After completing your +2 in science and when you’re contemplating your future, pharmacy may have come across your mind at least once. It’s a stable profession that has respect attached to it, along with the fact that it’s quite useful and keeps you in touch with the world of health care without making you go through the rigorous journey of MBBS. However, to make sure that you’re able to think ahead of the white coat and a pharmacy license, there’s one important question that must be answered first.

And that’s what we’ll be helping you with. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best pharmacy (B.Pharm) colleges in Nepal along with their admissions procedure and other details.

Why B.Pharm Is a Smart Choice in Nepal

The health-care industry of Nepal is developing steadily; thus, there has been an increase in the need for pharmacists. These include hospitals, pharmacies, drug manufacturing industries, and research organizations, which are looking for qualified professionals regularly. The qualification of a bachelor's in pharmacy will provide an entry into all of these sectors, and within only four years of time, without the need to clear tough medical entrance examinations.

Apart from this, there are flexible options available for pharmacists as well. A number of pharmacists operate their own pharmacy outlets; some work in hospitals, while others have found opportunities in foreign countries like the Gulf States, the UK, and Australia, etc.

Universities Offering B.Pharm in Nepal

Before getting into the individual colleges offering the programs, it is useful to find out who controls them. The B.Pharm program in Nepal is provided by six universities and two health sciences academies, namely:

Tribhuvan University (TU)
Kathmandu University (KU)
Pokhara University (PoU)
Purbanchal University (PU)
Gandaki University (GU)
Manmohan Technical University (MTU)
Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS)
Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences (MBAHS)

In total, the above-mentioned educational establishments control around 30 colleges across Nepal that provide the B.Pharm program.

Best B.Pharm Colleges in Nepal

The following is a brief overview of some of the best B.Pharm colleges in Nepal, according to their affiliation, reputation, and facilities.

1. TU Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj Medical Campus

Maharajgunj Medical Campus is the headquarters of Tribhuvan University and one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes of the nation. The seats are limited due to its high level of prestige and reputation, making it difficult to gain admission.

2. Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS)

It is considered to be among the best pharmacy colleges in Kathmandu because of the structured curriculum, modern labs, and qualified faculty. B.Pharm program offered by Kathmandu University is known to have students interested in research-based education.

3. Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences

Students who are interested in studying outside Kathmandu can enroll in B.A pharm course is offered by Pokhara University, as this university is known for its high-quality education in the field of health sciences along with a comparatively peaceful and affordable environment.

4. Nobel College (Pokhara University)

Being a private college affiliated with Pokhara University, Nobel College is known for its infrastructure and good academic record. It has become popular among students because of the good blend of private and public colleges.

5. Chitwan Medical College

This college of Chitwan is located in Bharatpur and has developed a reputation of becoming one of the most trustworthy ones outside Kathmandu because of its affiliation with a medical college and the early exposure of students to hospitals.

6. National Model College (NIST) and National College (NACOL)

These colleges are situated in Kathmandu and are affiliated with Tribhuvan University and Purbanchal University, respectively. These colleges are recommended to students who wish to pursue their B.Pharm degree at a moderate cost.

7. Universal College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Bhairahawa

Students of western Nepal can consider UCMS in Bhairahawa because of the B.Pharm program offered by this college with TU affiliation and good lab and clinical facilities.

8. Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara

It is a medical college affiliated with Tribhuvan University, situated in Lekhnath, Pokhara. This college provides good clinical exposure to the students who are enrolled in the B.Pharm course.

9. Asian College for Advanced Studies (ACAS), Satdobato, Lalitpur

ACAS is affiliated with Purbanchal University and is often ranked as one of the best private pharmacy colleges in the valley, providing B. Pharm and CTEVT diplomas in pharmacy.

10. Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences / Manmohan Technical University

Manmohan Technical University conducts its own bachelor's degree course in pharmacy, enabling candidates to study at the university instead of affiliated colleges.

11. Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), Jumla

One of the two health science academies allowed to conduct B.Pharm courses in Nepal, KAHS serves as a good option for students of Karnali and adjacent provinces; the institute concentrates primarily on developing services in deprived territories.

12. Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences (MBAHS)

The second health science academy of Nepal, MBAHS, provides a B.Pharm, concentrating on producing pharmacists working in public health service in deprived and rural areas.

B.Pharm Colleges Depending on Their Affiliating University

If none of the colleges listed above is located in your territory, consider these options for B.Pharm colleges divided into affiliating universities.

B.Pharm colleges under Tribhuvan University (TU):

Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu
National Model College (NIST), Naya Bazar, Kathmandu
Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa
Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur
Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara
Matrix College, Birgunj, Parsa

B.Pharm colleges under Kathmandu University (KU):

Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel
College of Medical Sciences (CMS), Bharatpur, Chitwan

Pokhara University Schools (PoU)

Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences
Nobel College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Purbanchal University Schools (PU)

Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang
Little Buddha College of Health Science, Min Bhawan, Kathmandu
Hope International College, Satdobato, Lalitpur
Novel Academy, Pokhara Lekhnath, Kaski
Shree Medical and Technical College, Bharatpur, Chitwan
Kantipur Academy of Health Science, Tinkune, Kathmandu
Valley College of Technical Sciences, Sitapaila, Kathmandu
Asian College for Advanced Studies (ACAS), Satdobato, Lalitpur
Kathmandu Multiple College (previously known as Karnali College of Health Sciences), Gaushala, Kathmandu
National College (NACOL), Kathmandu
Gandaki University (GU) and Manmohan Technical University (MTU)
The two universities conduct the program from the university campus itself rather than an affiliated college, resulting in smaller batches and closer faculty contact.

Health Science Academies

Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), Jumla
Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences (MBAHS)

Entrance Process for a B.Pharm College in Nepal

It's not enough to just choose a college when applying to B.Pharm; there's a process you have to pass before that can happen. The following are the steps for doing that:

Fulfill a +2 qualification in the science stream, either biology or physics/chemistry, as per the specific college requirement.
Appear for the MECEE entrance exam (Medical Education Commission Common Entrance Exam).
Application will be through merit list, with selection of the preferred colleges according to merit.
Document verification and fee payment for confirmation of seat.

Since the result of the MECEE entrance test determines the college and quota in which you get admission, it's necessary to prepare well for that too along with selecting the right college.

B.Pharm Fees in Nepal

It's one of the biggest considerations for families when it comes to higher education, and it's not an unwarranted one either. On average, a four-year course in Nepal costs NRs. 7-8 lakhs, though it may vary largely depending on whether it's a public or private institution and whether you're getting any scholarship or reservation quota (Adivasi/Janajati, Madhesi, Dalit, Muslim, Tharu, etc.) as per MEC guidelines.

Generally, government/quota seats in public institutions are far cheaper than the full-fee seats in private institutions.

Career Scope After B.Pharm

After getting your degree, some of the scopes in the pharmacy sector can be listed as follows:

Hospital Pharmacy—doing work as a pharmacy professional in the hospital pharmacy department, focusing on the dispensation of medicines along with counseling.
Community Pharmacy—running a pharmacy or working in any retail pharmacy, one of the most popular career routes in Nepal.
Pharmaceutical Industry—joining the pharmaceutical industry as a professional in the fields of quality control, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs.
Drug Regulation—joining the regulatory agencies as a professional to look after the regulation and safety of drugs.
Academics and Research—doing teaching or higher study courses like M.Pharm, PharmD, or other research-based postgraduate study.
Career Overseas – taking licensing exams and building a career abroad in case you want to join foreign countries.

Final Thoughts

In choosing between the best pharmacy (B.Pharm) colleges in Nepal, there must be three factors you need to balance out, i.e., your MECEE marks, your financial capacity, and whether you want a college in your hometown or Kathmandu/Pokhara. So there is no perfect college in Nepal, but the one that fits your needs.

Whatever college you select, remember that your B. Pharm degree will only serve as a platform but what you will do in terms of getting clinical exposure, internships, and licensing exams later will define your career rather than the name of the college.

FAQs

Which is the best B.Pharm college in Nepal?

No specific college exists as the 'best,' but TU Maharajgunj Medical Campus and KUSMS hold prime positions in the country, while other good colleges such as Nobel College, Chitwan Medical College, and NIST can provide alternative choices based on MECEE scores and budgets.

Is MECEE mandatory for admission to the B.Pharm course in Nepal?

Yes, MECEE (Medical Education Commission Common Entrance Exam) is the standardized entrance examination for all B.Pharm programs in Nepal.

How much is the total fee for the B.Pharm course in Nepal?

It will be somewhere around NRs 7–8 lakhs for the entire course of four years.

What can I do after getting my B.Pharm degree in Nepal?

Pharmacists can get into hospitals or community pharmacies, enter pharmaceutical industries or drug regulatory boards, get into teaching, or pursue M.Pharm or PharmD.