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M.Sc. MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGY

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

M.Sc. Medical Pharmacology program has been initiated at Era University in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to promote state-of-the-art medical teaching, training and research. This program is designed to mentor students in the field of biomedical specialization so that they can be assets to the medical field.

ELIGIBILITY
  • Candidates who have passed the three years B.Sc. degree course with Zoology and Chemistry as the major subject or B.Sc. in Life Sciences or B.Sc. with Anthropology as major subject or a degree equivalent to the above from any recognized university would be eligible for admission to the program.
  • PROVISION OF LATERAL ENTRY: Admission will be taken directly into 3rd semester of the course which will be opened to those having MBBS/ BDS/ BHMS/ BUMS/ BAMS or B.P.T. qualification from the recognized institute.
COURSE DURATION

The duration of the program is 3 years (six semesters for Regular Students and 4 semesters for Lateral Entry Students). The full term course will comprise of 6 semesters of 6 months each.

  • 6 semesters for regular students.
  • 4 semesters for lateral entry students.
PROVISION OFLATERAL ENTRY

Admission will be taken directly into 3rd semester of the course which will be opened to those having MBBS/ BDS/ BHMS/ BUMS/ BAMS or B.P.T. qualification from the recognized institute.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

THEORY EXAMINATION
Each theory question paper will comprise of long answer questions, short answer questions and brief answer questions maximum marks 80.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
It will be of 100 marks and comprise of Practical exercise and Viva voce.

DISSERTATION
Every student has to complete a dissertation which will comprise of a time bound research study to be conducted under supervision of a faculty from respective department. The maximum duration for dissertation completion shall be of 6 months during the 5th semester. Dissertation report shall be submitted before the commencement of 6th semester. This report will carry maximum of 50 marks.

CAREER PATHWAYS

Post Graduates of this field have a wide range of job opportunities in Government and Private Medical Organizations, Hospitals, Private Clinics, Pharmaceutical Companies, Defence Services, Research Institutes, Colleges / Universities etc.

OVERVIEW OF THE CURRICULUM

FIRST YEAR: SEMESTER – I
ANATOMY
Anatomical Terms, General Anatomy of Muscles, Cartilage, Bones, Joints, Cardiovascular System and Central Nervous System ▪ Pectoral Region, Arm, Forearm, Hand ▪ Shoulder Joint, Elbow Joint, Wrist Joint, Radioulnar Joint ▪ Front of Thigh & Femoral Triangle ▪ Gluteal Region ▪ Back of Thigh & Popliteal Fossa ▪ Leg & Foot ▪ Hip Joint, Knee Joint, Ankle Joint ▪ Thoracic Inlet, Thoracic Wall, Thoracic Outlet ▪ Mediastinum & its Contents, Pericardium & Heart, Pleura & Lungs ▪ Joints of Thorax ▪ Histology of Epithelium, Connective Tissue, Muscle, Bone & Cartilage, Vessels ▪ Histology of Respiratory System & Cardiovascular System ▪ First, Second and Third week of development, Placenta ▪ Development of Respiratory System & Cardiovascular System
Spotting ▪ Viva-voce on Gross Anatomy, Surface Anatomy, Radiological Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy and Developmental Anatomy of the concerned part

PHYSIOLOGY
General and Cellular Physiology ▪ Nerve and Muscle Physiology ▪ Blood, Reticulo-Endothelial & Immune System ▪ Respiratory System ▪ Cardiovascular System ▪ Renal System and Fluid Balance ▪ GIT ▪ Nutrition & Metabolism

PRACTICAL
HAEMATOLOGY LAB: Collection of Blood, Microscope ▪ Preparation and Staining of Blood Smear ▪ Identification of Cell ▪ Differential WBC Count ▪ Arneth’s Count ▪ Haemocytometer ▪ Total WBC Count of Blood ▪ Total RBC Count of Blood ▪ Haemoglobin Estimation ▪ Blood Groups ▪ Hemin Crystals ▪ Platelet Count ▪ BT and CT ▪ ESR & PCV (Demonstration) ▪ Osmotic Effects on RBC (Demonstration)

BIOCHEMISTRY
Introduction to Biochemistry ▪ Cell Biology & Transport ▪ Overview of the Chemistry of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids & Nucleo-Proteins ▪ Enzymes ▪ Vitamins ▪ Hemoglobin ▪ Hormones ▪ Xenobiotic ▪ Basic Immunology ▪ Food & Nutrition

PRACTICAL
Carbohydrate ▪ Protein ▪ Urine

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS
Research Methodology (Foundation, Basic Concepts, Principles & Definitions) ▪ Design of Experiments (Lab & Animal) ▪ Concepts of Clinical Trials, Epidemiology Studies ▪ Probability & Non-Probability Sampling Methods, Sample Size Determination

FIRST YEAR: SEMESTER – II

ANATOMY
The Anterior Abdominal Wall ▪ Inguinal Canal: Boundaries & its contents ▪ Peritoneum ▪ Abdominal Cavity & Abdominal Viscera ▪ Posterior Abdominal Wall ▪ Pelvis & Perineum, Pelvic Viscera, Joints of Pelvis ▪ Scalp, Face, Posterior Triangle, Anterior Triangle of Neck, Parotid Region, Temporal & Infratemporal Regions, Submandibular Region & Submandibular Gland, Meninges, Orbit, Deep Structures of Neck - Thyroid Gland, Root of Neck & Cranial Nerves, Pharynx, Larynx, Tongue, Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses & Ear ▪ Spinal Cord, Brainstem, Cerebrum

PRACTICAL
Spotting ▪ Viva-voce on Gross Anatomy, Surface Anatomy, Radiological Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy & Developmental Anatomy of the concerned part

PHYSIOLOGY
Endocrines ▪ Reproductive System ▪ Growth, Development & Genetics ▪ Integumentary System ▪ Autonomic Nervous System ▪ Central Nervous System ▪ Special Senses

PRACTICAL
HUMAN LAB: BMI, Pulse and General Examination ▪ Examination of Respiratory System ▪ Examination of Abdomen ▪ CVS Examination ▪ Lung Volumes, Capacities ▪ Effect of Deglutition, Coughing, Sneezing, Hyperventilation & Breath Holding on Respiration ▪ Determination of BP, Effect of Posture & Exercise on BP, Pulse Rate & Respiratory Rate ▪ Recording of ECG ▪ Examination of I to XII Cranial Nerve ▪ Examination of Motor, Sensory Nervous System & Reflexes

DEMONSTRATIONS: Demonstration of Pulse & BP ▪ Demonstration of Cardio-Respiratory adjustment during exercise

BIOCHEMISTRY
General Aspects of Metabolism ▪ Intermediary Metabolism of Carbohydrates ▪ Overview of Lipid Metabolism ▪ Overview of Protein & Amino Acid Metabolism ▪ Disposal of Nitrogen - Urea Cycle ▪ Synthesis & Breakdown of Hemoglobin ▪ Purines & Pyrimidines ▪ Overview of Metabolism of Minerals and Trace Elements ▪ Basic Concepts of Hepatobiliary, Thyroid, Adrenocortical & Medullary Pancreatic Function Tests ▪ Elementary knowledge of Molecular Biology ▪ Cancer ▪ Free Radical & Antioxidants

PRACTICAL
Colorimetry ▪ Blood Glucose ▪ Centrifuge, Electrophoresis ▪ Total Serum Cholesterol ▪ Blood Urea ▪ Serum Bilirubin ▪ Serum Calcium ▪ Serum Alkaline Phosphatase ▪ Serum Creatinine

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS
Descriptive and Summary Statistics ▪ Elements of Demography, Fertility & Mortality indicators ▪ Statistical Inference and Hypothesis testing and tests of significance
SECOND YEAR: SEMESTER-III
Definition Nature & Sources of Drugs Dosage Forms: Drug Nomenclature ▪ Dosage Forms - Oral, Parenteral, Topical & Others ▪ Routes of drug administration, setting up of an intravenous drip ▪ Pharmacokinetics I: Absorption ▪ Distribution ▪ Biotransformation ▪ Elimination ▪ Therapeutic Drug Monitoring ▪ Pharmacodynamics & Factors Modifying Dose of a Drug: Pharmacodynamics I ▪ Pharmacodynamics II ▪ Factors modifying Dose of a Drug ▪Adverse Drug Reactions; ADR Monitoring ▪ Pharmacovigilance ▪ Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology: Drug Interactions, Phases of drug development, Generic name, trade name. Fixed dose combinations. Rational Drug concept : P Drugs, Essential drugs, Evidence based Medicine ▪ Drug development and Basics of Clinical Trials ▪ Pharmacogenetics : Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine ▪ Wonder Discoveries in Pharmacology ▪ Toxicology: General principles of treatment of poisoning including snake bite and animal stings. Heavy metal poisoning and heavy metal antagonists.

SYSTEMIC PHARMACOLOGY
Autonomic Nervous System: Adrenergic drugs and its antagonists, Cholinergic drugs and its antagonists ▪ Drugs for GlaucomaAutacoids: Histamine, Serotonin, Prostaglandins and NSAIDs, Pharmacotherapy of migraine, Pharmacotherapy of Gout and Rhematoid Arthritis, Complimentary Alternative Medicine

PRACTICAL
General Principles of Pharmacy ▪ Preparation & Dispensing of Powders, Emulsion Ointments, Mixtures, Liniments, Suppositories & Syrups ▪ Spotting Exercise – Identifying commonly used items in Pharmacology ▪ Exercise on Drug Interactions ▪ Essential Drug List ▪ ADR Form filling and entry in vigiflow ▪ Critical Appraisal of Drug Promotional Literature ▪ Selection of P drug ▪ Prescription Writing, Prescription Auditing

SECOND YEAR: SEMESTER-IV

SYSTEMIC PHARMACOLOGY
Drugs Affecting Respiratory System: Drugs for Cough, Drugs for Bronchial asthma ▪ Hormones and Related Drugs: Pituitary Hormones, Thyroid Drugs, Drugs for Diabetes, Corticosteroids, Androgens, Female Sex Hormones, Drugs acting on Uterus, Drugs Affecting Calcium Balance

EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY, BIOASSAY
Experimental Methodologies involved in the Discovery of Drugs (in vivo, in vitro, ex vivo) ▪ Common Laboratory Animals ▪ Standard Drugs & Salt Solutions ▪ Animal Handling & Animal Care ▪ Methods of Anaesthetizing Animals & Methods of Euthanasia ▪ Restraining & Blood Collecting Methods ▪ Drugs acting on Peripheral Nervous system (PNS): Skeletal muscle Relaxants, Local Anesthetics ▪ Central Nervous System: General Anesthetics, Alcohols, Sedative Hypnotics, Drugs for Epilepsy, Drugs for Parkinsonism, Antipsychotic & Antimanic Drugs, Antidepressants & Antianxiety, Opoid Analgesics, CNS Stimulants, Drugs for Alzeihmers Disease

Drug Screening Methods involved in the evaluation of anti-ulcer, antidepressant, anti-anginal, antihypertensive, anti-arrhythmic, anti-diabetic, anti-cataract, anti-platelet, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, antiepileptic, analgesic, anti-thyroid, antipyretic, anti-glaucoma, anti-hyperlipidemic anti-asthmatics drugs and cough suppressants

PRACTICAL
Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Morphine using Tail Flick Latency Test & Eddy’s Hot Plate Method ▪ Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents on Caraagennian Induced Rat Paw Edema ▪ Effect of Autonomic Drugs on Rabbit Eye ▪ Effect of Sedatives & Skeletal Muscle Relaxants on Rodents (rotarod test) ▪ Prescription Writing for Common Diseases ▪ Audit a Given Prescription ▪ ADR Form filling & Entry in Vigiflow ▪ Criticize & Evaluate Pharmaceutical Company’s Literature ▪ Interpret Graphs & Charts of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology

THIRD YEAR: SEMESTER-V

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Drugs affecting RAS system, Drugs for Heart Failure, Drugs for Angina, Drugs for Arrhythmias, Drugs for Hypertension ▪ Drugs affecting kidney function: Diuretics, Antidiuretics
EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY, BIOASSAY
Drug Screening Methods used in screening antifungal, anti-helminthic, antibacterial, antiviral agents, drugs for heart failure, posterior pituitary, adrenal steroid (gluco & mineralo corticoids), testicular, parathyroid, ovarian, thyroid hormones ▪ Toxicity studies and Methods involved in testing teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and organ toxicities in animals ▪ Alternatives to animal experimentation

DRUGS ACTING ON BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING ORGANS
Hematinics, Drugs affecting Coagulation /Bleeding, Hypolipidemic Drugs

DRUGS ACTING ON GIT
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer, Antiemetics & Prokinetics, Drugs for Constipation & Diarrhea

INSTRUMENTATION IN DRUG ANALYSIS: Qualitative Testing. Beer and Lambert’s law ▪ Basis and working principle of colorimeter, ultraviolet, atomic absorption spectrometers, Fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR and Mass Spectroscopy ▪ Basics of Chromatography. Partition, adsorption and ion exchange chromatography. Column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, paper chromatography, immune-absorbant chromatography, high performance thin layer Chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas Chromatography ▪ Radio immunoassay

PRACTICAL
Prescription Writing for Common Diseases in the Proper Format ▪ Audit a Given Prescription ▪ ADR Form filling and entry in vigiflow ▪ Criticize & Evaluate Pharmaceutical Company’s Literature ▪ Effect of Autonomic Drugs on Rabbit Intestine on CAL ▪ Interpret graphs & charts of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology

THIRD YEAR: SEMESTER-VI
CHEMOTHERAPY OF MICROBIAL DISEASES
General Consideration ▪ Sulphonamides, Cotrimoxazole, Quinolones ▪ Beta lactam ▪ Broad spectrum ▪ Aminoglycosies ▪ Newer antimicrobials ▪ Urinary antiseptics ▪ Anti-TB, Leprosy ▪ Antifungal ▪ Antiviral ▪ Antimalarial ▪ Antiamoebic, Antiprotozoal ▪ Antihelminthic

BIOSTATISTICS
Calculation of basic statistical parameters (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, standard error etc.) ▪ Null hypothesis, parametric and non parametric tests (Student t test, Wilcoxon, ANOVA etc.) ▪ Meta-analysis

DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Methods involved in the development of new drugs ▪ Preclinical toxicological studies ▪ High throughput screening

Anticancer Agents▪ Immunomodulators ▪ Vitamins (water soluble and fat soluble vitamins) ▪ Heavy metals and Chelating Agents ▪ Ocular & Dermato-Pharmacology ▪ Recent developments in Pharmacology ▪ Free Radical Biology & Antioxidants

RECENT ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY

DRUG REGULATIONS: Drugs and Cosmetics Act ▪ Application for Investigational New Drug (IND) ▪ Application for New Drug Discovery (NDD) according to Indian Control Authority & USFDA guidelines ▪ Ethical considerations in utilizing human subjects for drug discovery process. Helsinki’s declaration. ICH-GCP Guidelines ▪ GCP, GLP guidelines ▪ SOPs

PRACTICAL
Prescription writing for common diseases in the proper format ▪ Audit a given prescription ▪ ADR Form filling and entry in vigiflow ▪ Criticize & evaluate pharmaceutical company’s literature ▪ Effect of autonomic drugs on rabbit intestine on CAL ▪ Effect of Histamine on Guinea pig ileum ▪ Interpret graphs & charts of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology