Introduction
The field of medicine is the oldest profession that has successfully managed to retain its place in the list of the most esteemed and coveted professions. Venturing into the field of medicine is the dream of the present youth because of the perks this profession provides. Respect, reasonable remuneration and most importantly, the prospect of impacting human life in positive ways make students eager to realize their dream of pursuing the medical field. And why must a student not develop an aptitude for this field after the mammoth contribution the medical field makes in sustaining a proper and healthy lifestyle? It was with the help of extensive research in the medical field that the world could free itself from the notorious clutches of covid 19.
Owing to the health-conscious crowd, the importance of the medical field has been boosted. Long gone are the ignorant times. The progress in science and technology has ushered in a new generation of health-conscious people who refrain from taking any medication without being well versed with its side effects. But how do we know whether a drug is safe for use and what kind of effect it will have on the body? That is where Pharmacology comes in.
Pharmacology is “the science of drugs”, and the contemplation of their origin, composition, therapeutic use, and toxicology. In simple terms, the part of pharmaceutical sciences concerned with drugs and the action of the medication on the human body is called Pharmacology. Pharmacology is rapidly acquiring popularity among students as a career option because the bonuses it provides as a career are unparalleled.
We know how hefty it can be to gather authentic information about the course you want to take up, especially if it is not much ventured into. To put an end to your worries, we’ve endeavoured to assemble the necessary information a student must have before opting for a Pharmacology Course.
More about Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the analysis of the diverse effects that a drug may have on the human body. Pharmacology deals with the creation and research of new chemical substances and medicinal compounds besides scrutinizing their effects. It aims at discovering the beneficial and detrimental effects of a drug. Pharmacology can be applied to a broad scientific field.
How is Pharmacy different from Pharmacology?
One very familiar confusion one encounters while discussing Pharmacology is the inability to distinguish the subjects Pharmacy and Pharmacology. At one glance these two disciplines may appear similar but they are very different at the core. Pharmacy necessarily deals with the study of dispensing drugs so that one can become an efficient pharmacist while pharmacology pertains to the study of drugs and their effects.
Eligibility for studying Pharmacology:
The candidate must have a minimum of 50% aggregate in the 12th standard with the subjects Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English from any recognised board. Admission may be either merit-based or entrance based.
Duration of the course:
It is a 4-year long course with a B.Pharm degree awarded at the end of the course.
Scope of Pharmacology:
- There exists a worldwide demand for pharmacologists at present.
- Graduates with a degree in Pharmacology from the future workforce in the preclinical and clinical drug safety arena.
- This subject has employed many graduates in an academic domain while some pursue additional educational training by entering medical school or PhD programs.
- It incorporates knowledge from numerous scientific disciplines including chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology, delivering an influential positive impact on human health.
- Pharmacology furnishes a student with sound scientific knowledge that often forms the foundation of many breakthroughs in the field of medicine.
- With the inauguration of the diverse industries and pharmaceutical companies, Pharmacology graduates are to witness a better exposure to the industries and various jobs related to them.
- Upon completion of the course, candidates can continue in the academic field, and do post-graduation and doctorate programs in Pharmacology. That will impart deep information inculcating the habits of researching in the Pharmacology field.
Subjects covered in the course:
The curriculum for pharmacology is bifurcated into 8 semesters with extensive course study, comprising credits for theory, internships, practicals, and project works. Students are taught in-depth the areas of studies to ingrain the concepts properly. Let us look at some of the topics covered under the course curriculum of Pharmacology:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmaceutical Math & Biostatistics
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Toxicology
- Biotechnology
- Medicinal chemistry
- Drug delivery systems
- Drug design and development.
- Molecular cell biology
- Biometrics
- Pathophysiology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Pathophysiology
- Human Physiology and Anatomy
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacognosy
Top Job Profiles One Can Opt For After Pharmacology:
Before finalizing any discipline to trust your future upon, it is important to take a look at the probable job profiles one can achieve on completion of the course. The list given below will make your task easier.
1. Job profiles directly related to the course
- Researcher
- Professor
- Biomedical Scientist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Pharmacologist
- Medicinal Chemist
- Clinical Scientist
- Academic Researcher
- Analytical Chemist
- Biomedical Scientist
- Community Pharmacist
- Clinical Research Associates
- Clinical Trial Monitors
- Clinical Study Coordinators
- Consultants
2. Job profiles in which the degree will be useful
- Higher Education Lecturer
- Medical Sales Representative
- Medical Sales Liaison
- Neuroscientist
- Patent Scientist
- Regulatory Affairs Officer
- Science Writer
A pharmacist is a medical practitioner who provides medications or prescriptions that have been authorized by a doctor, in addition to making recommendations for over-the-counter remedies. Pharmacy professionals can be divided into several groups, including hospital and community pharmacists. In this context, the significance of pharmacy colleges is crucial. Let us look at some of the renowned colleges to pursue pharmacology in 2022:
| Name of College | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
| Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | Rs 4.80 lakh |
| Punjab University, Chandigarh | Rs 3.46 lakhs |
| Parul University, Vadodara | Rs 57,000 |
| NIPER, Mohali | Rs 1.54 lakh |
| Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | Rs 3.41 lakh |
| BITS Pilani | Rs 19 lakhs |
| NIPER, Hyderabad | Rs 91,000 |
| Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune | Rs 1 lakh |
| Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Delhi | Rs 50,000 |
| JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty | Rs 5.78 lakh |
Conclusion:
A pharmacology degree furnishes knowledge of medications, their sources, chemical properties, biological effects and therapeutic uses. This subject lets one explore the drug interactions in a biological system, the formulation and operation of clinical trials, drug regulation and the marketing of pharmaceuticals. With a tempting average salary of Rs 5,00,000- Rs 8,00,000 lakhs per annum, one can consider Pharmacology to be one of the courses that let one grab the best jobs in terms of monetary value. The feeling of influencing people’s health and well-being, and bringing them relief when they suffer from ailments is unparalleled. If you want to secure a better future and work for the betterment of society too, Pharmacology will be your best fit.