Reviewer, Dr Divyansh Tiwari,

Intern, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur

Pharmacology has always been one of those subjects that both fascinates and intimidates medical students. It sits at the crossroads of basic science and clinical practice. On one side, you have to understand the chemistry and physiology of drugs; on the other, you’re expected to apply that knowledge to real patients. Many of us remember struggling with the endless list of drug names, mechanisms, and side effects, wondering if there’s a way to make the subject less overwhelming.

That’s where ‘Medical Pharmacology’ by Dr. PadmajaUdaykumar has consistently come to the rescue. For years, this book has been a reliable companion for undergraduates and teachers alike.

The recently released Eighth Edition (2025) takes things a step further. It’s not just a revision—it feels like a thoughtful response to the new demands of medical education, the CBME curriculum, and even the expectations of competitive exams like INI-CET, NEET-PG, and the upcoming NEXT.

At first glance, the book looks familiar—it retains the simplicity and clarity that have always been its hallmark. But as you flip through the chapters, you quickly notice new elements: case scenarios woven into almost every chapter, colorful boxes that highlight practical tips, and flowcharts that break down mechanisms in a way that even a tired student at 2 a.m. can follow. It feels like the book has grown up with the new generation of medical students. 

The content is vast, no doubt!

With 14 sections and 64 chapters, it covers everything from general pharmacology and system-wise drug action to chemotherapy, endocrinology, and special topics like toxicology and pharmacotherapy in pregnancy or old age. But the way it’s arranged makes it manageable. You never feel lost in the details. 

What Stands Out in the New Edition

Every new edition of a standard textbook promises updates, but here the changes feel more practical than cosmetic. Some of the highlights:

Case scenarios:

Each chapter now has one or more clinical cases. Instead of just listing drugs, the text pushes you to think: “If this patient comes to me, which drug would I choose, and why?” That’s exactly the kind of thinking NEXT is going to test.

Online access to solved cases:

Sixty case discussions are available via the eCBSPD app (scratch code inside the book). For exam preparation, these are gold because they mimic the applied questions we’re seeing more often in NEET-PG and INI-CET.

Flowcharts and diagrams:

Mechanisms of drug action are now illustrated in simple stepwise diagrams. Honestly, these alone can save hours of mugging up pathways.

Compare and Contrast tables:

These are a personal favorite. If you’ve ever struggled to keep beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers apart in your mind, you’ll love how neatly the differences are laid out. It’s also the kind of detail examiners love to test. 

Mnemonics sprinkled throughout:

Instead of being an afterthought, mnemonics are integrated across chapters, making memorization feel less painful.

Functional colored boxes:

Shadow boxes highlight the ‘must-know’ facts, while “model prescription” boxes guide you on rational prescribing. These boxes serve as mini revision notes within the text.

Together, these updates make this edition of the book much easier to study from and an exam-ready reckoner at the same time.

More Than Just a Textbook

What makes this edition stand out is the way it ties to clinical practice. Gone are the days when pharmacology was about memorizing lists. With CBME, the focus has shifted to clinical reasoning, and this book has embraced this shift.

Take the sections on adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance, for instance. In this edition, they don’t just list definitions—they emphasize why drug reaction matters in real-life settings or the way model prescriptions are introduced, preparing students for the early clinical exposure that the NMC now expects. These touches show that the book isn’t just about clearing exams, but rather about becoming a safer, more thoughtful doctor.

Exam Preparation: INI-CET, NEET-PG, NEXT

Of course, no medical student today can ignore the competitive exams. What I really appreciated about this edition is how seamlessly it serves that purpose, too. 

For INI-CET, where analytical recall is crucial, the compare-and-contrast tables and concise summaries are tailor-made.

For NEET-PG, the mnemonics and highlighted boxes are lifesavers during last-minute revision.

For NEXT, which will focus on clinical cases, the integrated case scenarios are exactly the kind of preparation students need.

In other words, this book grows with you. It helps you in the second year of MBBS, but it isn’t the one that you can leave behind once you move into internships or postgraduate prep.

Why Students and Teachers Like It

Ask around in any medical college and you’ll hear a similar story: students like this book because it has simple explanations for every concept. The language is not flowery or overloaded with jargon. The difficult topics like pharmacokinetics and chemotherapy are presented step by step, with depth, just enough to build confidence without drowning the reader in unnecessary detail.

Teachers appreciate it for the same reason. It gives them the material that is structured, clinically oriented, and easy to explain in the class. I is not surprising that many teachers recommend this book as the “must-read” in pharmacology.

A book like this doesn’t happen by accident—it reflects the author’s experience. Dr. Padmaja Udaykumar, currently Professor and Head of Pharmacology and Former Vice Dean at Father Muller Medical College, has been teaching for over three decades. She has also been actively involved in national pharmacology bodies and clinical trials, and she’s authored nearly 30 textbooks. That background shows that the book combines the depth of someone who has lived and breathed the subject with the clarity of someone who knows exactly how students think.

Who Will Find This Book Useful

·        MBBS students in their second year will find it indispensable.

·        Postgraduate aspirants for INI-CET, NEET-PG, and NEXT will benefit from its exam-focused features.

·        Students in allied health sciences—dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy—will appreciate its clarity and clinical orientation.

·        Faculty members can rely on its structured format and pedagogical aids to make teaching more effective.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, the Eighth Edition of Medical Pharmacology is much more than an update. It feels like a textbook that has been reimagined for today’s learner: aligned with CBME, grounded in clinical application, and fully aware of the competitive exam landscape.

What makes it stand out is the balance it strikes. It is simple but not shallow. It is exam-focused but still rooted in clinical practice. And above all, it’s approachable—the kind of book you’ll actually want to open rather than avoid.

For MBBS undergraduates starting their pharmacology journey, for interns and postgraduate aspirants targeting INI-CET or NEET-PG, this is one of those rare textbooks that stay relevant throughout their career. In my view, that makes it a must-have companion on every medical student’s bookshelf.

From the Desk of CBS Publishers and Distributors

This book is now available for purchase on our website www.cbspd.com.  It is also widely available across the country with all the CBS dealers and on e-commerce portals like Amazon and Flipkart. For any further information/queries about the book, we are happy to assist you via call/WhatsApp on 9599779677.