Pharmacy College in Nepal

Pharmacy courses such as Bachelor of Pharmacy are running at various Colleges of Nepal approved by Tribhuvan University. Pharmacy program produces Pharmacists who can provide service at communities and hospitals, specialists in technology and research, Managers and specialists. Job holders of this field can work in public and private jobs in very pivotal areas such as regulatory control and drug Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Quality Assurance, Academic activities, training activities and research. Pharmacy program runs at medical Colleges, teaching hospitals, Institute of Medicine at public and private institutions of Nepal.

Some of the Best Colleges for studying Pharmacy in Nepal are Gandaki Medical College, Purbanchal University College of medical and allied Sciences, Chitwan Medical College, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Nepalgunj Medical College, Medical College Teaching hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences. Pharmacy Colleges  provide a Bachelor level program in Pharmacy of four years duration with 6 weeks of implant training in the pharmaceutical industry.

How to choose Pharmacy Colleges in Nepal?

  • Know your goals:

Your goals about studying Pharmacy will be a large determinant factor to select the right pharmacy College. Do you want to work in a hospital or clinic, do you need certain facilities or requirements pre hand then explore the outcomes to best know the College you want to get in.

 

  • How much do you want to pay:

Always have a pre-planned budget before studying. Find out about fee structures, scholarships and placements beforehand and allocate your budget to see if things go smoothly. Don’t put your family in debt to study Pharmacy at a large cost. Seek out education loans or guarantees if you need financial backing to clear the academic program.

 

  • Seek connection with other degrees:

Sometimes you may need another degree with one degree. If your interest is towards the horizon of the medical profession then you may opt to study for another degree. If so, then ensure that your current degree can become a path to study or specialize in another degree. Make sure the correlation is there.

 

  • Find out your Campus requirement:

Campus life in the medical field is very integral. Make sure your College provides ample facilities to students so that you can go through your academic program without difficulties or adjustment issues.

Pharmacy programs, including the Diploma in Pharmacy and the Bachelor of Pharmacy, are currently offered at several esteemed educational institutions in Nepal. These programs have received approval from reputable accrediting bodies such as the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) and the Tribhuvan University (TU) respectively. In the current educational landscape, Pharmacy is being pursued by students at two distinct levels, a comprehensive explication of which is provided below.

Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm):

The Diploma in Pharmacy program spans a duration of three years and is administered by constituent colleges affiliated with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). This program has garnered endorsement from the Nepal Pharmacy Council (NPC), signifying its role in equipping students with the requisite pharmaceutical education essential for their progressive professional advancement.

Eligibility Criteria: -

Individuals seeking enrollment in the Diploma in Pharmacy program in Nepal must satisfy the outlined criteria to gain admission to the affiliated constituent colleges.

  • Applicants interested in the Diploma in Pharmacy program must have achieved a grade of at least C in Compulsory Mathematics, English, and Science in their School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination from a recognized institution. Additionally, a minimum average GPA of 2 is required for admission.
  • The interested students must also clear the entrance examination conducted by the CTEVT.

Fee Structure: -

The colleges that are connected with CTEVT charge the following fees for the Diploma in Pharmacy program:

Particulars

Fees

First Installment

Rs.169464

Second Installment

Rs.127098

Third Installment

Rs.127098

Total

Rs.423660

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm):

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) program is a 4-years undergraduate program designed to produce professionals who use chemical sciences for inspecting drug manufacturing plant, monitor storage, drug handling, and distribution. This program is offered by four top Universities in Nepal. They are:

  • Tribhuvan University (TU)
  • Kathmandu University (KU)
  • Pokhara University (PoU)
  • Purbanchal University (PU) 

Objectives of B. Pharm Program: -

The prime objectives of Bachelor of Pharmacy course include:

  • Helping the pharmacy field in Nepal get better by teaching and training continuously.
  • Making skilled pharmacists for jobs in companies and government, who can solve medicine-related problems using science.
  • Giving pharmaceutical companies well-trained workers who know the right technology, rules, and how to make safe medicines.
  • Training people to handle tasks like giving out medicines, talking to patients, buying drugs, storing them, making new ones, and working in big or small production.

Eligibility Criteria: -

  • Prospective candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy program are required to have successfully completed their 10+2 education in the Science stream, with a specific emphasis on Physics, Chemistry, and Botany. Additionally, candidates with A-level qualifications are also eligible to apply. The minimum eligibility criteria for consideration include a GPA of at least 2.4 or an equivalent of 50%.
  • The suitable candidates must also clear the entrance examination taken by the respective universities. Please be informed that the entrance test is same for all the universities.

Fee Structure: -

The cost of education can vary widely between universities. Take a look at the table below for an overview of the approximate fees charged by different universities:

University

Fees (in NPR)

Tribhuvan (TU)

5 to 8 lakhs

Kathmandu (KU)

580000

Pokhara (PoU)

5 to 8 lakhs

Purbanchal (PU)

5 to 8 lakhs

Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm):

The Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) program in Nepal is a two-year, four-semester course offered by three prominent universities in the country. They are the Kathmandu University (KU), Pokhara University (PoU), and Purbanchal University (PU). Each of these universities offers M. Pharm program with distinct specialization options for prospective students. Presently, the M. Pharm program in Nepal is available in the following fields of study:

Kathmandu University (KU)

  • Industrial Pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutical Care

Pokhara University (PoU)

  • Natural Product Pharmacy
  • Clinical Pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutics

Purbanchal University (PU)

  • Clinical Pharmacy

Eligibility Criteria: -

The minimum requirements to be fulfilled by the students in order to pursue Master of Pharmacy degree are as follows:

  • A B. Pharm degree or its equivalent recognized by the government of Nepal is necessary.
  • Enrollment with the Nepal Pharmacy Council is mandatory.

There are specific requisites which differ from one university to another in order to study Master of Pharmacy in Nepal. They are outlined below:

For Kathmandu University:

To qualify for inclusion in the merit list, candidates need to achieve a minimum score of 50% (passing marks) in the Entrance Examinations administered by the Medical Education Commission.

For Pokhara University:

Applicants seeking admission to the M. Pharm program must have accomplished a B. Pharm degree with a CGPA of 3.0 (out of 4), which is accredited by the Pharmacy Council of Nepal.

For Purbanchal University:

In order to qualify for inclusion in the merit list, candidates are required to attain a minimum score of 50% (passing marks) in the Entrance Examinations administered by the Medical Education Commission.

 

Fee Structure: -

The tuition fees for the Master of Pharmacy program in Nepal can differ across various universities. As of 2023, approximately, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University, and Purbanchal University charge fees ranging from NPR 500,000 to NPR 600,000.

Career Scope and Job Opportunities: -

The pharmacy profession is characterized by its dignity and high regard, as it directly concerns the proper utilization of medicine and the healthcare system. A graduate holding a Diploma in Pharmacy is designated as a pharmacy assistant in accordance with the Pharmacy Council Act 2057. This qualification presents the following career avenues:

  • Establishing retail pharmacies within municipal areas.
  • Securing employment within governmental and private hospital pharmacy settings.
  • Contributing to community pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, as well as various health-oriented NGOs and INGOs.

Pharmacists have important responsibilities in creating, storing, giving out safe medicines, and observing their effects. This opens up worldwide career opportunities for those with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates can work in a variety of fields such as:

  • Medical Facility Pharmacy
  • Pharmacy in Hospitals (Production and Retail)
  • Monitoring the Effects of Medications
  • Committee for Medication Therapy

Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates can earn from Rs.25000 to Rs.75000 per month as a Pharmacist. Further students can pursue Master’s in Pharmacy after completing their bachelor’s.

Students who have successfully completed the Master of Pharmacy program will specialize and find employment in the following disciplines:

  • Pharmacy Industry
  • Medical Institutions
  • Pharmacy Consultation
  • Government Pharmacies
  • Health Research Organizations
  • Healthcare Facilities

The graduates will have a wide range of areas of practice. Some of them are:

  • Professional Development
  • Pharmaceutical Care
  • Communication Skills
  • Health Psychology
  • Patient Care
  • Drug Discovery and Evaluation

If you are looking for the top Pharmacy colleges in Nepal, then you are at the right place. Keep exploring the list of colleges below and choose the best pharmacy college as required.