M.Sc Medical Pharmacology is a 2-year long postgraduate program in India that deals with study of the interaction of drugs with body cells and production of therapeutic response. Basically, the programme aims at providing core knowledge of the principles and practice of pharmacology.
Most of the colleges and universities in India admit students for such courses based on the scores obtained in the common entrance test while few others provide admission based on merit.
Know More About Medical Courses
Willing candidates desirous of getting admission into such courses should have secured a minimum of 60% (relaxable for reserved category candidates) marks in graduation from a recognized state/ central/ deemed university.
Since M.Sc Medical Pharmacology provides an in-depth and analytical model on the study of rehabilitation under the influence of drugs/ medicine, the course curriculum mainly covers tissue and organism pharmacology, cell and receptor pharmacology, and pharmacology of the nervous system.
See More: MSc Medical Pharmacology Top Colleges
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh provides admission based on scores obtained in the common entrance examination conducted by central university and students can complete this course in around INR 11,000 only.
Major M.Sc Medical Pharmacology subjects are Toxicology, Instrumentation in Drug Analysis, Drug Development Process, etc. These subjects cover all the major M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course details.
After completing the course, students get M.Sc Medical Pharmacology jobs like Pharmacologist, Clinical Research Associate, Research Scientist, and alike in sectors such as Hospitals, Research Colleges/ Universities, Defense Services, etc.
See Also: MBA after MBBS
The average starting salary can be around INR 3-6 LPA as Pharmacologist, Chief Scientist, Clinical Research Associate in top hospitals like Max Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, Columbia Asia, etc.
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Course Highlights
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Minimum 60% marks in graduation |
| Admission Process | Entrance Test/ Merit |
| Average Course Fees | INR 18,000 to INR 2,00,000 |
| Examination Type | Semester-Wise |
| Subjects | General principles of pharmacology and allied sciences, Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutic Monitoring etc |
| Average starting Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 |
| Recruiting Companies | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Cipla Limited, Lupin Pharmaceutical, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Health Care, etc |
| Jobs profile | Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Professor/ Consultant |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Eligibility Criteria
The basic M.Sc Medical Pharmacology eligibility criteria is an aggregate of 60% (55% for SC/ST) or above in graduation, science stream from a recognized university. Preference is given to candidates having graduation in medicine or a Bachelor in Physiotherapy.
Usually, budding doctors aspire for such courses. The minimum age that is considered to join the M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course is 21 years. There is no upper age limit for M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Admission.
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Admission Process
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology admissions are either based on entrance tests or based on the merit lists released by the colleges and universities. Medical Entrance exams for which you might have to sit are NIPER JEE, GPAT, and others.
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M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Entrance Exam Based Admission
Students are required to appear either in pen-paper based or online tests for national level or state level entrance exams conducted by national or state level testing agencies, and after qualifying for the exam, they are called for the counselling process or Personal Interview Round.
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M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Merit-Based Admission
Some of the private colleges and universities offer M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology and candidates can apply for admission in this course, through both online and offline mode. These colleges offer admission based on merit.
Follow the below-mentioned steps that you need to follow while applying for the M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology course:
- Visit either the official website of the Institute or the Admission office of the Institute for the M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology admission application forms.
- Either fill the application form manually or fill the application form online as per instruction provided
- Application form should be submitted along with necessary educational documents either in soft format or in hard copy as per the mode of application
- After the processing of applications, the final selection is done after rounds of GD and PI (if any).
- Final merit list is displayed on the institute’s notice board or official website.
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Entrance Exams
Many colleges select prospective students based on performance in the Top Pharmacy Entrance Exams. Some of these entrance exams are university level and some are state-level examinations.
| Entrance Exams | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| CUET PG | Check Here |
| BITSAT | Check Here |
| NEST | Check Here |
| IIT JAM | Check Here |
| DUET | Check Here |
| TISS NET | Check Here |
GPAT Entrance Exam Pattern
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Mode |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Total number of questions | 125 |
| Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Marking scheme | 4 marks are awarded for every correct response and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong response |
| Maximum marks | 500 |
| Frequency | Once a year |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Entrance Exam Preparation Tips
M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology entrance examinations basically cover sections on the following:
- Subject Knowledge
Go through your entrance exam syllabus thoroughly and follow the time table to complete the full syllabus on time. Apart from that, this exam is suitable for candidates who have chemistry, biotechnology as major subjects during graduation.
- Build conception on every topic as the entrance is all based on concepts.
- Practice previous year’s entrance exam question papers to keep a check on the exam pattern.
- Identify your weak points and focus on improving them by practice and following a routine.
- Make revision notes and revise accordingly.
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology College Admission Tips (H3)
- Since most elite institutes provide admission based on scores in All India Entrance exams hence prepare well for such entrance examinations dedicatedly.
- Some colleges also offer admission based on merit, hence it is advised to keep good scores in 10th, 12th especially in graduation.
- Prepare well for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview Round to grab your seat with the best institute.
- Opt for colleges with good infrastructure and experienced qualified faculty strength.
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Syllabus
| Year I | Year II |
|---|---|
| General principles of pharmacology and allied sciences | Biostatistics |
| Toxicology | Pharmacokinetics |
| Molecular biology | Drug regulation |
| Isolation of Compounds from Herbal Sources | Therapeutic Monitoring |
| Systemic pharmacology | Practical work |
| Experimental pharmacology | Seminar |
| Elective subject | Research report and Viva-Voce |
| Practical lab | - |
Recommended Books: M.Sc Medical Pharmacology
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics | R.S.Satoskar. S.B.Bhandarkar S.S.Anipure H.R.Satoskar |
| Goodman & Gillman’s The pharmacological basis Of therapeutics | Joel G.Harman Lee E. Limbird Raymond W. Ruddon Perry B. Molinoff |
| Remington’s Pharmaceutical sciences | Alfanso R. Gennaro |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology: Top Colleges in India
| Name of the College | Average Fees (Per annum basis) |
|---|---|
| AIIMS, Delhi | INR 1000 |
| Jhalawar Hospital and Medical College, Rajasthan | INR 7,052 |
| GMCH, Chandigarh | INR 22,600 |
| Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh | INR 30,760 |
| JSS Medical College, Karnataka | INR 25,310 |
| Mamata Medical College, Telangana | INR 25,740 |
| Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka | INR 10,9,550 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune | INR 75,689 |
| MNR Medical College | INR 32,933 |
| Index Medical College, Madhya Pradesh | INR 47,355 |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology College Comparison
| Parameter | AIIMS | Jhalawar Hospital and Medical College | GMCH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Best institute in the country providing quality education at cheap rate. Admission is based on performance in NEET-PG | One of the top medical colleges in the country established in the year 2007 and offers admission based on NEET-PG score | A PCI recognized medical institute under Geetanjali University |
| Location | New Delhi | Jhalawar, Rajasthan | Udaipur, Rajasthan |
| Average Fee | INR 1000 per annum | INR 7,052 per annum | INR 22,600 per annum |
| Eligibility Criteria | 60% in MBBS/ BDS, BVSc, BPharma | 60% in MBBS/ BDS, BVSc, BPharma | 50% in MBBS/ BDS, BVSc, BPharma |
| Scholarship | State and Central Govt Scholarships | Scholarship to SC/ ST candidates | No scholarship available |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Course Details
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology is Master’s of Science, Pharmacology. The course which is a sub-branch of medicine and biology offers the study of drug action on the human body. The course includes the formulate hypotheses in a specific area of pharmacological research and conducting tests through the process of active research.
- The course is for those budding doctors who do not have the right skill to write the correct prescription and its medico-legal importance
- M.Sc Medical Pharmacology provides and demonstrates in-depth knowledge in various areas of pharmacology, which helps in identifying possible ways of rehabilitation under the influence of medicine/ drugs
- Some of the common M.Sc Medical Pharmacology subjects include Molecular biology, Experimental pharmacology, Therapeutic Monitoring, etc.
Why study M.Sc Medical Pharmacology?
There are plenty of reasons to study M.Sc Medical Pharmacology. There is an utmost need for skilled professionals to serve and solve the various problems in the world of the pharmaceutical industry in India. Most of the students prefer to study this course because of the following advantages:
- It opens a pool of job opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
- There is an opportunity for students to go for higher studies like PhD, to add an extra edge and update their skills & research experience, which leads to career development.
- After completion of this course, many students join the R & D division of major pharmaceutical companies and thus get exposure to work in research of known drugs and be members of the invention of new drugs and their side effects.
- A candidate with a M.Sc Medical Pharmacology degree is in huge demand since the healthcare industry requires a technically and academically sound workforce and a good handful of experts are available for research and development.
- In terms of salary, M.Sc Medical Pharmacology graduates can earn from INR 3-4 LPA in the starting and after getting industry experience, the salary hike can be around 30-40% and you can earn around INR 5-8 LPA after 2-4 years of experience
MSc Medical Pharmacology: Course Comparison
MSc Medical Pharmacology vs MSc Clinical Research
We have curated the table to draw a comparison between M.Sc Medical Pharmacology and MSc Clinical Research for aspirants to have a better understanding of both.
| Parameters | M.Sc Medical Pharmacology | MSc Clinical Research |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Primarily deals with the study of the action of different medicines/ drugs on the human body | Primarily deals with research on the various drugs and medicines and their safety and productiveness over the human body |
| Degree Level | Post Graduation | Post Graduation |
| Duration of Course | 2 years | 2 years |
| Admission Criteria | Merit-based/Entrance-based | Merit-based/Entrance-based |
| Course Fee | INR 18,000 to INR 2,00,000 | INR 5,000 to 500,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 to 12,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Research Scientist, Professors/ Consultants | Clinical research Analyst, Clinical Research Project Manager, Clinical Research Project Coordinator |
M.Sc Medical Pharmacology Job Profiles and Future Scope
M.Sc. Medical Pharmacology degree holders have plenty of options to choose from in terms of their career starting from joining any Hospital to working with Pharmaceutical Company or as working as Professor in some college. Such graduates can choose from a basket of options like Supply manager, Pharma Researcher, Pharmacologist, Drug regulatory officer, Retail seller etc.
To provide you with a holistic view of the career prospects of the course we have tabled certain areas and the respective roles attached to the same where postgraduates in Pharmacology can look for in terms of their career.
| Area/Domain | Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Drug regulatory officer | Overseeing of drug manufacturers and dealers to maintain compliance with legal standards and procedures. | INR 4.55-5.63 Lacs |
| Pharma Researcher | Conducting research and development in manufacturing affordable and effective medicines. | INR 2.40-2.95 Lacs |
| Supply Manager | Managing the smooth flow of pharmaceutical supply chain from manufacturer to the consumers | INR 2.34-2.80 Lacs |
| Pharmacologist | Testing and analysis of drugs in determining their effectiveness in treating various diseases | INR 2.65-3.35 Lacs |
| Retail seller | Basically, a salesperson involved in the selling of drugs to the direct consumer through a shop or online platform | INR 2.22-3 Lacs |
MSc Medical Pharmacology: Future Scope
Candidates pursuing M.Sc. Medical Pharmacology can opt for PhD for further research in the field of pharmacy. Various institutes and universities offer JRF, SRF positions on various projects which require candidates from a pharmacy background.
Since the pharmaceutical industry is a booming as well as a profitable industry and requires constant research and development of new medicines for recovery of mankind from various diseases, thus the development of new and improved medicine is always in high demand in this field.
Thus graduates from this field can join the R & D wing of pharmaceutical major and dedicate themselves to new inventions and improvement.
M.Sc. Medical Pharmacology: FAQs
Ques. I have completed my graduation in microbiology; can I join the M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course?
Ans. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into such course is graduation with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks. In fact, graduates from Microbiology discipline get the added advantage since the course curriculum for such a course has microbiology as one of its subject of study.
Ques. Does an M.Sc Medical Pharmacology provide only theoretical knowledge on the subjects taught during the course tenure?
Ans. Absolutely not. The course structure is designed in such a way that students are exposed to practical work, attending seminars and workshops along with the usual course of study. Equal weightage of marks is given to practical labs during the award of degree in the final semester examination.
Ques. Does the common entrance examination conducted for admission to such a course involve descriptive type questions?
Ans. Most of the national, as well as state-level entrance examination, has multiple choice type questions where students are provided four options out of which only one would be the right answer. These entrance exams also have negative marking criteria for every wrong answer.
Ques. Who are the best candidates for applying for M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course?
Ans. Though there is no restriction for candidates satisfying the minimum eligibility criteria opting for M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course but this course is best suited for candidates with B.Sc. Biotechnology/B.Sc. life sciences/B.Sc. Biology.
Ques. Do institutes offer a scholarship in M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course?
Ans. Government institutes offer a scholarship for reserved category candidates while easy education loan facility at relatively low-interest rates is available for candidates who are not able to pay their fees at one go.
Ques. Name a few of the private institutes offering M.Sc Medical Pharmacology course?
Ans. Teerthankar Mahaveer University (TMU)
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Sharda University
NIMS University
Ques. How is M.Sc. Pharmacology Course Beneficial?
Ans. Students can opt for higher studies like MPhil and PhD, some become clinical biochemist to interpret data relating to patients’ samples to assist with the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases while others become a medical sales representative.
Ques. How are exams conducted in M.Sc. Pharmacology?
Ans. Since an M.Sc in Pharmacology is of two years duration, the course structure is divided into 4 semesters with each of six months duration and both written and practical examinations conducted at the end of each semester with equal weightage given to both types of examination.
Ques. Please share information on application fee for various entrance examinations for admission into M.Sc. Pharmacology?
Ans.
| Exam Name | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Joint Entrance Exam | INR 3000 (INR 1500 for SC/ST candidates) |
| West Bengal Joint Entrance for Lateral Entry | INR 500 |
| Karnataka Common Entrance Test | INR 500 (INR 250 for Female/SC/ST candidates) |
| RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test | INR 1500 (INR 750 for SC/ST candidates) |
Ques. What is the job profile of a Drug Regulatory Officer?
Ans. Students bagging a job as Drug Regulatory Officer are required to regulatory oversee drug manufacturers and dealers maintain compliance with legal standards and procedures. cxA fresher in M.Sc Pharmacology usually earns Rs 4-6 lakhs/annum as a Drug Regulatory Officer.
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