Bachelor of Pharmacy, BPharm Course

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) course is a keystone in medical education, sharing in-depth knowledge with aspiring students. The establishment of the program mainly focuses on learning essential skills for manufacturing and dispensing pharmaceuticals.

Overview

BPharm Course in Nepal

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) started Intermediate in Pharmacy in 1972. Later on, Kathmandu University started the four-year BPharm course in Nepal in 1994.

Currently, 8 institutions/universities namely Pokhara, Purbanchal, Tribhuvan, Kathmandu, Gandaki Universities Karnali Academy of Health Science, Madan Bhandari Health Science Academy, and Manmohan Technical University in Nepal, are offering education of Bachelor of Pharmacy education to the medical students.

The following table shows Bachelor of Pharmacy Universities, Colleges in Nepal, and seats for studying this program in those Colleges for new intakes every year.

General Information about BPharm Course

Many students may pursue a BPharm degree theoretically and practically, learning raw experience in pharmaceutical labs. The syllabus prepares them to guide in difficult and complex situations in the medical field as well.

BPharm course not only focuses on developing technical skills but also improves vital abilities like analytical logic, finding answers to problems, and useful communication.

The BPharm program shows the ethical aspects of pharmaceutical work. Moreover, it fosters a sense of accountability towards the well-being of the public.

As the medical industry rises, BPharm scholars play an important role in advancing pharmaceutical knowledge. Likewise, they can assure medical safety and effectiveness, whilst improving individual and community health conditions.

Successful completion of a Bachelor of Pharmacy opens avenues for personal and professional development. Furthermore, they can serve in daily happenings, quality control, hospital pharmacy, and community medical service.

BPharm degree can help to pursue higher studies and research opportunities in the medical field. Similarly, it suggests scholars contribute to a cutting-edge understanding of pharmaceutical science.

Students with Pharmacology majors can actively engage in the development and commercialization of medicine, biomedical research, and health care in laboratory settings of drug companies to hone skills and abilities of Management, Science and research, and patient well-being.

Objective of BPharm

The key objectives of studying Bachelor of Pharmacy program from Universities and research health science institutes in Nepal are:-

• To gain knowledge to work in the area of disease prevention and counsel patients to follow the prescribed medications.
• To be able to handle dispensing, procurement, storage, formulation, small and large scale production of drugs (medicines)
• To be able to carry out drug assessment examinations using different methods.
• To be able to review and execute the physician's prescriptions by checking their legality and appropriateness to patients' medical conditions.
• To be able to be a mentor to the pharmacy technicians on pharmaceutical benchmarks, quality control, and hygiene from the study of this program.

Every Bachelor of Pharmacy student will have these areas of competencies from their academic study periods of the program:-

• Scientific Foundation
• Pharmaceutical Knowledge
• Communication and Practical Skills
• Clinical Understanding
• Ethical and Professional Values
• Research Aptitude
• Regulatory Understanding
• Team and Collaboration
• Global Perspective
• Entrepreneurial Skills
• Continuous Learning

The objectives mentioned above collectively contribute to the rapid growth of BPharm students. Also, these objectives are necessary to be able to survive and sustain the pharmaceutical industries that provide health care and support for ailing people with all possible kinds of diseases.

Eligibility for BPharm

Each University providing a Bachelor of Pharmacy has its requirements. It is important to verify the specific needs of the pharmaceutical colleges. So, here are some applicable requirements that students need to fulfill below:-

• Students who want to pursue a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy must pass 10+2 in Science faculty (Physics, Chemistry, Botany) or, finish their A-levels with at least a 2.4 GPA or 50 percent.
• For health sciences faculty, you must have a minimum of 50 percent pass mark (in subjects: Ayurveda, Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and Ophthalmic Science) under the relevant council.
• Those who have a medical-related proficiency certificate or diploma in General Medicine should have a minimum fifty percent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Alternatively, interested applicants can pass a proficiency level certificate or diploma with a minimum of 50% in subjects including Dental Science and Physiotherapy.

A counseling session or personal interview may be part of the admission process in some medical colleges. This is an equal opportunity for universities in Nepal to evaluate the candidate's learning ability for the BPharm course.

It's essential to note that admission requirements can change, and universities may update their criteria in times of necessity.

Scope of BPharm

The career paths after completion of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program are diverse:-

Here are some key aspects of the scope of the BPharm program in Nepal:-

• BPharm graduates can work in pharmaceutical industries involved in drug manufacturing, pharmaceutical research, and medical developments.
• Can work for Hospitals and healthcare institutions to provide medical dispensaries with valid medicines and drugs that have been prescribed by Doctors and Physicians.
• Can conduct pharmaceutical research and explore new drug formulations and affordable alternatives.
• With higher experience in the field of pharmacy, qualified students can pursue their respective careers as teachers in medical colleges, or training of future pharmacists.
• BPharm scholars have the option to start their pharmacy or pharmaceutical-related business which opens a doorway to medical entrepreneurship.

BPharm graduates need to stay updated for new changes in the medical industry regulations. They must also know technological advancements to remain competitive in the dynamic field of pharmacy.

Additionally, BPharm students participating in professional pharmaceutical development activities can further boost career growth. They can also acquire relevant certifications which bring new opportunities.

Fee Structure of BPharm

In Nepal, the fee cost of a Bachelor of Pharmacy for four years and eight semesters varies typically from 2 to 8 lakhs (estimated). Furthermore, some private colleges may charge between NPR 5 lakhs and NPR 8 lakhs for the pharmaceutical degree.

The fee structure table mentioned above determines the estimated cost of universities in Nepal. The lowest cost for BPharm can be found at Tribhuvan University and the highest cost of the same program are at Pokhara and Kathmandu Universities in Nepal.

Scholarship for BPharm Students

The Nepalese government issues 815 seats for aspiring students who pursue BPharm course in Nepal. Furthermore, the government granted 190 positions for students with scholarships as of 2023.

The available scholarship seats for BPharm students are split into two categories: first, general (55%, or 104 seats) and reservation (45%, or 86 seats). Likewise, candidates in each category are chosen solely on the merit list.

The allocation of scholarship seats available for the Bachelor of Pharmacy course of study is distributed as follows:

 

B.Pharm Scholarships Seats

Total Seats	190
General Scholarship (55% of total scholarship)	104
Reservation Scholarship (45% of total scholarship)	86
Female (28%)	24
Khas Arya (17%)	14
Adibasi Janajati (15%)	13
Dalit (9%)	8
Madheshi (9%)	8
Dalit Female (2%)	3
Tharu (4%)	3
Pichhadiye Ko Kshetra (4%)	3
Muslim Female (3%)	2
Madhesi Dalit (3%)	2
Muslim (2%)	2
Apanga (2%)	2
Shahid Pariwar (2%)	2

For instance, 190 MECEE-BL passed students for the Bachelor of Pharmacy course are picked regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity for the general scholarship.

The competition for reserved seats will be limited to qualifying scholars in each sub-category. Depending on the merit list, 24 female candidates will be selected to pursue the BPharm course.