Certificate Course in Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Marketing

Course Structure

​

Module 1: Introduction to Pharmaceutical Marketing (18 Hours, Weeks 1-2)

​

Objective: Understand the pharmaceutical industry and marketing fundamentals.

Topics:

​

• Overview of the Indian and global pharmaceutical industry.

• Stakeholders: regulators, healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients, payers.

• Marketing strategies for diverse pharmaceutical companies and regulatory compliance.

• Role of marketing across the drug lifecycle.

​

Activities:

​

• Day-1 In-Person Session (6 hours): Faculty and a distinguished guest faculty (e.g., pharmaceutical executive, CDSCO official) introduce course objectives, industry trends, and professional expectations.

• Fieldwork: Interview a local pharmaceutical professional about marketing strategies (report due in-person).

• Quiz on industry stakeholders and strategies.

Hours: 6 hours in-person, 8 hours online lectures/readings, 4 hours fieldwork.

 

Module 2: Professional Communication Skills (21 Hours, Weeks 3-4-5)

​

Objective: Enhance English and native language communication for professional marketing.

​

Topics:

​

• Effective business communication: clarity, tone, and structure.

• English for pharmaceutical marketing: writing reports, emails, pitches, and proposals.

• Native language skills: tailoring messages for regional markets.

• Presentation skills for in-person and virtual stakeholder engagement.

Activities:

​

• Assignment: Write a marketing email and a pitch in English and a native language.

• In-person: Practice presentations to faculty (mock pitch with feedback).

Hours: 15 hours online lectures/readings (Also, 5 hours on assignments, 4 hours in-person practice).

 

Module 3: Drug Discovery Cycle – Part 1: Preclinical Development (6 Hours, Week 6)

​

Objective: Gain simplified familiarity with preclinical processes for marketing context.

​

Topics:

​

• Computer modeling: Basics of in-silico drug design.

• In vitro studies: Cell-based testing overview.

• In vivo studies: Animal testing for safety and efficacy.

• Using preclinical data in marketing narratives.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Analyze a drug’s preclinical data for marketing insights (report).

• In-person: Present findings to faculty.

Hours: 5-6 hours online lectures/readings (Also 2 hours of fieldwork, 1 hour in-person presentation.

 

Module 4: Drug Discovery Cycle – Part 2: Clinical Development (6 Hours, Week 7)

Objective: Understand clinical trials and BA-BE studies for marketing applications.

​

Topics:

​

• Clinical trial phases (I-IV): Simplified overview and outcomes.

• Bioavailability and Bioequivalence (BA-BE): Basic concepts.

• Regulatory requirements for clinical data in marketing.

• Case studies: Clinical trial impacts on drug positioning.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Study a drug’s clinical trial data for marketing (report).

• Quiz on clinical trial phases and BA-BE.

Hours: 5 hours online lectures/readings (Also, 2 hours of fieldwork, 1 hour in-person discussion).

Midcourse In-Person Session (12 Hours, Week 8)

​

Objective: Assess fieldwork progress, address gaps, and provide course corrections.

Activities:

• Faculty review of fieldwork reports from Modules 1-4 (e.g., completeness, analytical quality).

• One-on-one feedback sessions with students (30-40 per batch) to improve communication, compliance, or marketing strategies.

• Group discussions on industry trends and course adjustments.

Hours: 12 hours in-person (2 days).

 

Module 5: Bio-Manufacturing and Quality Control (12 Hours, Weeks 9-10)

​

Objective: Explore bio-manufacturing and quality control for marketing compliance.

​

Topics:

​

• Bio-manufacturing: Basics of biologics and small molecules.

• Class 10,000 cleanroom standards and quality control labs.

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and marketing implications.

• Supply chain challenges in India’s pharmaceutical market.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Visit a local pharmaceutical facility (if feasible) or analyze GMP case study (report).

• In-person: Present GMP-related marketing pitch to faculty.

Hours: 10 hours online lectures/readings (Also, 3 hours of fieldwork, 3 hours in-person presentation).

 

Module 6: Regulatory Environment and Ethics in Pharma Marketing (20 Hours, Weeks 11-12)

Objective: Master regulations and instill compliant marketing practices.

​

Topics:

​

• Global and Indian regulations: CDSCO, FDA, EMA guidelines.

• Advertising compliance: DTC vs. HCP marketing.

• Ethics Session 1: Avoiding non-compliant practices (e.g., off-label promotion).

• Ethics Session 2: Case studies on regulatory and compliance dilemmas.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Analyze a regulatory-compliant campaign (report).

• In-person: Debate compliance scenarios with faculty and peers.

Hours: 10 hours online lectures/readings, (Also, 5 hours of fieldwork, 5 hours in-person discussion).

 

Module 7: Branding and Digital Marketing in Pharma (26 Hours, Weeks 13-14)

​

Objective: Develop branding and digital marketing strategies for pharmaceutical products.

​

Topics:

​

• Market segmentation: HCPs, patients, payers in India.

• Brand development: Naming, messaging, differentiation, and brand loyalty.

• Digital channels: Social media, websites, analytics (compliance-focused).

• Emerging trends: AI in marketing, tele-health integration, and data-driven campaigns.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Create a digital campaign for a hypothetical drug (report).

• In-person: Present campaign to faculty with stakeholder feedback simulation.

Hours: 20 hours online lectures/readings (Also, 6 hours of fieldwork, 6 hours in-person presentation).

 

Module 8: Capstone Project and Final Assessment (33 Hours, Weeks 15-16)

​

Objective: Synthesize learning through a doctor engagement project and final evaluation.

Topics:

​

• Integrating drug discovery, regulatory, and compliance insights into marketing.

• Developing a 360-degree marketing plan via real-world fieldwork.

• Presentation skills for stakeholder pitches in India’s pharmaceutical context.

Activities:

​

• Fieldwork: Promote a partnered company’s drug to 3-4 doctors, using scientific discourse and patient-centric messaging (report).

• Report Writing: Draft a 1,500-2,000-word report per provided template.

• 2-Day In-Person Final Assessment (12 hours): Present capstone project to faculty and peers (30-40 students), including Q&A and faculty evaluation. 16 hours of online classes.

Hours: 15 hours fieldwork, 6 hours report writing, 12 hours in-person assessment.

 

Assessment and Certification

​

• Quizzes: 10% (one per module, testing core concepts).

• Fieldwork Reports: 50% (reports from Modules 1, 3-7, and capstone).

• In-Person Presentations: 20% (evaluated during module sessions and final assessment).

• Capstone Project: 20% (report and final presentation).

• Certification: Awarded upon successful completion, with a minimum score of 70%.

 

Learning Resources

​

• Online: Recorded lectures, slides, case studies (course platform).

• In-Person: Faculty-led sessions (Day 1, midcourse, final assessment), guest faculty on Day 1, discussion forums (30-40 students).

• Industry reports, regulatory guidelines (CDSCO, FDA, EMA).

 

Why Choose This Course?

​

Designed for India’s diverse pharmaceutical industry, this course equips professionals with graduate degrees with practical marketing skills and professional communication abilities.

​

With 60 hours of fieldwork, a 6-hour Day 1 in-person session with guest faculty, a 2-day midcourse review, and a 2-day final assessment, participants gain hands-on experience to excel in pharmaceutical marketing roles, aligned with T-SOC’s industry-focused approach.