13 Pharmaceutical Science Degree Programs in Czech Republic

The Pharmaceutical Sciences study program puts stress especially on study of pharmaceutical disciplines as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacology, natural drugs and drug forms, especially knowledge of pharmaceutical analysis and drug research. It is two years lasting follow-up master program. Specializations are not part of the study program.

Pharmaceutical chemistry provides a comprehensive picture of drugs and chemical substances. Pharmaceutical chemistry is the interdisciplinary science, the bridge between chemical (inorganic and organic chemistry, physical chemistry) and biological disciplines (pharmacognosy, chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology). Understanding of structure-activity relationships of biologically active compounds brings to all graduates of this studies the independent role in all fields of pharma research.

The doctoral program of Pharmaceutical Analysis is focused on the analytical evaluation of drugs, bioanalytical studies and the development of new analytical methods for the evaluation of drugs. Graduate students in this program broaden their basic theoretical knowledge of pharmaceutical analysis and obtain professional experience upon working with state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Graduates are experts at all aspects of drug analysis – the development of new analytical methods, the validation of analytical methods, drug stability testing, and their bioanalytical monitoring. They will be well qualified to work in analytical laboratories of pharmaceutical companies and research institutes, in clinical laboratories of hospitals as well as in the laboratories engaged in pharmacopoeial drug evaluation.

Study program Pharmaceutical Technology fully employs recent scientific knowledge in the development and manufacturing of dosage forms is based on the actual theoretical and application knowledge in the formulation of dosage forms and drug delivery systems and allows to acquire the study program aims and the required profile of the study program graduate.

Pharmacology and Toxicology are research topics that investigate the mechanisms of interaction of substances and medicaments with biological systems and track their positive and negative consequences for the organism. The final goal is to use this knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human and animal diseases. The research subject encompasses the study of both processes from the molecular level to affect the entire body and also research into clinical practice in patients. The determination of the latest research methods allows for interdisciplinary research at the receptor level, messenger systems, and transmission of genetic information. Created new disciplines such as pharmaco-biochemistry, pharmaco-genetics, pharmaco-economy, and others. The big advantage of pharmacology and toxicology studies is a close connection of the theoretical field with all the clinical fields that perform the treatment, prevention, and diagnostic. The study program in pharmacology and toxicology is therefore suitable not only for those interested in experimental research but also for those who plan their clinical work in the future. The study program is carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Experimental Medicine, the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

The aim of the study is the preparation for highly qualified research work with deep theoretical and practical knowledge in xenobiochemistry and pathobiochemistry and good knowledge in other biochemical sciences and related sciences in the field of pharmacy, biology, and medicine. The core of the program is experimental laboratory work, the results of which are published and are included in the dissertation theses.

The study program complies with the EU directive 2005/36/EC on the higher education of pharmacists and the graduate is qualified to pursue pharmacist's activities listed in this directive (1) The preparation of the pharmaceutical form of medicinal products. (2) The manufacture and testing of medicinal products. (3) The testing of medicinal products in a laboratory for the testing of medicinal products. (4) The storage, preservation, and distribution of medicinal products at the wholesale stage. (5) The preparation, testing, storage, and supply of medicinal products in pharmacies open to the public. (6) The preparation, testing, storage, and dispensing of medicinal products in hospitals. (7) The provision of information and advice on medicinal products.

The aim of the Study Program is to provide a comprehensive view of substances of natural origin as sources of pharmaceuticals (from used and potential curative sources) in human therapy and nutraceuticals - substances derived from food sources or new sources of raw materials used in nutrition. The dominant area is the information on obtaining active substances (isolation, biotechnology, semi-synthetic pathway), methods of isolation from biological material, including solution of structure, mechanisms of biological activity in vitro, screening methodology for individual types of biological effects, and development of analytical methods for monitoring substances in the natural matrix from the therapeutic, tissue-protection and, to a certain extent, even toxicological point of view. The aim of these studies is to find out the possibilities of their use as phytopharmaceuticals, food supplements, and novel foods for the normalization of human physiological processes for the strengthening of health and prevention of chronic diseases together with the use of nutrigenomic phenomena that can be used in the administration of products in terms of interaction with food and pharmaceuticals (from the point of view of clinical pharmacy) and to influence the course of diseases.

The Doctoral Program of Pharmacology and Toxicology is focused on the study of drug interactions with the organism in terms of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug toxicity. Students of this program extend the basic theoretical knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology and gain expertise in experimental work with state-of-the-art methodologies of molecular and cellular pharmacology and genetics - in vitro, in situ, ex vivo and in vivo. Depending on the specialization of the study, graduates are experts in various aspects of pharmacology, including mechanisms of drug effects, drug interactions, metabolism and excretion. The Study Program of Pharmacology and Toxicology is suitable not only for those interested in experimental research but also for those who wish to continue in clinical practice. The standard length of study is four years.

Medical pharmacology is a basic experimental biomedical field that deals with the kinetics and dynamics of drugs summarizes current knowledge in this area, and solves experimental problems of current pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, drug side effects. The results are the basis for clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. It is a study program without specialization.

The aim of the study program is to prepare specialists focusing on population or individual-based approach of evaluation of medicines.

Pharmacology and toxicology are sciences that study the mechanisms of mutual interactions of substances and medicinal preparations with biologic systems and observe their both favorable and adverse impact on the organism. The final goal is the use of this knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human and veterinary conditions. A great advantage of the study of pharmacology and toxicology is the close interconnection of the theoretic field with all clinical specialties that perform therapy, prevention, and diagnosis. The study program in Pharmacology and Toxicology is therefore suitable not only for those interested in experimental research but also for those seeking their prospective careers in clinical work. The main bias of the study program, nevertheless, is experimental, at both the pre-clinical and clinical levels. The goal of the doctoral program Pharmacology and Toxicology is to train specialists with deep knowledge in the areas of clinical as well experimental pharmacology and toxicology. This envelops knowledge of wide areas of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, effects, and toxicity of medications, including the knowledge of properties of particular forms of medicinal preparations. The program is carried out without any specialization.

Ph.D. students will be trained in he field of vaccine design including construction of vaccination antigens either wild type or chimeric based on protein, glycoprotein, or DNA/RNA; antigen modification for targeted induction of cytotoxic T cells, induction of tolerizing T cells, modification of allergen- or autoantigen-specific immune responses and induction of oral tolerance phenomenon; antigen or DNA/RNA modification for corpuscular vaccine formulation, utilizing various route of administration (systemic and mucosal) and evaluation of either systemic or mucosal immune responses in humoral and cellular arms as well as relevant intracellular signalling pathways.