitasking with complete accuracy.
Management Skills- Management issues play an important role in any industry.
Integrity- Pharmacologists should maintain integrity and standard of work.
Diplomacy- Working in the pharmaceutical industry required diplomacy, good judgment and the ability to stay calm.
Data analysis- Individuals holding a degree in applied pharmacology have to deal with a great deal of data and past trends as they have to apply the knowledge of pharmacology in solving economic, environmental, engineering and water systems-related problems. So, they are required to have good numerical and problem-solving skills.
Course Curriculum for Applied Pharmacology
Course curriculum varies according to the level and degree being pursued. The course curriculum for MD applied pharmacology is as follows:
Section 1
General pharmacological principles and applied sciences
Molecular biology in pharmacology- Pharmacogenomics, Proteomics, Gene expression, PCR, western blot northern blot and Southern blot, protein purification, techniques involved in receptor dynamic studies, mono and polyclonal antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, molecular targets of drug action, molecular biology in receptor identification.
Toxicology- Applied analytical toxicology, toxicovigilance, principles of clinical toxicology, basic principles of diagnosis and treatment of human poisoning, clinical features of common poisoning, and antidotes in the management of poisoning.
Isolation of compounds from herbal sources- Basic constituents of plants and their chemical classification, isolation of active compounds from plant materials, maceration and percolation, utilization of HPTLC for constituent analysis, qualitative constituent characterisation techniques, estimating marker compound in the biological fluid after crude plant material introduction.
Discoveries in pharmacology
Communication Skills
Practicals
Section 2
Central nervous system
Autacoids
Autonomic nervous system
Drugs affecting kidney function and cardiovascular system
Drugs affecting uterine motility
Drugs affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system
Drugs acting on blood and blood-forming organs
Chemotherapy of microbial diseases
Chemotherapy of parasitic infections
Antineoplastic agents
Hormones
Immunomodulators
Section 3
Experimental pharmacology, bioassay and statistics - Methods involved in checking teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and organ toxicities in animals, experimental methodologies in the discovery of drugs in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo, methods of anaesthesia and euthanasia, animal handling and care, drug screening methods used in screening antifungal, antihelminthics, antiviral, antibacterial agents, drugs for heart failure, posterior pituitary, adrenal steroids, parathyroid, thyroid, ovarian and testicular hormones, restraining and blood collecting methods, drug screening methods involved in the evaluation of cough suppressants, antiasthmatic drugs, antihyperlipidemic, antiglaucoma, antipyretic, antithyroid, analgesics, antiepileptic, antidiarrhoeal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anticataract, anti-platelet, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, antidepressants, antianginal, antihypertensive drugs.
Biostatistics- Null hypothesis, parametric and non-parametric tests, basic statistical parameters, meta-analysis.
Instrumentation in drug analysis- Calculation in drug analysis, high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, partition, adsorption, and ion-exchange chromatography, column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, paper chromatography, column chromatography and high-performance thin-layer chromatography, radioimmunoassay, processing biological materials for drug analysis, atomic absorption spectrometer, fluorescent spectroscopy, NMR and mass spectroscopy, qualitative testing, titrimetric testing, Beer and Lambert's law, working principles of the calorimeter.
Practicals
Section 4
Clinical psychology and recent advances
Drug regulations
Pharmacokinetics
Drug development processes
Clinical trials
Therapeutic drug monitoring
Practicals
Popular Applied Pharmacology Entrance Exams in India
Popular Applied Pharmacology Colleges in India VIEW ALL
AIIMS Bhubaneswar
- Exams: NEET SS
LNCT University, Bhopal
- Exams: NEET PG
Glocal University, Saharanpur
- Fees: ₹ 145000
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What are the jobs available for a fresher in applied pharmacology?
Answer :
The top jobs available for a fresh pharmacology postgraduate are that of a clinical research associate, clinical pharmacology PK/PD modeller, quantitative pharmacologist, data scientist pharmacometrics, staff biostatistician, inhalation toxicology research intern, research analyst, online instructor or faculty in a pharmacology programme, etc.
Question: What is the difference between pharmacology and pharmacy?
Answer :
Pharmacology is a branch of medicine concerned with study drugs which can be man-made or natural whereas pharmacy is a branch of science which involves dispensing of drugs and their preparation which is studied by a pharmacologist.
Question: What is the role of a pharmacologist?
Answer :
Pharmacologists are responsible for investigating and analysing chemical and drug interactions with the body and their quality assessment.
Question: What is pharmacology?
Answer :
Pharmacology is a branch of science that deals with the study of drugs and their action on the biological system.
Question: What are the divisions in applied pharmacological studies?
Answer :
Pharmacological studies are divided into pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Pharmacokinetics deals with the effects that the biological systems produce on a particular drug while pharmacodynamics deals with the effect of a particular drug on the biological system.
