Master of Pharmacy or M.Pharm is a two-year postgraduate pharmacy course. This is a highly pursued professional course whose minimum eligibility is that the interested students must have completed a B Pharmacy course from a college recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
Under this program, the students get in-depth knowledge on how to prepare medicines, help in treating patients, and advise patients on the usage of medicines, the side effects, dosage, etc. The duration of the M.Pharma course offered by some of the courses can be more than two years. The course is highly career-oriented and opens up excellent opportunities for those who want to pursue research jobs in the pharmacy domain.
Eligibility Criteria for M.Pharma
1. The candidates are required to possess a B.Pharm degree with an aggregate of 45 percent to 60 percent marks or equivalent to it. The required minimum percentage of marks in B.Pharma to enroll in the master of pharmacy differs from college to college.
2. For some colleges, the minimum required percentage is 45 percent. While for some colleges, the minimum requirement is the completion of a bachelor's of pharmacy with an aggregate of 60 percent marks or equivalent.
3. Admissions to this course are mostly done on the basis of MPharm Entrance Exams such as GPAT, NIPER, OJEE, etc. However, some colleges also accept students on the basis of marks scored at their graduation level.
1. Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test [GPAT]
2. All India PG Super Speciality Common Entrance Exam [AIPGSSCEE]
3. Birla Institute of Technical Science Higher Degree Exam [BITS HD]
4. All India PG Super Specialty Common Entrance Test [AIPSSCET]
5. West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam [WBJEE]
Admission Process
1. Colleges publish admission notices on their website from June when most Indian universities would have finished degree exams.
2. Candidate to apply for each college, as each college considers each mark the cut-off mark.
3. Some private colleges and deemed universities perform their counselling process by conducting their university-level entrance exams.
4. Some colleges require a minimum of 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination.
5. Candidates who qualify for the test are called for an interview before the final seat allotment.
6. Paramedical Admission is done on the basis of both Entrance Exams as well as the basis of Merit. Various Entrance Exams such as UPSEE, GPAT, NEET etc are conducted to enrol students for Paramedical courses.
CAREER & Jobs OPPORTUNITIES
Pharmacy holds a high degree of importance in India in terms of economy. India is one of the highest producers and manufacturers of some of the most important novel & synthetic drugs in the world. Job profiles are based on the branch you have opted and completed your MPharm. Nowadays, you can expect to be working as a pharmacovigilance analyst, Pharmacologist, Research Associate Drug Regulator. Besides this, you can work as a pharmacist, druggist or chemist as well.
The M.Pharmacy course deals with analysing, testing, data interpretation, and research of drugs for the treatment of diseases. In M.Pharmacy, there are different specialisations available, such as Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Quality Assurance, Pharmacognosy, and many more.
The M.Pharm degree is highly regarded in the field of pharmacy, and graduates of the program may have good job prospects and a wide range of career opportunities. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
There are many other career opportunities available to pharmacists with an M.Pharm degree, and graduates may choose to work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the non-profit sector.
Consultant Pharmacists
Dispensary Manager
Clinical Pharmacist
Dispensary Pharmacist Hospital
Pharmacist Community
Pharmacist Medicines
Safety Manager
Pharmacy Assistant
Employment Area / Major Recruiters (Govt. & Private sector)
Quality Control
Quality Assurance
Sales and Marketing
Health Economy
Nutrition Pharmacy
Research & Development
M Pharmacy Course details Highlights
Course Level |
Postgraduate |
Full-form |
Master of Pharmacy |
Duration |
2 years |
Eligibility |
Minimum 50% in B.Pharm from a recognized university |
Admission Process |
Merit + Entrance Test |
Top Entrance Examinations |
GPAT, APPGECET, OJEE, HPCET, BITS, etc. |
Average Fee |
INR 2,50,000 |
Average Salary |
INR 3-6 LPA |
Job Positions |
Quality Control and Quality Assurance Managers, Sales Managers, Physician Associate, Health Economists, etc. |
Top Recruiting Companies |
Cipla, Lupin, Biocon, Wockhardt, Aurobindo, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Novozymnes, etc. |
M Pharmacy Syllabus
Drug Regulatory Affairs |
Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) preparation, New Drug Application (NDA), Investigational New Drug Application (INDA) |
Advanced Pharmaceutics |
Kinetic Principles and Stability Testing, Optimization Techniques, Quality Control, Preformulation Studies |
Biological Evaluation |
Pre-clinical Evaluation of drugs, Alternatives to animal screening procedures, Bioassays, Modern Methods of Pharmacological |
Product Development and Formulation |
Pilot Plant Scale-up Techniques, Suppositories, Dermatological Preparations, Fundamental Aspects of Product Development. |
Novel Drug Delivery Systems |
Oral drug delivery, Fundamentals of controlled release drug delivery systems, Regulatory consideration in controlled release. |
Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics |
Distribution of drugs, Elimination of the drug, Absorption of drugs, Pharmacokinetics. |
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) program:
1. What is M.Pharm?
Ans: M.Pharm, or Master of Pharmacy, is a postgraduate degree program that provides advanced knowledge and skills in the field of pharmacy. It typically focuses on specialized areas such as pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy, and pharmacy practice.
Q2: How long does it take to complete an M.Pharm program?
Ans: The duration of an M.Pharm program is usually 2 years.
Q3: What are the eligibility criteria for enrolling in an M.Pharm program?
Ans: Candidates are generally required to have a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree from a recognized institution. Some institutions may also require a minimum percentage or GPA, and relevant work experience can be an added advantage.
Q4: Is there an entrance exam for admission?
Ans: Yes, many institutions require candidates to pass an entrance exam for admission into the M.Pharm program. Common entrance exams include GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) in India and other institution-specific tests.
Q5: What subjects are typically covered in an M.Pharm program?
Ans: The curriculum includes advanced subjects in the chosen specialization. Core subjects may include Advanced Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Advanced Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Research Methodology, and Electives related to the specialization.
Q6: Are there any practical training components in the course?
Ans: Yes, M.Pharm programs typically include practical training components, such as laboratory work, internships, and research projects, to provide hands-on experience.
Q7: Can this degree lead to further education?
Ans: Yes, M.Pharm graduates can pursue further education such as a Ph.D. in Pharmacy or related fields.
Q8: Is the M.Pharm program recognized by professional bodies?
Ans: Yes, it's important to ensure that the M.Pharm program is accredited by relevant professional bodies such as the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) or equivalent organizations in other countries.
Q9: Can international students enroll in this program?
Ans: Many institutions welcome international students. However, it’s essential to check specific admission requirements and visa regulations.
Q10: How much does an M.Pharm program cost?
Ans: The cost can vary widely depending on the institution and country. On average, it can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Q11: Are there financial aid or scholarship options available?
Ans: Some institutions offer financial aid or scholarships to eligible students. It’s best to check with the specific institution for available options.
Q12: How do I apply for an M.Pharm program?
Ans: Applications are usually submitted online through the institution’s website. Applicants must provide academic transcripts, a completed application form, entrance exam scores, and any other required documents.
Q13: When is the application deadline?
Ans: Application deadlines vary by institution. It’s important to check the specific deadlines for each program.