Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) at Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Mornag, Nepal

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) program at Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences (PUSHS), situated in Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal, and affiliated with Purbanchal University (PU), is a four-year undergraduate degree designed to educate future pharmacists.

This pharmacy degree in Nepal offers a thorough curriculum covering pharmaceutical sciences, drug development, and patient care. It prepares graduates for diverse roles in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

The B. Pharm at PUSHS offers a strong educational pathway for students interested in medicines and healthcare and contributing to patient well-being through pharmaceutical expertise.

Curriculum Details

The B. Pharm curriculum at PUSHS is structured to provide a comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences. The four-year program integrates theoretical knowledge, practical laboratory work, and professional practice experiences. It covers various aspects of pharmacy, from drug discovery to patient counseling.

Core Courses

The core courses of the B. Pharm program lay the essential foundation in pharmaceutical sciences:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry: This covers organic, inorganic, medicinal, and pharmaceutical chemistry, which is necessary for understanding drug properties and synthesis.

• Pharmaceutics: Deals with the science and technology of dosage form design and drug delivery systems, including formulation and manufacturing of medicines.

• Pharmacology: Studies drug actions, mechanisms, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects, crucial for understanding how drugs interact with the body.

• Pharmacognosy: Focuses on medicinal plants and natural products, including their identification, cultivation, extraction, and therapeutic applications.

• Pharmaceutical Analysis Covers methods and techniques for identifying, quantifying, and quality-controlling pharmaceuticals and drug substances.

• Biochemistry studies the chemical processes within living organisms relevant to drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and drug-body interactions.

• Human Anatomy and Physiology provide detailed knowledge of the human body's structure and function, essential for understanding drug effects and disease processes.

• Pathophysiology Studies the functional changes associated with disease and injury. It is crucial for understanding disease states and rational pharmacotherapy.

• Pharmacy Practice: Introduces patient-centered pharmacy practice, dispensing, medication counseling, and clinical pharmacy services.

• Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Covers microorganisms relevant to pharmaceuticals, including sterilization, industrial microbiology, and pharmaceutical biotechnology.

• Pharmaceutical Management and Marketing: Explores principles of pharmacy management, pharmaceutical marketing, and healthcare regulations.

• Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence and Ethics: Covers pharmaceutical laws, regulations, ethics in pharmacy practice, and legal aspects of drug handling and dispensing.

Specializations and Electives

The B. Pharm program at PUSHS provides a broad pharmaceutical education. While specific specializations at the undergraduate level might be limited, students may have opportunities to focus their elective choices and project work in areas such as:

• Clinical Pharmacy: Focusing on patient-oriented pharmacy services and clinical therapeutics.

• Industrial Pharmacy: Concentrating on pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control, and drug development.

• Community Pharmacy: Emphasizing dispensing, patient counseling, and community health pharmacy services.

• Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance: Delving into drug analysis and quality control procedures.

Objectives

The B. Pharm program at PUSHS aims to achieve the following key objectives:

• To produce competent pharmacists capable of providing pharmaceutical care and services in various settings.

• To develop expertise in drug development, formulation, manufacturing, Analysis, and quality assurance of pharmaceuticals.

• To prepare graduates to provide patient counseling, medication management, and rational drug use promotion.

• To instill ethical principles and professionalism in pharmacy practice.

• To foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for pharmacy professionals.

• To empower lifelong learning and continuous professional development in the dynamic pharmacy field.

Scope

The scope of the B. Pharm degree is extensive, offering diverse pharmacy careers in various sectors in Nepal and globally. B. Pharm graduates can pursue roles in:

• Community Pharmacies: Dispensing medications, counseling patients, and managing pharmacy operations.

• Hospital Pharmacies: Working in hospital settings, providing clinical pharmacy services and drug information, and managing hospital drug distribution systems.

• Pharmaceutical Industry: Involved in drug manufacturing, quality control, research and development, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical marketing.

• Regulatory Agencies: I work in drug regulatory bodies and am involved in drug registration, licensing, and quality monitoring.

• Clinical Research Organizations (CROs): Participating in clinical trials, drug safety monitoring, and pharmaceutical research.

• Academia and Research Institutions: With further education, pursuing careers in pharmacy education and pharmaceutical research.

• Government and Public Health Sector: Roles in government health programs, drug procurement, and public health pharmacy initiatives.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the B. Pharm program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences in various pharmacy practice settings.

• Perform pharmaceutical calculations, compounding, and dispensing accurately and safely.

• Provide adequate patient counseling and medication therapy management.

• Ensure quality control and quality assurance in pharmaceutical manufacturing and dispensing.

• Apply pharmacological principles to promote rational drug use and optimize patient outcomes.

• Adhere to pharmaceutical ethics and legal regulations in pharmacy practice.

• Communicate effectively with patients, healthcare professionals, and the public on pharmaceutical matters.

• Participate in lifelong learning and professional development in pharmacy.

Skill Development Modules

The B. Pharm program at PUSHS incorporates specific modules and strategies for pharmaceutical skill development:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry Labs: Hands-on training in drug synthesis, Analysis, and quality control testing.

• Pharmaceutics Labs: Practical experience in formulation development, dosage form design, and pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques.

• Pharmacology Labs: Experiments to study drug actions, effects, and pharmacological screening methods.

• Pharmacy Practice Labs: Simulated pharmacy settings for dispensing practice, patient counseling, and clinical pharmacy skills training.

• Industrial Visits: Exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and industrial pharmacy practices.

• Community Pharmacy Placements: Practical experience in community pharmacies, dispensing, and patient interaction.

• Hospital Pharmacy Rotations: Clinical pharmacy rotations to learn about hospital drug distribution, clinical pharmacy services, and medication management.

Teaching Methodology

PUSHS employs diverse teaching methods in the B. Pharm program to facilitate comprehensive learning and skill acquisition:

• Interactive Lectures and Seminars: Engaging lectures promoting student participation and critical discussion.

• Laboratory Sessions: Extensive practical lab work to develop hands-on pharmaceutical skills.

• Group Discussions and Tutorials: Small group learning to enhance understanding and problem-solving.

• Case Studies and Problem-Based Learning: Application of pharmaceutical knowledge to real-world scenarios and case analysis.

• Presentations and Journal Clubs: Student presentations and journal clubs to improve communication and critical appraisal skills.

• Guest Lectures by Industry Experts: Insights from practicing pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry professionals.

• Experiential Learning: Practical placements in community and hospital pharmacies and industrial visits.

Faculty Expertise

The B. Pharm program faculty at PUSHS consists of:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry Experts: Specialists in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical Analysis, and drug synthesis.

• Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Specialists: Experts in formulation science, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Pharmacology and Toxicology Experts: Professionals with expertise in drug actions, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology.

• Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy Specialists: Pharmacists with experience in patient care, clinical pharmacy services, and pharmacy practice management.

• Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Experts: Specialists in medicinal plants and natural product pharmacology.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the B. Pharm program at PUSHS generally requires:

• Must have completed 10+2 or equivalent education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (or Mathematics).

• Meeting minimum academic criteria as set by Purbanchal University and PUSHS.

• This may include an entrance examination conducted by PU or PUSHS.

• Specific requirements should be verified from the official admission announcements.

Career Opportunities

B. Pharm graduates have diverse pharmacy career opportunities:

• Pharmacist in Community Pharmacy: Dispensing and patient counseling in retail pharmacies.

• Hospital Pharmacist: Providing clinical pharmacy services in hospitals.

• Pharmaceutical Industry Professional: In manufacturing, quality control, R&D, marketing, and regulatory affairs.

• Drug Inspector/Drug Controller: In government regulatory agencies.

• Clinical Research Associate: In clinical research organizations.

• Academician/Researcher: In pharmacy colleges and research institutions (with further studies).

• Pharmaceutical Consultant: Providing pharmaceutical expertise to various organizations.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities

Student life in B. Pharm at PUSHS includes:

• Pharmaceutical Society Activities: Student organizations focused on the pharmacy profession, seminars, and workshops.

• Health Awareness Programs: Participation in community health initiatives and pharmaceutical awareness campaigns.

• Industrial Visits and Pharmacy Events: Exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and professional pharmacy events.

• Research Projects and Presentations: Opportunities for student research in pharmaceutical sciences.

• Campus Environment: Supportive academic community and conducive learning atmosphere.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Information on B. Pharm scholarships and financial aid at PUSHS can be obtained directly from the institution. Students interested in pharmacy studies are encouraged to inquire about:

• Merit Scholarships for Pharmacy Students: Recognizing academic excellence in pharmacy.

• Need-Based Financial Aid for Pharmacy Education: Supporting students with financial constraints.

• Pharmaceutical Industry Scholarships: Potentially offered by pharmaceutical companies or organizations.

Why Choose This Course?

Choosing the B. Pharm program at PUSHS offers:

• Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Education: Broad and in-depth curriculum in pharmaceutical sciences.

• Practical Skills Focus: Extensive lab work and practical training for hands-on competence.

• Diverse Career Options: There are many career opportunities in pharmacy and related sectors.

• Experienced Faculty: Expert faculty with strong backgrounds in pharmaceutical disciplines.

• Contribution to Healthcare: Opportunity to play a vital role in healthcare through pharmaceutical expertise.

Why Choose This College?

PUSHS, as a leading pharmacy college in Nepal and a reputable health sciences institution in Biratnagar, provides the following:

• Dedicated Pharmacy Program: Focused on pharmaceutical education and training.

• Well-Equipped Labs and Facilities: Modern infrastructure for pharmaceutical studies.

• Supportive Learning Environment: Engaging campus and committed faculty.

• Affiliation with Purbanchal University: Recognized university affiliation.

• Strategic Location: Access to healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors in eastern Nepal.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program at Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences is a comprehensive, career-oriented degree designed to develop skilled and ethical pharmacists. Located in Biratnagar, Nepal, and affiliated with Purbanchal University, PUSHS offers a robust curriculum, practical skill development, and a supportive learning environment.

Contact Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences's administrative office for detailed information on the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) course, including fees, scholarships, facilities, counseling, eligibility criteria, etc.