by PubMed is a free resource supporting the search and retrieval of biomedical and life sciences literature with the aim of improving health, both globally and personally. Maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), PubMed is a highly credible medical resource among researchers, students, and academic institutions. As a result, all PubMed indexed journals are considered reputable and trustworthy.
Please note that the PubMed database does not include full-text journal articles. However, you can access the full text via links available from other sources, such as PubMed Central or the publisher’s official website. For example, if you’re looking for the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology, you may find a link to this one or other PubMed indexed ENT journals, but not full text.
Now, coming to our main topic of this blog: How do you know if a journal is PubMed-indexed? In this blog, we will cover how to check a journal for PubMed indexing, publishing tips, and much more.
Continue reading to know:
What does it mean to be PubMed Indexed?
First things, first. Many people often think that PubMed and PubMed Central (PMC) are the same database. However, that is not true; they are different.
For PubMed indexing, journals must be qualified to be included in MEDLINE by ther National Library of Medicine (NLM). This involves a strict review process to ensure that the journal meets all the technological and quality standards set by MEDLINE. MEDLINE is the NLM journal citation database, which includes citations from over 5,200 scholarly journals published worldwide.
PMC (PubMed Central), on the other hand, is a free archive for full-text articles from biomedical and life sciences journals published by participating publishers, as well as author manuscripts. So, if you are looking for free PubMed indexed journals, PMC could be the resource you need.
What makes PubMed indexing trusted?
Obtaining their journals’ indexing on PubMed is a significant achievement for researchers. It is because PubMed follows a rigorous process for indexing, which typically involves quality checks, peer review, relevancy to biomedical and life science topics, and scientific credibility. Fast publishing PubMed-indexed journals are those that fulfill all the criteria set by the database.
Here are the quick benefits of inclusion on PubMed:
- Wider and faster visibility: Inclusion in PubMed means your research will be visible and accessible to a vast audience of researchers and clinicians alike. More visibility leads to more citations, new collaborations, and increased funding and research opportunities.
- Improved credibility: Being indexed in PubMed shows that your work has undergone an in-depth and expert review process and meets high standards of quality and relevance.
- Better discoverability: PubMed utilizes an advanced search engine that enables users to easily locate relevant articles based on keywords, Medical Subject Headings, and other indexing terms. Therefore, users can easily find what they need, resulting in improved discoverability for researchers.
- Long-term preservation: PubMed is like a permanent archive for your research work. This means your work will be available to future generations of researchers and clinicians.
How to check if a journal is PubMed indexed
It is easy to check whether a journal is indexed on PubMed. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Log on to the NLM Catalog.
Step 2: Now, enter the search term, such as the journal name or the ISSN for the same
Step 3: Look for Currently indexed for MEDLINE” or PubMed Central.
Step 4: Verify the information on the official journal website for confirmation.
Top Low-Cost PubMed Indexed Journals
Here is the list of PubMed indexed journals without publication fee
Journal of Biomedical Science
Published by BioMed Central and supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan, the Journal of Biomedical Science is a reputable open-access journal that charges no APCs for authors.
It covers a wide range of topics in biomedical research, including molecular biology, pharmacology, and disease mechanisms. Its robust peer-review process and PubMed indexing ensure visibility and credibility. It’s an excellent option for researchers seeking a high-impact, cost-free publishing platform that prioritizes scientific integrity and accessibility.
Medicina Clínica (English Edition)
Medicina Clínica is one of Spain’s most respected clinical journals and offers an English-language edition that is indexed in PubMed. The journal does not charge publication fees, making it a top choice for clinicians and researchers with limited funding. It publishes original articles, reviews, and short communications in all areas of clinical medicine. Its no-cost policy and wide readership make it a rare find in today’s publishing landscape.
Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR)
Published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Indian Journal of Medical Research is a PubMed-indexed, peer-reviewed open-access journal that charges no APCs. It accepts original research articles, reviews, and case reports in all areas of biomedical sciences. With a strong focus on public health, infectious diseases, and epidemiology, IJMR is particularly valuable for researchers working on region-specific issues in developing countries.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Bulletin of the WHO is one of the most respected global public health journals and is indexed in PubMed. It is one of the free PubMed indexed journals that does not charge authors for submissions or publications.
This journal publishes high-quality research and policy papers on global health priorities, international health systems, and more. Publishing in this journal not only helps disseminate research but also contributes directly to shaping global health initiatives—all at no cost to the author.
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine (JPGM)
Published by the Staff Society of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital in India, JPGM is a peer-reviewed, low cost PubMed-indexed journals that does not charge APCs. It accepts submissions across a wide spectrum of medical disciplines, from clinical studies and diagnostic techniques to ethical discussions in medicine. JPGM is ideal for postgraduate students and healthcare professionals seeking a credible, cost-free publishing platform.
Fast Publishing PubMed Indexed Journals
Here is the list of some of the fast publishing PubMed indexed journals 2025:
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
If you are looking for a journal that publishes monthly and is peer-reviewed, this is the best. It accepts original research papers, review articles, and case studies that are relevant for developing countries like India. Here you can submit your manuscript through the online portal after registering your details. Some topics that are frequently accepted here include:
- Family health care
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Public health administration
- Healthcare delivery
- National health problems
- Clinical epidemiological research.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Research
As one of the best open-access journals in dermatology, this journal can be perfect for researchers seeking higher visibility. It is a peer-reviewed journal publishing on a bi-monthly basis. This journal offers better acceptance chances and makes the first decision within 7 days. You can expect your research papers to be published within 30-45 days.
Each article published by this journal has at least eight citations and requires comments of 2 references to complete the review process. The following are some common topics:
- Dermatitis
- Cosmetic dermatology
- Dermatopathology
- Immunodermatology
- Oral pemphigoid
- Scars
- Rosacea
International Journal of Nanomedicine
If you need a journal with a high acceptance rate of 37%, the International Journal of Nanomedicine is a perfect match. This PubMed-indexed journal has an impact factor of 8.0 and is an open-access journal. The main aim of this journal is the prevention of diseases by exploring the application of nanotechnology in diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery systems. You can expect your research papers to be published within 10-20 days.
Frontiers in Public Health
With an impact factor of 3.4, the Frontiers in Public Health is well-established journal. This is a Q1 journal and accepts only the most high-quality research papers. Researchers looking for a multidisciplinary journal with fast publication can approach this journal. Main focus of this journal is to explore climate, public health challenges, planetary health, natural disaster and emergecny medicine.
Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
Researchers and authors who do not want to pay any publication fee can choose this journal. This is a Korean journal and is indexed in PubMed, however, global authors can publish their research papers. Main scope of this journal is revolved around new discoveries and innovations within clinical progress in the field of prosthodontics. The following are some important topics publishes by the Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics:
- Stomatognathic physiology
- Prosthodontic rehabilitation
- Physiology
- Implants
- Prostheses
- Mechanics of occlusion
Common Pitfalls: Avoiding Predatory Journals
Here are common pitfalls to watch out for:
Mistaking fast publishing for credibility
We all appreciate a quick publishing process, especially when deadlines are tight. However, many fast publishing PubMed indexed journals advertise unrealistically short peer-review timelines. If a journal promises publication within a week or skips peer review altogether, it’s a sign of a predatory operation.
Overlooking the editorial board and affiliations
A trustworthy journal will have a clearly listed, reputable editorial board with institutional affiliations. Predatory journals often list fake, outdated, or unqualified editors to create a false sense of credibility. Editorial members with no verifiable academic presence, or whose profiles do not mention the journal at all.
Ignoring article processing charges (APCs) transparency
Predatory journals often hide exorbitant publication fees until after acceptance. Or worse—they charge you after fake peer review with no added value. Vague or missing information about APCs, and sudden payment demands after submission.
Final Words
Now, you know how to find the easy to publish PubMed indexed journals or fast publishing PubMed indexed journals, so choose them wisely. Before submitting, always verify a journal’s indexing status using trusted tools like the NLM Catalog, PubMed database or through other criterias mentioned above. This is especially important if you working on areas related to like PubMed indexed ENT journals 2025 or Scopus indexed ENT journals 2025.
FAQ’s
PubMed journals are known for their excellence and academic vigor. Due to this, your research must be high-quality and valuable for the industry to be published in such journals. However, some journals have a high acceptance rate, so you can try to submit your papers for peer review.
You can check the journals currently indexed with MEDLINE in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) catalog. Alternatively, go to the PubMed homepage and search for journals and mention the ISSN number. This can show if the journal is indexed or not.
Common niches usually include life sciences, behavioral sciences, chemical sciences, clinical health, public health, medicine, and bioengineering.
There are free and low-cost journals that are indexed with PubMed. If you want to publish with a high-authority journal, there may be charges for open-access publication.
Although the exact time to publish depends on the journal’s peer review process and publication frequency. The minimum time is at least 3weeks to a month to publish in a PubMed journal.
