The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Nepal has been a pioneer in health professions education for the last three decades. With a commitment to producing skilled Human Resources for Health (HRH) according to the nation’s changing needs, IOM launched the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program in 2000 AD (2057 BS). This move was in response to the country’s growing demand for high-quality pharmacy professionals, in line with the National Drug Policy of 1995 and regional-level policies to enhance pharmaceutical education.

National Model College for Advanced Learning (NMCAL), established in 2007 AD, operates under the NIST Foundation and is affiliated with IOM, Tribhuvan University. NMCAL has been offering the Bachelor of Pharmacy program since its inception, aiming to produce globally competent pharmacists. This 4-year course is designed to cultivate expertise in drug-related fields such as manufacturing, compounding, dispensing, and rational drug use counseling. Pharmacists, who form a crucial part of the Patient-Pharmacist-Physician triad, play a pivotal role in medication management and therapy. They possess comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of medicines, including mechanisms of action, uses, preparation, storage, interactions, adverse effects, and drug formulation quality control.

The program’s multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on research-oriented subjects, is geared towards meeting the demands of the field and producing capable professionals who bridge the gap between health sciences and the molecular realm.