Pharmacovigilance: Course, Fees, Top Colleges, Career Scope
The increasing need for patient safety and the safe use of medicines has led to the rise of Pharmacovigilance within the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharmacovigilance deals with the science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or other drug-related problems.
For students and professionals who are in life sciences, pharmacy, or healthcare, enrolling in a Pharmacovigilance course in India can offer valuable career prospects in a growing global market. This blog outlines the types of Pharmacovigilance courses, associated fees, leading colleges, and the scope of careers.
What is Pharmacovigilance?
Pharmacovigilance refers to the systematic process of collecting, monitoring, evaluating, and preventing adverse effects of pharmaceutical products. The objective is to improve patient care and ensure the benefits of drugs outweigh the risks. It includes monitoring side effects, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and assessing real-world usage of medications.
Types of Pharmacovigilance
There are 5 types of Pharmacovigilance. Each type serves a unique purpose in evaluating drug safety throughout the product life cycle. Understanding the types of Pharmacovigilance helps you in identifying suitable career paths and specializations:
- Passive Surveillance – Monitoring through spontaneous adverse event reports.
- Active Surveillance – Structured follow-up with patients or healthcare providers.
- Targeted Clinical Investigations – These are Research studies designed to analyze specific adverse effects.
- Spontaneous Reporting – Voluntary submissions from healthcare professionals or patients.
- Intensive Monitoring – Observational studies conducted during the post-marketing phase.
Types of Pharmacovigilance Courses Available in India
1. Certificate Course in Pharmacovigilance
The Certificate Course in Pharmacovigilance is a short-term course. This course is intended to provide knowledge in Pharmacovigilance to suitable or recent graduates and other professionals who are aiming for entry level roles in Pharmacovigilance. The course duration varies from 3 months to 6 months. Below given table provides information on colleges offering this course with its eligibility criteria, fees, and duration.
| College Name | Location | Eligibility | Pharmacovigilance course fees
| Duration |
| Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI) | Mumbai and Bengaluru | BSc, B.Pharm, BDS | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 | 3 to 6 months |
| Bioinformatics Institute of India (BII) | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Life Sciences Graduates | ₹8,000 | 3 to 6 months |
| Gujarat Technological University (GTU) | Ahmedabad | Graduation in Pharmacy or Medical field | ₹10,000 | 3 months |
| Cliniminds | Delhi NCR, Mumbai | Graduation in Pharmacy or Medical field | ₹30,000 – ₹60,000 | 6 months |
2. Diploma in Pharmacovigilance
The Diploma in Pharmacovigilance course offer in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge. This course is designed for graduates seeking to enhance their job roles in Pharmacovigilance. The duration of this diploma program is between 6 months to 1 year. The given table depicts the college name, its location, eligibility, fees and duration.
| College Name | Location | Eligibility | Pharmacovigilance course fees | Duration |
| Institute of Good Manufacturing Practices India (IGMPI) | online | Graduates in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, or related fields | ₹30,000 | 6 months |
| Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences | Pune, Maharashtra | Bachelor’s in Science, Pharmacy, or Medicine | ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 | 1 year |
| James Lind Institute | Online/Hyderabad | Bachelor’s in Life Sciences | ₹40,000 – ₹90,000 | 6 to 12 months |
| Global Institute of Health Science (GIHS) | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | BSc, B.Pharm, MBBS or equivalent | ₹35,000 – ₹75,000 | 6 to 12 months |
3. Degree in Pharmacovigilance
The degree in Pharmacovigilance course in India is a full-time undergraduate program that is only designed for students who are solely looking to pursue a Pharmacovigilance career. This postgraduate degree provides advanced scientific and regulatory training, ideal for professionals aiming for senior roles in Pharmacovigilance.
| College / University | Who Can Apply | Course Offered | Duration | Pharmacovigilance course fees |
| Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | B.Pharm, MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc. in Life Sciences | M.Sc. in Pharmacovigilance | 2 Years | ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 Lakhs |
| NIPER (Mohali), Punjab | B.Pharm, M.Pharm, or M.Sc. (Life Sciences/Chemistry) | M.S. (Pharmacy) with Pharmacovigilance focus | 2 Years | ₹1 to ₹1.5 Lakhs |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal, | B.Pharm or graduates from Life Sciences background | M.Sc. or PG Diploma in Pharmacovigilance | 1–2 Years | ₹1.8 to ₹2.5 Lakhs |
| Symbiosis International University Pune, Maharashtra | Pharmacy, Medicine, or Life Sciences graduates | M.Sc. in Clinical Research (Pharmacovigilance Track) | 2 Years | ₹3.5 to ₹4 Lakhs |
| JSS College of Pharmacy, Tamil Nadu | B.Pharm, M.Pharm, or B.Sc. in Life Sciences | PG Diploma / M.Pharm in Pharmacology | 2 Years | ₹2 to ₹3 Lakhs |
| DIPSAR (Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), New Delhi | B.Pharm or equivalent qualification | M.Pharm (Pharmacology / Drug Regulatory Affairs) | 2 Years | ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 Lakhs |
| Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh | B.Pharm, B.Sc. Biotech or Life Sciences graduates | M.Sc. in Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Research | 2 Years | ₹2.5 to ₹3 Lakhs |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Graduates in Pharmacy or relevant Science fields | M.Sc. in Pharmacovigilance | 2 Years | ₹2.5 to ₹3.5 Lakhs |
Pharmacovigilance Course Fees Overview
The fees of a Pharmacovigilance course in India vary on the basis of level of the program and the institution offering this program. These programs offer affordability and flexibility that make them accessible to a wide range of students and professionals.
- Certificate Courses: ₹15,000 to ₹60,000
- Diploma Courses: ₹35,000 to ₹1,00,000
- Degree Courses (B.Pharm with specialization): ₹60,000 to ₹2,00,000 per year
- MSc Programs: ₹1,00,000 to ₹2,80,000 (total for 2 years)
Career Scope in Pharmacovigilance
The scope for trained Pharmacovigilance professionals is vast and increasing due to global regulatory requirements and rising drug approvals. After completion of this course, graduates from Pharmacovigilance courses can work in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), biotech firms, hospitals, and government health agencies and can join as Drug Safety Associates, Medical Reviewers, Pharmacovigilance Scientists, Signal Detection Experts, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Compliance and Quality Assurance Officer.
Also, studying Pharmacovigilance in India can open doors to a rewarding career, offering good pay and opportunities.
Pharmacovigilance Job Roles:
| Pharmacovigilance Job Roles | What You’ll Be Doing |
| Drug Safety Associate | An entry-level role where you process adverse drug reaction reports and learn the basics of Pharmacovigilance. |
| Pharmacovigilance Executive | Handles complete case processing, and safety documentation, and ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines. |
| Work with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) | Join CROs to support clinical trials, post-marketing safety, and global drug surveillance projects. |
| Regulatory Affairs Professional | Assist in preparing and submitting safety data to regulatory authorities across different countries |
| Medical Reviewer / Case Quality Reviewer | Review complex case files, assess drug safety reports, and ensure high-quality data is submitted. |
| Signal Detection Analyst | Analyse large datasets to detect patterns or early warnings of potential drug safety risks. |
| Risk Management Specialist | Create and implement plans to minimize drug risks before and after product launches. |
| Pharmacovigilance Scientist | Conduct literature reviews, write safety reports, and research drug-related risks and outcomes. |
| Government & International Opportunities | Work with CDSCO, WHO, FDA, etc., to support national and global drug safety initiatives. |
Pharmacovigilance Course Salary
The Pharmacovigilance course salary in India depends on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and employer. The below given table depicts the job role and its salary range based on experience.
| Job Role | Salary Range | Experience Level |
| Drug Safety Associate | ₹1,90,000 - ₹4,80,000 per year | Entry-Level |
| Pharmacovigilance Associate | ₹2,30,000 - ₹6,00,000 per year | Entry to Mid-Level |
| Clinical Research Associate | ₹2,50,000 - ₹5,00,000 per year | Entry to Mid-Level |
| Pharmacovigilance Scientist | ₹2,30,000 - ₹9,50,000 per year | Mid to Senior-Level |
| Medical Reviewer | ₹4,50,000 - ₹12,50,000 per year | Senior-Level |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialist | ₹6,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 per year | Mid to Senior-Level |
| Signal Detection Analyst | ₹4,50,000 - ₹8,50,000 per year | Mid-Level |
| Risk Management Specialist | ₹6,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 per year | Senior-Level |
| Pharmacovigilance Manager | ₹10,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 per year | Senior-Level |
To learn more about such courses, visit Docthub
FAQs
1. What is Pharmacovigilance?
Pharmacovigilance is the branch of science that deals with monitoring, assessing, and preventing adverse effects or other safety-related issues related to pharmaceutical products.
2. What is the importance of Pharmacovigilance?
The importance of Pharmacovigilance lies in ensuring drug safety, reducing risks to patients, and supporting regulatory decision-making in healthcare systems.
3. What are the career opportunities after completing a Pharmacovigilance course?
Career opportunities after completing a Pharmacovigilance course include roles in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, hospitals, and regulatory bodies. Common positions include drug safety associate, regulatory affairs executive, and signal detection analyst.
4. What is the difference between an adverse drug reaction (ADR) and an adverse event (AE)?
An ADR is a harmful or unintended response to a medication at normal doses. An AE refers to any negative event during drug use, whether or not it is directly related to the medication.
5. What are the eligibility criteria for enrollment in a Pharmacovigilance course?
The eligibility criteria for enrollment in a Pharmacovigilance course require a graduate degree in pharmacy, medicine, life sciences, or related fields. Some short-term certificate programs are also open to undergraduates and working professionals.
