A bachelor's degree programme in pharmacy, sometimes known as a 'B. Pharm' equips students with the information and abilities needed to work in the pharmaceutical sector. Students who complete this four-year programme will have a comprehensive understanding of medications and drugs from their inception through manufacture and distribution.
Students studying abroad will study B.Pharma courses like pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacognosy in their curriculum to get a deep insight into the world of pharmaceuticals. Isn't that interesting?
Let's learn more about it on this blog.
Why choose B. Pharma Course?
If you are wondering whether B.Pharma is the right course for you in 2023, read the points below to make an informed decision.
- Employment opportunities: B.Pharm graduates have a wide range of employment options in the pharmaceutical sector, hospitals, research facilities, governmental organisations, or academia. They may work in fields like marketing, sales, clinical trials, drug regulatory affairs, and research and development.
- Competitive salary: Be it Nepal or anywhere else in the world, B. Pharma graduates earn a competitive salary.
- Possibilities for higher education: Students who successfully complete the B.Pharma programme may wish to continue their education by pursuing higher degrees such as an M.Pharma, MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. These more advanced courses can give students more particular knowledge and abilities as well as expand their job options.
Fact: As per paylab B. Pharma graduates can make up to NPR 60,000 in monthly salaries.
B. Pharma Course Highlights:
Pharmaceutical studies cover a range of pharmacy-related topics in their curriculum, including pharmaceutics, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical analysis. It combines theoretical and practical disciplines. Here is a quick rundown of what you will learn in B. Pharma:
| Year |
Subject |
| 1st year |
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmaceutics I (Physical Pharmacy)
- Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
- Remedial Mathematics/Biology
- Communication Skills
|
| 2nd year |
- Pharmacology I (General and Autonomic Pharmacology)
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry I
- Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Computer Applications in Pharmacy
|
| 3rd year |
- Pharmacology II (Systemic Pharmacology)
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry II
- Pharmacognosy and Herbal Drug Technology
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
- Medicinal Chemistry
|
| 4th year |
- Pharmacology III (Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
- Pharmaceutical Formulation and Development
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Quality Assurance
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmaceutical Marketing Management
|
B. Pharma - Types and Specialisation:
There are plenty of specialisations available within the Bachelor of Pharmacy curriculum for students who want to be chemists. These comprise a few of the following possibilities:
- Industrial Pharmacy: This area of study focuses on the production, inspection, and testing of pharmaceutical goods in massive industries.
- Pharmacology: The study of medications and their physiological effects is the focus of the pharmacology speciality. The study of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions are all included in this area of expertise.
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry: The study of the chemical composition and characteristics of pharmaceuticals is the subject of the pharmaceutical chemistry specialty.
- Pharmaceutic: The formulation, development, and testing of pharmaceutical goods, including dosage forms, drug delivery methods, and drug stability, are the focus of the pharmaceutical specialty, or pharmaceutics.
- Clinical Pharmacy: This area of pharmacy study focuses on giving patients pharmaceutical care in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The study of drug therapy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacoeconomics are all included in this area of expertise.
What is the difference between B. Pharma and D. Pharma?
| Feature |
B.Pharma |
D.Pharma |
| Course duration |
Four years |
Two years |
| Curriculum |
Comprehensive, covers a wide range of subjects |
Focused, covers basics of pharmacy |
| Eligibility |
Completion of higher secondary education with science stream |
Completion of 10+2 education in any stream |
| Job opportunities |
Pharmacists, research and development, regulatory bodies
|
Assistant pharmacists in community pharmacies/stores
|
Eligibility Criteria to Study B. Pharma: Nepal and other Study destinations
No matter the country or university, there are certain criteria that must be met in order to gain entry into Bachelor of Pharmacy courses. In Nepal and numerous overseas nations, these general requirements for admission to B.Pharma programmes must be satisfied:
Nepal:
- Candidates must have successfully completed the physics, chemistry, and biology requirements of the 10+2 or an equivalent examination.
- In the 10+2 test, a minimum aggregate score of 50% to 60% is typically expected.
- Additionally, candidates must have been successful in the entrance exam given by the relevant university or college.
Other study destinations:
- Candidates must be science-trained, including physics, chemistry, and biology, and have finished high school or an equivalent programme.
- The needed minimum aggregate score varies by country, however it often falls between 50% and 70%.
- Candidates might also be asked to submit documentation of their English language skills, such as IELTS or TOEFL results.
- Candidates may also need to pass an admission exam or go through an interview procedure depending on the country.
Exploring the Vast Spectrum of Pharmacy Specializations:
Depending on the institution's policies, students choose a B.Pharma specialisation in either their third or fourth year of the B.Pharma degree. And, here are your options for specialisations in B. Pharma courses, let's have a look:
- Pharmaceutics: This specialisation deals with the formulation and development of pharmaceutical products.
- Pharmacology: This specialisation focuses on the study of drugs and their effects on the body.
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry: This specialisation deals with the study of chemicals used in drugs and their properties.
- Pharmacognosy: This specialisation deals with the study of natural products and their application in medicine.
- Pharmaceutical Analysis: This specialisation deals with the analysis of pharmaceutical products and their quality control.
- Quality Assurance: This specialisation focuses on ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical products.
- Regulatory Affairs: This specialisation deals with the regulation of pharmaceutical products and their approval by regulatory authorities.
- Hospital Pharmacy: This specialisation focuses on the management of pharmacy services in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
- Clinical Pharmacy: This specialisation deals with the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients in a clinical setting.
Top 5 Universities to Study B. Pharma Courses:
For those seeking a bachelor's degree in pharmacy abroad, the world is your oyster. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Japan all boast excellent B.Pharma courses. However, it is quite difficult to select the right university that matches your admission criteria perfectly. To make the process a bit simpler, here is a list of the top 5 colleges to study B. Pharma courses in top study destinations around the world:
- Bond University - Gold Coast, Australia
- Deakin University - Melbourne, Australia
- University of Exeter - United Kingdom
- Thompsons Rivers University - Canada
- Monash University - Melbourne, Australia
Career options and Job Prospects after B. Pharma:
Having graduated from an international university with a B.Pharma, there are various career paths and job opportunities that one can explore in the pharmaceutical industry. Listed below are a few of these potential new pathways:
- Pharmaceutical research: You can work in the research and development (R&D) departments of pharmaceutical companies, conducting experiments, analysing data, and developing new drugs or improving existing ones.
- Regulatory affairs: As a regulatory affairs professional, you ensure compliance with government regulations and policies related to drug development, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Clinical research: Joining clinical research organisations or research institutes allows you to participate in clinical trials, monitoring the safety and effectiveness of drugs.
- Quality control/Quality assurance: In this role, you ensure that pharmaceutical products meet quality standards by implementing quality control processes, conducting inspections, and managing quality assurance protocols.
- Production and manufacturing: You can work in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, overseeing production processes, ensuring adherence to regulations, and maintaining quality control.
- Sales and marketing: Pharmaceutical companies require professionals to promote and market their products to healthcare providers, which involves product presentations, relationship building, and market analysis.
- Pharmacist: With additional licensing and certification, you can work as a pharmacist in retail pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics, providing medication counselling, dispensing prescriptions, and monitoring patient health.
- Academia/Teaching: Pursuing further studies, such as a master's or a Ph.D., can open doors to academic positions as professors or researchers in universities or research institutions.
Note: These are just a few examples, and the pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of opportunities. The specific career options and prospects may vary based on your interests, specialisation, additional qualifications, and the country you choose to work in.
Top Pharmaceutical Companies around the World:
| Country |
City |
Companies |
| United States |
New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago |
Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Novartis |
| United Kingdom |
London, Cambridge, and Oxford |
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), AstraZeneca, and Pfizer |
| Canada |
Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver |
Apotex, Teva Canada, and Sanofi |
| Australia |
Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane |
CSL, Novartis, and Pfizer |
| Germany |
Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich |
Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Merck |
| Switzerland |
Basel and Zurich |
Novartis, Roche, and Lonza |
| India |
Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore |
Sun Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and Cipla |
Other Popular Pharma Courses to Study as a Nepalese Student:
If you're interested in the pharmaceutical field but want to explore courses related to pharmacy other than B. Pharma, then programmes like
- Pharmaceutical Sciences,
- Pharmacology,
- Pharmaceutical chemistry,
- Clinical pharmacy,
- Pharmaceutical biotechnology,
- Management, and
- Marketing
can be some of the most resourceful programmes that can help shape a brighter future for undergraduates.
