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M-PHARM in Pharmacy Practice at SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Pharmacy Practice at SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chengalpattu?
This Pharmacy Practice program at SRM Institute of Science and Technology focuses on optimizing patient medication outcomes through clinical expertise and direct patient care. In the rapidly evolving Indian healthcare landscape, there is a significant demand for clinical pharmacists who can contribute to rational drug use, medication safety, and patient education. This program emphasizes a patient-centric approach, integrating scientific knowledge with practical skills essential for modern pharmacy roles in India.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates seeking to specialize in direct patient care, hospital, and community pharmacy settings. It also caters to aspiring clinical pharmacists, pharmacovigilance professionals, and those interested in public health initiatives. Professionals already in the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare who wish to transition into advanced clinical roles or enhance their patient interaction skills will find this program highly beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including clinical pharmacists in hospitals, community pharmacists, pharmacovigilance specialists, drug information specialists, and academics. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3.5 to 6 LPA, with experienced professionals earning upwards of INR 10-15 LPA. The program prepares students for roles in both government and private healthcare sectors, aligning with growing national health programs and pharmacy practice standards.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Engage Actively in Clinical Discussions and Case Studies- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in clinical discussions and case study analyses, both in practical sessions and in self-study groups. Focus on understanding the pharmacotherapy of common disease states, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions. Regularly read clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed journals.
Tools & Resources
UpToDate, PubMed, Indian Pharmacopoeia, standard clinical pharmacy textbooks, institutional library resources
Career Connection
Builds strong foundational knowledge in patient care and critical thinking, essential for clinical roles and effective drug information services, preparing for hospital pharmacy interviews.
Develop Strong Communication and Counseling Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Practice patient counseling techniques through role-playing exercises and mock sessions. Focus on explaining medication use, side effects, and adherence strategies clearly and empathetically. Seek feedback from faculty and peers to refine communication skills.
Tools & Resources
Communication workshops, patient counseling guidelines, simulated patient encounters, online videos demonstrating effective patient communication
Career Connection
Enhances direct patient interaction abilities, a core competency for community and hospital pharmacists, improving readiness for patient-facing roles and professional presentations.
Master Research Methodology and Biostatistics Application- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to the Research Methodology and Biostatistics course. Actively apply statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, OpenEpi) to analyze datasets and interpret results. Proactively identify potential research questions in pharmacy practice for future projects.
Tools & Resources
SPSS/R/OpenEpi software, NPTEL courses on biostatistics, research journals like Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, institutional research guides
Career Connection
Provides essential skills for evidence-based practice, project work, and potential research careers in pharmacovigilance or academia, crucial for dissertation success.
Intermediate Stage
Initiate and Plan Dissertation Research with Clinical Relevance- (Semester 3)
In Semester 3, dedicate significant effort to selecting a research topic that addresses a real-world clinical problem in the Indian context. Develop a robust research protocol, meticulously review literature, and ensure ethical approvals are in place. Collaborate with clinical mentors.
Tools & Resources
Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines, research proposal templates, Zotero/Mendeley for reference management, clinical mentors from affiliated hospitals
Career Connection
Develops independent research capabilities, critical for M.Pharm dissertation completion and contributing to evidence-based practice, a key requirement for advanced roles and academic pursuits.
Maximize Exposure in Institutional Practice Rotations- (Semester 3)
Actively participate in all institutional practice rotations. Seek opportunities to shadow clinical pharmacists, engage in ward rounds, and contribute to drug and therapeutics committee meetings. Proactively ask questions and document learning experiences for future reference.
Tools & Resources
Hospital pharmacy manuals, drug information handbooks, mentor guidance, daily logbook for tracking activities and learning
Career Connection
Gathers invaluable practical experience in diverse clinical settings, enhancing clinical decision-making skills and building a professional network within the healthcare sector for placements.
Attend and Present at National/Regional Conferences- (Semester 3)
Attend relevant pharmacy practice conferences or workshops organized by professional bodies like Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) or Association of Hospital Pharmacists of India (AHPI). Seek opportunities to present preliminary research findings or case studies.
Tools & Resources
Conference websites, university funding for travel/registration, presentation software, mentorship for abstract submission
Career Connection
Expands professional network, provides exposure to current trends and research, and hones presentation skills, crucial for career advancement and academic visibility.
Advanced Stage
Focus on High-Quality Dissertation Completion and Publication- (Semester 4)
Dedicate the final semester to rigorous data analysis, meticulous thesis writing, and preparation of a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Seek extensive feedback from supervisors and refine the work for both academic defense and potential publication.
Tools & Resources
Statistical software, academic writing guides, plagiarism checkers (e.g., Turnitin), journal submission guidelines, peer review feedback
Career Connection
A strong dissertation and potential publication significantly enhance employability and academic credibility, opening doors to research roles and further studies.
Develop Interview Skills and Professional Portfolio- (Semester 4)
Actively prepare for job interviews by researching potential employers (hospitals, pharma companies, CROs in India). Create a comprehensive professional portfolio showcasing academic achievements, practical experiences, and research work. Participate in mock interviews and career counseling sessions.
Tools & Resources
Career services center, LinkedIn, professional networking events, resume/CV builders, mock interview platforms
Career Connection
Ensures readiness for the job market, significantly improving chances of securing desired positions in clinical, hospital, or industry settings immediately after graduation.
Engage in Continuous Professional Development and Certification- (Semester 4)
Identify relevant certifications (e.g., advanced cardiac life support, specific therapeutic area certifications) or workshops that complement the M.Pharm specialization. Continuously update knowledge by following industry news, professional guidelines, and regulatory changes in India.
Tools & Resources
Online learning platforms (e.g., NPTEL, Coursera for healthcare courses), professional pharmacy organizations (IPA, AHPI), industry webinars, advanced clinical practice guidelines
Career Connection
Positions graduates as lifelong learners and highly skilled professionals, increasing long-term career growth potential and adaptability in the dynamic Indian healthcare sector.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.Pharm Degree with 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST candidates) from a PCI approved institution.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 95 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107PP101J | Clinical Pharmacy Practice | Core | 4 | Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Drug Information and Poison Information, Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring, Medication Therapy Management, Patient Counseling, Pharmacy Practice Regulations |
| 107PP102J | Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology, Measures of Disease Frequency, Drug Utilization Research, Pharmacoeconomic Principles, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Quality of Life Studies |
| 107RM103J | Research Methodology and Biostatistics | Core | 4 | Research Design, Data Collection and Management, Hypothesis Testing, Parametric and Non-parametric Tests, Regression and Correlation, Scientific Report Writing |
| 107PP104J | Hospital and Community Pharmacy | Core | 4 | Hospital Pharmacy Organization, Drug Procurement and Inventory Control, Dispensing Prescriptions, Rational Drug Use, Community Pharmacy Services, Patient Education |
| 107PP105J | Hospital and Community Pharmacy Practical | Practical | 2 | Drug information retrieval, Patient profile analysis, Medication charts review, Dispensing and labeling exercises, Patient counseling scenarios, ADR reporting |
| 107PP106J | Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Practical | Practical | 2 | Study design and protocol writing, Data analysis using statistical software, Drug utilization review, Cost-of-illness calculations, Quality adjusted life years estimation, Literature review for pharmacoeconomic studies |
| 107PP107J | Seminar | Practical | 1 | Topic selection and literature search, Abstract writing, Oral presentation skills, Scientific discussion, Use of visual aids, Time management for presentations |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107PP201J | Advanced Clinical Practice | Core | 4 | Pharmacotherapy in Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus Management, Renal and Hepatic Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Critical Care Pharmacy, Geriatric and Pediatric Pharmacotherapy |
| 107PP202J | Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics | Core | 4 | Drug Absorption and Distribution, Drug Metabolism and Excretion, Bioavailability and Bioequivalence, Pharmacokinetic Models, Population Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring |
| 107PP203J | Pharmaceutical Management | Core | 4 | Marketing Management in Pharma, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Production and Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Regulatory Compliance |
| 107E002 | Public Health and Disease Management | Elective | 4 | Principles of Public Health, Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Health Education and Promotion, National Health Programs, Disaster Management |
| 107PP205J | Advanced Clinical Practice Practical | Practical | 2 | Clinical case presentations, Ward round participation, Drug interaction assessment, Therapeutic regimen review, Pharmacovigilance activities, Patient education counseling |
| 107PP206J | Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Practical | Practical | 2 | Pharmacokinetic data analysis, Bioequivalence study design, Drug interaction simulations, Compartmental analysis, Dose adjustment calculations, Software for PK analysis |
| 107PP207J | Seminar and Journal Club | Practical | 1 | Critical appraisal of research articles, Presentation of journal articles, Discussion of research methodologies, Ethical considerations in research, Trend analysis in pharmacy practice, Peer review process |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107PP301J | Project Work and Dissertation - Phase I | Project | 15 | Research question formulation, Extensive literature review, Protocol development and design, Data collection strategies, Ethical approval process, Interim report writing |
| 107PP302J | Institutional Practice | Practical | 4 | Clinical rotations in various departments, Participation in pharmacy committees, Drug and therapeutics committee involvement, Medication safety initiatives, Quality assurance in pharmacy, Professional skill development |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107PP401J | Project Work and Dissertation - Phase II | Project | 34 | Advanced data analysis and interpretation, Thesis writing and structuring, Manuscript preparation for publication, Presentation of research findings, Viva-voce examination, Defense of dissertation |
