Diploma in Pharmacy​

Pharmaceutical sciences encompass the interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and other related disciplines to discover, develop, manufacture, and evaluate drugs and pharmaceutical products. This field encompasses various aspects such as drug design, formulation, delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug safety, aiming to improve the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of medications for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Pharmacy degrees including Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Assistant level) are approved by the Nepal Pharmacy Council (NPC), to ensure that students have received appropriate education for their professional registration and subsequent development and careers. Nepal Pharmacy Council has adopted NPC Guidelines for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Degree Programmes in 2003 and NPC Norms for Establishment of New Pharmacy Degree College for First Year (to start with) and Approval Process of the New College in 2004.

In addition NPC has adopted approval criteria and guidelines for 3 year Diploma Level (Pharmacy Assistant level) colleges in Nepal. There are 21 such colleges under the affiliation of Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). The entry for this level is after the completion of 10 years of formal schooling.

Diploma in Pharmacy is a three year course after SEE. The students after passing the SEE securing a minimum of 45% result in aggregate and willing to seek their future career in the field of pharmacy profession can join the course.

The main objectives of this program are:

1. To prepare a supportive technical human resource for pharmaceutical industry, laboratories and capable manpower for quality control and drug control and rational use of drugs

2. To develop leadership quality in pharmacy professionals who can manage rational supply of pharmaceuticals and to promote rational use of drugs within the health care service and private sector

‘Diploma in Pharmacy’ or ‘DPharm’ program is affiliated to Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). It is a three year program that enable students to develop as a Competent, Leading & Empowered Human Resource in the field of Pharmacy.

Here,

First year focuses on basic science subjects; second year focuses on basic medical science and third year focuses on the professional practice focused courses.

This course aims to produce Pharmacy human resource with technical skills that can face real life situation in professional practice by acquiring and applying knowledge and skills through comprehensive field practices in hospital, community pharmacies, drug industry and regulatory authorities.

Pharmacy as a discipline

Pharmacy is a branch of health science that connects/links medical science with chemistry and is concerned with discovery, production, safe and effective use and control of drugs and medicaments. It is a multidisciplinary program that covers all aspects related to drugs.

Scopes of Pharamcy discipline

After completing a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), individuals have various career opportunities available to them in the pharmaceutical sector. Here are some potential career paths and scopes:

1. Pharmacy Technician/Assistant: D.Pharm graduates can work as pharmacy technicians or assistants in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. They assist pharmacists in dispensing medications, managing inventory, and providing customer service.

2. Hospital Pharmacy: They can work in hospital pharmacies, assisting pharmacists in preparing and dispensing medications to patients, managing medication orders, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

3. Community Pharmacy: D.Pharm graduates can manage or work in community pharmacies, providing medication counseling, conducting health screenings, and promoting public health initiatives.

4. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: They can work as pharmaceutical sales representatives, promoting and selling pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, and hospitals.

5. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: D.Pharm graduates can work in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in roles such as production assistants, quality control technicians, or formulation technicians, involved in drug manufacturing processes and quality assurance.

6. Clinical Research: They can work as clinical research associates or assistants in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or academic institutions, assisting in clinical trials and research studies.

7. Regulatory Affairs: D.Pharm graduates can work in regulatory affairs departments of pharmaceutical companies, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and guidelines for drug development, manufacturing, and marketing.

8. Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management: They can pursue careers in pharmaceutical marketing, product management, or pharmacy management roles, involved in marketing strategies, market research, and business development activities.

9. Further Education: D.Pharm graduates can pursue further education and obtain higher qualifications such as Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) to enhance their career prospects and opportunities for advancement in the pharmaceutical industry or academia.

Overall, completing a Diploma in Pharmacy opens up a diverse range of career options in the pharmaceutical sector, offering opportunities for professional growth and development in various fields related to pharmacy and healthcare.