Programme Details
The Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy is a 2-year programme designed to prepare skilled dispensers for veterinary hospitals, clinics, mobile units, and community health projects. The curriculum covers fundamentals of pharmacology, veterinary dosage forms, species-specific dosing, storage and cold-chain management, prescription processing, drug regulations, inventory control, and client counselling - always under the supervision of a registered veterinarian.
Practical labs and clinical postings build confidence in safe dispensing, basic compounding, and pharmacovigilance while reinforcing animal welfare and ethical practice.
Program Outcomes
- Safe Dispensing: Interpret prescriptions correctly and dispense veterinary medicines and vaccines under veterinary supervision.
- Dosage Calculations: Calculate species- and weight-based doses; understand routes of administration and withdrawal periods.
- Storage & Cold Chain: Maintain temperature logs, manage vaccine/biologic storage, and ensure stock quality.
- Compounding Basics: Prepare simple formulations (ointments, solutions) as permitted; label and package correctly.
- Pharmacovigilance: Record adverse drug reactions and report as guided by the supervising veterinarian.
- Stock & Records: Use inventory systems to manage receipts, expiry control, and audits; maintain pharmacy registers.
- Infection Control: Follow aseptic techniques, waste segregation, needle-stick safety, and biosecurity protocols.
- Client Education: Explain dosage schedules, administration techniques, precautions, and compliance in farmer-friendly language.
- Regulatory & Ethics: Adhere to drug schedules, prescription-only norms, and ethical standards.
- Teamwork & Digital Skills: Coordinate with vets and suppliers; use basic digital tools for e-prescriptions and billing.
Career Pathways
- Veterinary Dispensary/Clinic Pharmacy Assistant
- Store & Procurement Assistant in veterinary hospitals/NGOs/mobile clinics
- Sales/Technical Support Executive (veterinary pharma, biologics, nutraceuticals)
- Inventory & Cold-Chain Coordinator for vaccine/drug distribution
- Entrepreneurship: licensed veterinary medical store (as per prevailing regulations)
Further Education
- D.Pharm/B.Pharm or B.Voc/B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Animal Health (subject to eligibility and university norms)
- Certifications in Pharmacovigilance, Logistics & Supply Chain, Cold-Chain Management
- Advanced short courses in Veterinary Anesthesia Assist, Vaccine Handling, Regulatory Compliance
