Faculty of Pharmacy

The Faculty of Pharmacy of the Yerevan Medical Institute was established in 1972. It has made a significant contribution to providing Armenia’s pharmaceutical sector with highly qualified professionals. Prior to the faculty’s establishment, only specialists with secondary vocational education were trained in the republic, and young Armenians seeking higher pharmaceutical education primarily traveled to Russia, studying at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Institute or the Pyatigorsk Pharmaceutical Institute. The undeniable contribution to the founding of the faculty belongs to E.S. Gabrielyan, who served as Rector of the Yerevan Medical Institute at the time.

The academic staff of the faculty’s specialized departments was recruited from the medical university’s own personnel, as well as from relevant specialists at other higher educational institutions in the republic and promising young graduates who had received higher pharmaceutical education in Moscow and Pyatigorsk.

In 1977, the first 25 pharmacist (provisor) graduates completed their studies at the faculty. From its inception until 1998, the faculty operated under the joint administration of the Pediatric-Pharmaceutical, Sanitary-Hygienic-Pharmaceutical, and Stomatological-Pharmaceutical Dean’s Offices. During those years, the faculty was led by Assoc. Prof. L.Kh. Manukyan, Assoc. Prof. J.Gh. Gevorgyan, Assoc. Prof. I.B. Azizyan, Assoc. Prof. Sh.A. Kosyan, Assoc. Prof. A.T. Tadevosyan, Assoc. Prof. A.Dz. Hambardzumyan, and Assoc. Prof. A.D. Qanqayan. In 1999, the faculty established its own independent Dean’s Office, with Bagrat Yenoqyan serving as its first Dean. From 2000 to 2011, Hasmik Hasratyan was elected Dean of the faculty. Since 2011 to the present, Bagrat Yenoqyan has served as Dean of the faculty.

Students at the Faculty of Pharmacy receive foundational education in the field of Pharmacy, delivered through Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.

Instruction at the Faculty of Pharmacy is conducted in Armenian, Russian, and English. The faculty enrolls both local and international students.

The faculty collaborates with pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and scientific research institutes throughout the republic.

Thousands of the faculty’s graduates are employed both within Armenia and abroad.

Beginning with the 2006–2007 academic year, the faculty transitioned to a two-tier higher education system comprising Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In 2010, the faculty graduated its first Bachelor’s degree recipients, followed by Master’s degree graduates in 2012.

Field of Study: Pharmacy
Qualification: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 years

The vision of this educational program is to establish a recognized and trusted academic environment, both within the Republic of Armenia and internationally, that prepares well-rounded, knowledgeable, competitive, and professional specialists holding a Bachelor of Pharmacy qualification in the field of Pharmacy. These graduates will possess comprehensive theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical values, enabling them to integrate effectively into local and international healthcare labor markets and to continue their education at the next academic level.

The academic year consists of 8 semesters, each carrying a workload of 30 ECTS credits. The annual workload amounts to 60 ECTS credits, with one credit equivalent to 30 academic hours. The curriculum includes both mandatory and elective courses, including professionally oriented disciplines. The educational process is carried out at university buildings, university clinics, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and research institutions.

1st Year
General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medical Biology, Higher Mathematics, Computer Literacy, Medical and Biological Physics, Normal Physiology with Fundamentals of Anatomy and Histology, Latin Language, Foreign Language (English), Armenian Civilization, Medical and Pharmaceutical Terminology, First Aid with Clinical Skills, Academic Armenian, History of Pharmacy, Military Medicine — General Military Training (GMT), Physical Education, Integrated Module: Introduction to Pharmacy, Physicochemical Methods of Molecular Structure Determination (elective), Parasitology (elective), Foreign Language: Russian (elective), Foreign Language: French (elective), Foreign Language: German (elective), Foreign Language: Spanish (elective).

2nd Year
Physical and Colloidal Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical Psychology, Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, Normal Physiology with Fundamentals of Anatomy and Histology, Organization of Medical Supply Personnel (OMSP).
Practical Training in Botany.

3rd Year
Pathology, Healthcare Law.
Professional Courses: Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Management and Economics.
Industrial Practical Training in Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Pharmacognosy.

4th Year
Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology, Standardization of Herbal Raw Materials, Emergency Medicine, Hygiene and Ecology, Toxicology.
Professional Courses: Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Toxicological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Management and Economics.
Industrial Practical Training in Pharmaceutical Management and Economics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Drug Technology.

The learning outcomes of the educational program are based on the program’s goals and objectives, the specific characteristics of the field, and the accreditation standards for educational programs in higher education institutions. These outcomes are as follows:

1. Demonstrate fundamental professional theoretical and practical advanced knowledge and critical understanding in the field of pharmacy.
2. Apply professional knowledge and skills at the stages of drug development, production, storage, distribution, dispensing, and use, in compliance with standard documentation requirements and safety regulations.
3. Apply quality assurance principles in the production, storage, distribution, preservation, and use of medicines, pharmaceutical raw materials, and pharmaceutical products.
4. Conduct market analysis regarding the demand for medicines and pharmaceutical products, and plan retail and wholesale distribution.
5. Perform pharmaceutical analysis of medicines, pharmaceutical raw materials, and parapharmaceutical products.
6. Provide informational support to patients, colleagues, physicians, and the public regarding the safe use and storage of medicines and parapharmaceutical products.
7. Conduct research activities in pharmacy and related fields.
8. Analyze and apply academic, scientific, and regulatory literature (using information technologies) for the purposes of professional practice and self-development.
9. Demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, decision-making in standard and non-standard situations, the ability to assume responsibility for team members, and conduct in accordance with ethical standards and appropriate professional behavior.

Upon successful completion of all courses stipulated by the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Pharmacy and full fulfillment of the academic curriculum, students undergo a final state examination designed to assess the theoretical and practical preparedness of the prospective specialist in accordance with the professional competencies defined by the program. Graduates who successfully pass the final examination are awarded a higher education diploma with the qualification of Bachelor of Pharmacy in the field of Pharmacy. A Bachelor of Pharmacy is entitled to continue education at the Master’s level. Holders of the Bachelor of Pharmacy qualification are authorized to pursue professional activities in the field of pharmacy.

Field of Study: Pharmacy
Qualification: Master of Pharmacy
Duration: 1 year

The vision of this educational program is to advance pharmaceutical science by preparing skilled, knowledgeable, independent, and competitive specialists holding a Master of Pharmacy qualification in the field of Pharmacy, within a research-oriented academic environment. Graduates will be capable of integrating effectively into local and international healthcare labor markets and of continuing their education at the next academic level.

Admission to the Master’s program is open to holders of a Bachelor of Pharmacy diploma. The academic year is divided into two semesters, each carrying a workload of 30 ECTS credits, with one credit equivalent to 30 academic hours. Courses taught at the Master’s level are of a more advanced and specialized professional nature, requiring a solid professional background for successful completion.

1st Year
Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, Medical and Pharmaceutical Commodity Science, Medicinal Plant Resource Studies, Phytotherapy, Pharmacokinetics.
Industrial Practical Training in Medicinal Plant Resource Studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the educational program are based on the program’s goals and objectives, the specific characteristics of the field, and the accreditation standards for educational programs in higher education institutions. These outcomes are as follows:

1. Demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and analytical thinking in pharmacy, healthcare, and related fields.
2. Demonstrate the capacity for independent decision-making and practical application of acquired knowledge in the processes of drug development, production, quality assurance and control, registration, and circulation of medicines and pharmaceutical products.
3. Ensure the quality, efficacy, and safety of medicines, pharmaceutical raw materials, and pharmaceutical products through the application of contemporary methods, innovative technologies (including information technologies), and equipment.
4. Apply evidence-based knowledge to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines and pharmaceutical products, in accordance with current national and international requirements for professional practice.
5. In collaboration with professional teams, address the pharmaceutical needs of the public and patients while upholding the standards of professional ethics.
6. Conduct scientific research in pharmacy and related fields, developing the capacity to generate new knowledge, apply it effectively to the resolution of professional challenges, and ensure ongoing professional self-development.

Upon successful completion of all courses stipulated by the Master’s Degree Program in Pharmacy and full fulfillment of the academic curriculum, students undergo a final state examination and defend a Master’s thesis. Graduates who successfully complete this process are awarded a higher education diploma with the qualification of Master of Pharmacy in the field of Pharmacy. A Master of Pharmacy is entitled to conduct independent professional activities in the pharmaceutical field, and may also continue education at the postgraduate (doctoral) level, as well as within systems of continuing professional education and additional (specialized) professional training.

The primary academic and research units of the faculty are its departments. The faculty is governed by the Dean and the Faculty Council.