MD in Clinical Pharmacology is a 3- year full- time program involving the study of the interactions between therapeutic agents and humans. This program is an important backbone of the most important interventions and therapeutic agents that health practitioners use to treat a variety of illnesses. Clinical Pharmacology involves the principles of individualization of drug therapy and covers related topics such as pharmacogenetics, drug use in liver and renal diseases, drug in special populations, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and therapeutic drug monitoring.
The main objective of the discipline is to promote safety of prescriptions, maximise drugs’ intended effects and minimise their side effects. It is important that there be association with pharmacists skilled in areas of drug information, medication safety and other aspects of pharmacy related to clinical pharmacology. These professionals handle adverse drug reactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, and provide drug information services.
MD in Clinical Pharmacology: Course Highlights
Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.
| Course Level | Post graduate |
| Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in M.B.B.S or any degree in science. |
| Admission Process | Entrance test or direct admission in some cases |
| Course Fee | INR 30,000 to 32,00,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 1,40,000 to 17,00,000 |
Top Institutes Offering MD in Clinical Pharmacology
Compiled here is a list of the top institutes in India offering the course along with their respective locations and fees charged by each.
| Name of Institute | City | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Madras medical college | Chennai | INR 44, 600 P.A. |
| Post graduate institute of medical education and research | Chandigarh | INR 39, 500 P.A. |
| Armed forces medical college | Pune | INR 19, 500 P.A. |
| Maulana Azad medical college | New Delhi | INR 53, 644 P.A. |
| Lady Harding medical college | Delhi | INR 40, 200 P.A. |
| Christian Medical college | Vellore | INR 1,16, 650 P.A. |
| Kasturba Medical college | Mangalore | INR 32,000 P.A. |
| University college of medical science | Delhi | INR18, 825 P.A. |
Eligibility for MD in Clinical Pharmacology
Candidates wishing to pursue the course need to have attained the 10+2 qualification with Biology, Chemistry and Physics as main subjects. Additionally, such candidates need to appear for and qualify the relevant competitive entrance exam and pursue an MCI- recognized MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) which is a 5 and a half year- long course and includes a 1-year long compulsory rotating internship. The internship needs to be completed by such candidates by 31st March of the admission year.
MD in Clinical Pharmacology: Admission Process
Most of the reputed medical institutes of the country admit students on the basis of their NEET PG entrance exam scores. However, there are a few institutes which conduct their own entrance exams for the PG admissions. One can apply via any of online and offline modes.
Generally, the entrance exam is conducted all over the country in both offline and online modes, around the year, from December to June. Candidates need to be up- to- date with the guidelines for application and last dates of form submission.
MD in Clinical Pharmacology: Syllabus and Course Description
MD in Clinical Pharmacology is a postgraduate course in Pharmacy. Pharmacology is the branch of medicine that involves the study of drug action where a drug can be broadly defined as any man-made, natural, or endogenous (within the cell) molecule which exerts a biochemical and/ or physiological effect on the target cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The course is career- oriented in nature and lasts for 3 years.
Main subjects covered in the discipline are:
- Clinical and Basic Sciences as applied to Pharmacology
- Central Nervous System
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Cardiovascular System
- Hematopoietic System
- Kidney/Renal System
- Endocrinology Respiratory System
- Gastrointestinal System
- Microbial resistance
- Regulation of cell growth and differentiation
- General Pharmacology
- Important landmarks in the growth and development of Pharmacology, important contributions of renowned Indian and foreign Pharmacologists
- Principles and modes of drug administration, source, nature and preparations of drugs
- Qualitative and Quantitative Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Drugs interactions, Adverse drug reactions
- Methods of new drug development
- Factors modifying drug response
- Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics
- Structure-activity relationship of important group of drugs
- Preclinical evaluation of new drugs and toxicity studies
- System
- Systemic Pharmacology
- Autonomic nervous system
- Central nervous system
- Cardiovascular system
- Hematopoietic system
- Respiratory system
- Screening for Pharmacological activity with special reference to the following activities:
- Analgesic-Antipyretic
- Anticonvulsant
- Sedative-hypnotics
- Anti-psychotic
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-parkinsonian
- Anti-diabetic Autonomic
- Anti-anginal
- Anti-arrhythmic Hypotensive Diuretic Hypoglycaemic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-secretory
MD in Clinical Pharmacology: Career Prospects
Students enrolled to the course are taught general pharmacological principles, systematic pharmacology and rational use of drugs. They are adequately trained in handling adverse drug reactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, and providing drug information services.
Successful postgraduates interested in further studies in the discipline may go for advanced research in the subject and teaching jobs.
Numerous pharmaceuticals companies, hospitals and nursing homes in the country and abroad hire successful postgraduates of the course. They may even open their own drug stores or pharmacy/ medical shops upon completion of the course or of a diploma program in pharmacy, and after registering with a pharmacy council.
Majority of the job opportunities for skilled professionals of this field are available in Research Institutes, Government Departments, Universities, Pharmaceutical Industries and Teaching Hospitals. Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Pharmacy postgraduates are usually engaged in research- related fields for developing new drugs and analysing them for strength and purity.
Listed here are some of the popular job positions offered to successful postgraduates of the discipline with the corresponding job descriptions and salaries offered.
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| Job Position | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacology Tutor | Responsible for preparing and delivering lectures to graduate students on topics such as pharmacology, mental health nursing, and community healthcare practices. | INR 1,40,000 to 2,00,000P.A. |
| Medical Advisor | Responsible for providing a bridge between clinical research and marketing, sales and other departments within the organization. They provide authoritative opinions and answer medical and scientific questions. | INR 10,48,459 to 11,00,000 P.A. |
| Senior Manager | Responsible for planning and directing the work of group or individuals, monitoring their work, taking corrective actions when necessary. | INR 18,25,458 to 18,90,000P.A. |
| Professor Associate | Responsible for developing, enabling and delivering research and practicing informed teaching activities. In particular, the post holder manages and expands income- generating programmes. | INR 10,41,521 to 11,00,000 P.A. |
| Assistant Manager | Responsible for recruiting and interviewing quality people to staff your location, as well as making sure that those employees transition as smoothly as possible into their jobs. | INR 7,31,585 to 7,85,000 P.A. |
| 40 | Responsible for promoting products, services and brands to an audience of both existing and potential customers. They help increase sales by raising the profiles of client business, through targeted promotional marketing campaigns and strategies. | INR 8,40,000 to 8,96,000 P.A. |
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