MBA Pharmaceutical Management: Course Details, Syllabus, Eligibility, Jobs, Salary

An MBA or Master of Business Administration in pharmaceutical management is a postgraduate program specialising in managerial positions in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sector. Here candidates can expect to work in areas related to drug manufacturing, production management, pharmaceutical marketing, brand management etc. 

The MBA course is a blend of health and chemical sciences coupled with management and marketing practices. So students are taught pharmaceutical sciences, production management of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical marketing, brand management, finance, economics, and managerial and marketing skills, all relating to the pharma industry.  

[Also Read: Choosing MBA specialisation]

What Is an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management in India 

A pharmaceutical MBA specialisation is a two-year postgraduate program divided into four semesters. It’s a discipline of management courses concerning the health and chemical sciences to ensure the safe and secure use of pharmaceutical drugs.

Students who wish to work in managerial positions in the pharmaceutical field choose this course. In addition, it also serves as a springboard for students who wish to launch their own pharmaceutical companies. Like most MBA courses, students holding an undergraduate degree from any major are eligible to take up this program.

This course touches on various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, like analysis, consultation, research, sales, administration and distribution, while incorporating managerial skills and business strategies. Besides theory papers, MBA in healthcare management programs are supported by several assignments, presentations, quizzes and internships.

An Overview of MBA Pharmaceutical Management In India:

Parameters	Details
Course Name	MBA In Pharmaceutical Management
Course Level	Postgraduate
Course Duration	2 years
Modes Of Study	Full-time Part-time Online Distance
Eligibility Criteria	Bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for reserved categories)
Admissions Process	Entrance Exam + Group Discussion + Personal Interview
Entrance Exams	CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT, GMAT.
Annual Course Fees	₹1 Lakh - ₹10 Lakh
Top Job Profiles	Biochemist Drug Inspector Sales Managers Market Research Analyst Pharmaceuticals Distributors Consultant and Project Manager Pharmaceutical Purchase Manager
Average Annual Salary	₹8 Lakh Per Annum (₹3 Lakhs - ₹10 Lakhs)
Top Recruiters	Cipla Abbott India Genzyme Dabur India Ltd. Ranbaxy Laboratories Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Eligibility Criteria For MBA in Pharmaceutical Management Programs

Candidates can gain admission to MBA colleges in two ways, merit-based direct admissions or through entrance exams that involve taking one or more of the national levels exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.

• Direct Admission/Merit-based Admission

Direct admissions for colleges that offer pharmaceutical MBA programs start in August and September. Online application forms for almost every entrance exam will be available by the end of August. 

Direct admission works on a first-come, first-serve basis. So candidates must submit their applications to their university of preference as early as possible to secure a seat. The minimum cut-off for all students is 50% in any undergraduate degree from a recognised institution or college. 

Preference will be given to candidates having at least 1 - 3 years of work experience. Furthermore, students can also apply for admissions from the management quota or institute-level quota seats with a minimum aggregate of 50% in their bachelor’s. 

• Entrance-Based Admission

Some of the best MBA pharmaceutical management universities in India require students to participate in entrance exams to gain admission. Therefore, students must take entrance exams like MAT, GMAT, CAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT or ATMA and any other national, state or institute-based entrance exam.

Students should have a minimum aggregate of 50% on their bachelor’s, and prior work experience is not mandatory. Admission chances will depend on your entrance exam scores, and each institute will have its cut-off marks.

Students with cut-off scores are eligible for Group Discussions/Personal Interviews at their preferred institutions. After this, institutes release their list of finalised candidates who must submit the documents necessary to complete their admissions process. 

Popular MBA in Pharmaceutical Management Courses In India 

The best pharmaceutical MBA programs prepare students for business management careers by developing their planning, operational, consultancy, managerial, and problem-solving skills. Here are some prevalent courses that students can expect when pursuing pharmaceutical MBA programs:

• Pharmaceutical Marketing

Commonly referred to as pharma marketing. It refers to online and offline techniques used to draw in new patients or raise awareness of new medications or specific treatments. Pharma marketing can be directed at patients or physicians, depending on the product being marketed.  

• Healthcare Management

Healthcare management involves planning, directing and coordinating nonclinical operations within organisations, healthcare systems, and networks. Healthcare organisations and pharma companies are always looking for professionals for operations management roles to streamline procedures and improve quality while reducing expenses. This course also trains students to provide better, more effective services to clients/patients at a better price point. 

• Drug Store Management

It’s also known as retail pharmacy. This course expands upon the distribution of medications and services to patients or consumers. Furthermore, it also includes examining the quality of raw materials, medical equipment and medications. While looking over supply chain management, the number of drugs/medications on board and the costs associated with bulk purchases. 

• Drugstore and Business Management

This course involves the practicalities of managing drugstores and pharmacies or starting your own pharmaceutical company. It allows students to put their knowledge into practice, emphasising professionalism and understanding the legal requirements needed to open and run a drugstore. 

Furthermore, it teaches students budgeting, product promotion, and inventory management.

• Pharma And Sales Management

Pharma sales, as its name implies, refers to the selling of pharmaceutical products like prescription medications, consumables in any form, surgical instruments and machines and other equipment used in operations. The target demographic here is any physician, pharmacist or buyer in charge of a hospital or pharmacy. 

MBA in Pharmaceutical Management Syllabus For Different Courses

Subjects/Course	Details
Pharmaceutical Marketing Management	Quantitative and qualitative aspects; size and composition of the market Demographic descriptions and socio-psychological characteristics of the consumer Market segmentation & targeting Consumer profile
Healthcare Management	Healthcare Policies and Regulations Organisation of Hospitals Disease Control Management Medical-Legal Issues Quality Assurance Anatomy Physiology Epidemiology Health management
Drug Store Management	Organisation of drug store, types of materials stocked and storage conditions Purchase and inventory control: principles, purchase procedure, purchase order, procurement
Pharma Production Management	Product life cycle, Product portfolio analysis Product positioning; New product decisions Product branding, packaging and labelling decisions
Pharmaceutical Policy, Laws & Regulations	National Regulatory Affairs Drug Approval & International Drug Regulations Modern Analytical Techniques Biostatistics & Computer Applications Drug approval and International Drug Regulations

Conclusion 

Anyone that chooses to pursue an MBA in pharmaceutical management program is bound to have a bright future in the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields. Upon graduation, this course offers a variety of job opportunities on local, national, and international levels.

If you are in the process of looking up suitable MBA colleges, consider colleges powered by Sunstone. Colleges with Sunstone’s benefits offer dedicated placement support programs which help students prepare for prospective job roles, and students get access to hands-on, industry-relevant training. 

FAQ - MBA Pharmaceutical Management 

• Is MBA in pharmaceutical management worth it?

If you’re interested in a career in the healthcare or pharmaceutical sectors, then an MBA in pharmaceutical management would be well worth your time. 

• What is the job role after an MBA in pharmaceutical management?

Pharmaceutical distributor, purchase manager, formulation pharmaceutical technology scientist, sales manager, consultant and project manager, market researcher and analyst are some job roles popular among graduates of this MBA course. 

• Which is better, M.Pharm or MBA in pharmaceutical management?

Candidates who take up MPharm can work in core areas like research within the pharmaceutical field, while candidates with a pharmaceutical MBA can work in managerial areas of the field. It’s up to you which pg course to pursue as both MPharm and MBA in pharmaceutical management lead to different designations despite involving the same sector.