Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 17: Medicines are the mainstay of treatment of diseases not only for humans, but also for animals and plants. These medicine which we call as drugs come from different sources – synthetic, plants and animals. Over the years, some of the diseases such as small pox and polio could be eradicated, but many remain recalcitrant.

Now, who makes these drugs? Pharmacists are the key members of drug development and manufacturing industry. Different pharmacy programmes are being offered by universities.

At NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ranked 41st in NIRF 2024, a constituent college of Nitte (Deemed to be University), the following pharmacy programmes are offered:

2-year diploma in pharmacy (DPharm): One will be learning the fundamentals of pharmacy profession. A diploma holder can register as a pharmacist and she/he can establish a pharmacy shop. However, there are other options available such as pharma industry, marketing, hospital pharmacy etc.

4-year bachelors in pharmacy (BPharm): BPharm graduates learn the concepts of drug action, synthesis of drugs, extraction of medicines from the plants, testing of these new compounds for their activity and preparing suitable formulation such as tablets, capsules, liquids, ointments, creams, injectables etc. A degree holder can join pharmaceutical industry, marketing, medical writing and administration. However, nearly 80% of the graduates opt for post-graduation (MPharm) in the area of their interest.

2-year post graduation (MPharm): A BPharm. graduate can continue his/her study in specialized areas. There are several exciting post graduate programmes. MPharm in pharmaceutical chemistry imparts knowledge about how new chemical entities can by synthesized in laboratory. It is playing with molecules and chemical to produce possible cures for ailments. MPharm in pharmacology tells about the action of drugs, its adverse effects and how these new drugs can be tested before giving to people. There is another interesting specialization - pharmaceutics - for those who are keen on preparing medicines what is called as manufacturing. They will be learning about how to make capsule, tablets, pastes, creams, injections and other formulations what one sees on the shelves in a medical shop. If the focus is joining the pharmaceutical industry, MPharm in industrial pharmacy is a good option. It is similar to pharmaceutics, with more focus on industrial problem solving and set up. MPharm in drug regulatory affairs will train one in drug laws, guidelines, national and international regulatory aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. The monitoring of the production standards, process controls, quality aspects of pharma manufacturing is the focus of post-graduation in quality assurance. If he/she is looking for the patient-centric approach, MPharm in pharmacy practice will be the right choice where one will be leaning about pharmacotherapy, adverse drug reactions, patient compliance etc.

6-year doctor in pharmacy (PharmD): One can consider PharmD after class 12, as an integrated postgraduate programme with patient-centric approach. The last three years of the study will be at the hospital including one-year internship. This programme was launched to make Indian pharmacy professionals at par with developed countries. If he/she is planning to go abroad, this programme will be the ideal one.

PhD in pharmaceutical science: If one has a research bent of mind, he/she can pursue search for knowledge by carrying out PhD programme at the institute. Thus, the college offers the entire spectrum of pharmacy programmes.

Obvious question is what next? Pharmacy graduates can find their career in drug development, manufacturing, quality control, marketing etc. India is now known as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’ and it is growing at a pace of 15% annually, well above all other industries. That is the area where one can position for an exciting and productive career. Welcome to the world of pharmacy.

For admission enquiries, please visit, https://apply.nitte.edu.in/ or contact +91 95131 88844.