Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)

Diploma in Pharmacy at Nepali Army College of Health Sciences (NACHS)

The Diploma in Pharmacy at Nepali Army College of Health Sciences (NACHS), Bhandarkhal, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, is a three-year technical program designed to prepare pharmacy professionals who can contribute to safe and effective medication use in Nepal’s healthcare system.

Affiliated with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), the course integrates foundational sciences, pharmaceutical knowledge, and practical training in hospital and community settings.

Highlights

• Course Title: Diploma in Pharmacy

• Affiliation: CTEVT (Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training)

• Duration: 3 Years (Annual System)

• Intake Capacity: 40 Students (20 Army Quota, 20 Civil Quota)

• Location: NACHS, Bhandarkhal, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu

• Medium of Instruction: English and/or Nepali

Curriculum Details

First Year

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Social Studies

• Nepali

• English

• Zoology

• Botany

• Mathematics and Statistics

Second Year

• Pharmaceutics-I

• Pharmacology-I

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I

• Pharmacognosy

• Biochemistry and Microbiology

• Pharmacotherapeutics-I

• Pharmaceutical Management

• Public Health Pharmacy

Third Year

• Pharmaceutics-II

• Pharmacology-II

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II

• Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy

• Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence and Community Pharmacy Practice

• Pharmacotherapeutics-II

• Pharmaceutical Management

• Comprehensive Field Practice

Objectives

This program aims to:

• Prepare competent middle-level pharmacy professionals for hospital and community services

• Enable students to provide accurate guidance on medication usage, dosage, and side effects

• Equip students to assess prescriptions, suggest corrections, and ensure rational drug use

• Develop the capacity to produce, prepare, store, and distribute quality pharmaceutical products

• Promote legal and ethical practices in pharmacy settings

• Encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional accountability

Scope

Diploma holders in Pharmacy are qualified for employment in:

• Hospitals and health posts

• Community pharmacies

• Pharmaceutical industries

• Academic institutions

• Research and regulatory sectors

• NGOs/INGOs

They are eligible for registration with the Nepal Pharmacy Council and may pursue further studies such as BPharm or Public Health degrees.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Interpret and validate prescriptions for accuracy

• Dispense medicines with appropriate counseling

• Identify drug interactions, contraindications, and side effects

• Prepare and maintain pharmaceutical records

• Adhere to ethical standards and regulatory frameworks

• Deliver public health pharmacy services

Skill Development Modules

• Drug formulation and compounding

• Inventory and store management

• Legal compliance and ethics

• Patient communication and counseling

• Field training in hospital and rural pharmacy services

Teaching Methodology

• Illustrated lectures and group discussions

• Practical demonstrations and supervised exercises

• Hospital-based clinical training

• Community-based pharmacy exposure

• Presentation, documentation, and project work

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have passed SEE/SLC with GPA ≥2.0 and minimum C grade in English, Mathematics, and Science

• Submit valid academic and citizenship documents

• Pass the entrance examination conducted by CTEVT

Seat Allocation

Army Quota (Total 20):

• Regular Army Officer: 1 seat (50% discount)

• Regular Army JCO: 1 seat (65% discount)

• Regular Army OR: 2 seats (80% discount)

• Retired Army (all ranks): 3 seats (discount as per rank)

• Heroic death/disabled: 1 seat (100% discount)

• Army TSLC Full Paying: 2 seats

• Reserved Army Full Paying: 10 seats

Civil Quota (Total 20):

• NACHS Full Scholarship: 2 seats

• CTEVT Classified Scholarship: 3 seats

• TSLC Quota: 2 seats

• Foreign Full Paying: 1 seat

• CTEVT Staff or Family: 1 seat

• Target Group Quota: 3 seats

• Full Paying (Open): 8 seats

Disciplinary and Ethical Requirements

• Students must follow code of conduct throughout the academic cycle

• Misconduct, including academic dishonesty, intoxication, or violence, leads to disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion

Attendance Requirements

• Minimum of 90% attendance in each subject is mandatory to appear in the final examination

Evaluation Scheme

Internal Assessment:

• Three assessments in each subject annually

• Practical and theory evaluations

Final Examination:

• Conducted by CTEVT

• Students must pass both theory and practical components

Pass Criteria:

• Minimum 40% in theory

• Minimum 50% in practical

Grading System:

• Distinction: 80% and above

• First Division: 65% to <80%

• Second Division: 50% to <65%

• Pass Division: Below 50%

Re-examination and Completion Timeline

• Students must complete the program within six years from the date of admission

• Final-year students can apply for a chance exam in case of failure in one subject

Certification and Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion, students receive the "Diploma in Pharmacy" accredited by CTEVT. They are eligible to:

• Work in public and private health institutions

• Register with Nepal Pharmacy Council

• Continue higher education in relevant fields

Importance of Pharmacy in the Medical Field

Pharmacy professionals serve as a bridge between patients and treatment. Their roles include:

• Ensuring rational use of medicines

• Supporting drug monitoring and evaluation

• Participating in preventive and screening services

• Delivering counseling and therapeutic support

• Collaborating in multidisciplinary care teams

Faculty Members

Second and Third Year Faculty:

• T/Col Baneera Thapa (Program Coordinator)

• Ms. Nisha Adhikari (Coordinator)

• Mr. Nand Kishor Mahato (Asst. Lecturer)

• Mr. Vivek Shrestha (Asst. Lecturer)

• Ms. Diwa Shrestha (Asst. Lecturer)

Part-time Faculty:

• T/Lt. Col. Dr. Suresh Bastakoti (Lecturer)

• Mr. Dinesh Dhakal (Lecturer)

• T/Maj. Reshma Karki (Lecturer)

• T/Capt. Bobi Shah (Asst. Lecturer)

• T/Lt. Supriya Jha (Asst. Lecturer)

• Mr. Rajesh Kumar Yadav (Asst. Lecturer)

• Mr. Saugat Adhikari (Asst. Lecturer)

• Ms. Asmita Luitel (Demonstrator)

• Ms. Rakshya KC (Demonstrator)

First Year Basic Science Faculty:

• Mr. Amar Gnawali

• Mr. Surat Kumar Puri

• Mr. Gajendra Pd. Chataut

• Mr. Roshan Babu Adhikari

• Mr. Tirtha Raj Bhandari

• Mr. Sailesh Adhikari

• Mr. Shekhar Pokharel

• Mr. Tara Pd. Neupane

• Mrs. Puspa Sharma

Why Choose This Course?

• A recognized qualification in pharmacy under CTEVT

• Structured curriculum aligned with national health needs

• Practice-based learning in hospital and community settings

• Opportunities for further education and employment in Nepal and abroad

Conclusion

The Diploma in Pharmacy at NACHS offers a structured, well-regulated, and meaningful path for students aspiring to enter the healthcare field. With strong academic guidance, practical exposure, and ethical training, graduates are equipped to contribute to improving public health and pharmaceutical services across Nepal.