The study of drugs and their composition is called Pharmacology. It also focuses on its uses and effects on the human body. It covers the examination of the processing of drugs and their interaction with the different parts of the human body. Pharmacology plays a vital role in the medical world as it gives deep knowledge of the origin, composition, use, and toxicology of any drug. MD Pharmacology Course is a postgraduate medicine degree that comprises the complete study and origin of drugs.
The tenure of the MD Pharmacology Course is 3 years. The first year of the course throws light on the basics of medicine. However, the second and third year is designed to provide practical knowledge of Pharmacology. During the 3 years designed curriculum, the students go through various training programs and research analysis. Apart from that they also do research projects to get deeper analysis and practical knowledge of Pharmacology.
After pursuing MD Pharmacology Course you will get ample employment opportunities. You can choose to be a clinical Pharmacologist, medical advisor, Pharmacovigilance, medical writer, medical monitoring, or clinical research manager.
MD Pharmacology as a branch
Pharmacology is such a branch that is concerned with the attribute, making, effects and usage of drugs. During MD Pharmacology the students learn about the different types of medicines, their chemical composition, effects, side effects, their interaction with a living being, and how the body reacts to them. Hence, the overall study of Pharmacology undergoes the sources, chemical attributes, biological outcomes, and therapeutic uses of drugs. Moreover, the students also learn about the distinct kinds of medicine and how to use them to treat various diseases.
Course Summary
| Course Name | MD in General Medicine |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 Years |
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% |
| Eligibility | MBBS with 55% aggregate marks |
| Average Fees | 10,000 – 15,00,000 INR |
| Admission Procedure | Entrance Exam/ Group Discussions/ Personal Interview/ Counseling |
| Average Starting Salary | 2.5 – 20 Lakhs INR |
| Top Recruiting Companies | MAX Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, Indian Council of Medical Research, Apollo Hospitals, Meditrina Hospitals Private limited, etc. |
Why Study MD Pharmacology Course
Pursuing MD Pharmacology Course can be a good choice. It can lead you toward an outstanding career. Read the following reasons why you should choose this branch.
- Job security in pharmacology is quite high compared to other branches. As we know medicine is synonymous with survival, pharmacologists are always in demand due to emergencies, pandemics, etc.
- MD Pharmacology provides a broad range of career options. You can choose to be an academic as well as a Pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, you can join as Pharmacologist, medical writer, drug safety officer, clinical researcher as well as an educator.
- There is no doubt that the demand for pharmacologists is increasing rapidly. According to the US Bureau of labor statistics, the job of various medical scientists including pharmacologists is expected to increase by 6% till 2029.
- Pharmacology is an evolving as well as evergreen branch. Being a researcher you can develop new medicine and remedies and work toward the growth of the field.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidates must have obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery ( MBBS) degree to get eligible for MD Pharmacology Course.
- The candidate’s score in the undergraduate program must be 55 % or above.
- After successful completion of the MBBS program the candidates must do one year of rotating internship.
- The candidates are directed to prepare for NEET PG. It is a national-level entrance examination whose rank is widely accepted throughout the nation.
Admission Process
The admission procedure for the MD Pharmacology Course follows a few steps.
- The candidates need to crack NEET PG which is the foremost door to getting admission in all MD Courses. This entrance basically covers the knowledge of medical science, physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology.
- Candidates after selecting their desired college must visit their official website and get genuine details.
- The candidates must submit the application form offline or online mode. This includes providing some personal and academic details.
- As per the candidate’s rank in the entrance examination and academic scores the respective institutes provide a merit list.
- The students who meet the cut off are hereby summoned to the counseling session.
List of Medical Colleges
| College Name | State/ City | Type | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences | New Delhi | Government | 17 |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore | Private | 2 |
| Kasturba Medical College | Manipal | Private | 8 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research | Puducherry | Government | 7 |
| Stanley Medical College | Chennai | Government | 2 |
| King Georges Medical University | Lucknow | Government | 16 |
| Grant Medical College | Mumbai | Government | 3 |
| Medical College | Kolkata | Government | 2 |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College | New Delhi | Government | 3 |
| RG Kar Medical College | Kolkata | Government | 4 |
| Seth GS Medical College | Mumbai | Government | 10 |
| BJ Medical College | Ahmedabad | Government | 8 |
| Osmania Medical College | Hyderabad | Government | 15 |
| SMS Medical College | Jaipur | Government | 1 |
| Gandhi Medical College | Hyderabad | Government | 4 |
| Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute | Bengaluru | Government | 9 |
| Maulana Azad Medical College | New Delhi | Government | 3 |
Career Scope
After pursuing MD in Pharmacology you can find lucrative jobs in Government or Private organizations. You can get employment in any pharmaceutical company across the nation or abroad. Apart from that you can also join medical universities or pharma companies as a research scientist. Additionally, you can also join marketing or management. Here is a list of some popular career options you can opt for after the MD Pharmacology Course.
Clinical Pharmacologists: They work in pharmaceutical companies or hospitals. They make sure that the drugs are used carefully. They advise doctors and other healthcare specialists about the proper use of drugs and their effects and side effects.
Medical Writers: They write medical content for pharmaceutical companies as well as academic institutes. This includes clinical trial reports, regulatory submissions, and medical articles.
Academic researcher: After pursuing MD Pharmacology Course you can work in various research institutes as a researcher or professor. They work hard to invent new drugs and therapies
Clinical Research Associate: A clinical research associate carries out the trials and monitors them. They work in collaboration with doctors and pharmacists to make sure the patients receive the best care during trials.
Government and regulatory bodies: As a Government and regulatory body you will be able to do the administration of food and drug to make sure that medicines are safely taken by the people.
Medical Advisors: They provide counseling to medical teams and experts. They give information about the company’s products.
Job Roles and Average Annual Salaries
| Job Roles | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Analytical Scientist | 2-5 lakh |
| Clinical Research Associate | 5-8 lakh |
| Pharmacologist | 10-14 lakh |
| Biomedical Scientist | 6-8 lakh |
| Research Scientist | 6-8 lakh |
| Medical Advisor | 4-6 lakh |
| Medical Writers | 5-8 lakh |
What after MD Pharmacology Course
After completion of MD pharmacology you can either find a job and get a handsome salary or you can go for higher studies. The students can do super specialization in the following areas.
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Medical Toxicology
- Pharmacovigilance
- Pharmaceutical Medicine
- Clinical Research
- Forensic Medicine
- Oncology Pharmacology
Pharmacology FAQ
- Who can study Pharmacology?
To study MD Pharmacology you need to do MBBS first. After that, you have to crack NEET PG and secure a good rank.
- What can I do after MD Pharmacology?
After MD Pharmacology you will get multiple job opportunities. This includes Clinical Pharmacologists, Drug safety officers, medical writers, clinical research associates, etc.
- What is the duration of MD Pharmacology?
The duration of MD Pharmacology is 3 years.
- Which is the best College in India to study MD Pharmacology?
AIIMS, Delhi is the best institute to study MD Pharmacology.