The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry upholds the principles of fairness, transparency, and academic rigor through a structured peer review process. Every manuscript submitted undergoes a multi-stage evaluation designed to ensure that only high-quality, scientifically sound, and ethically compliant research is published.

1. Initial Editorial Screening

• Upon submission, each manuscript is first evaluated by the Editorial Office to verify compliance with the journal’s submission guidelines.
• A plagiarism check and preliminary quality assessment are conducted at this stage.
• Manuscripts that fall outside the journal’s scope, lack originality, or fail to meet basic formatting and ethical requirements may be desk-rejected without external review.

2. Assignment to an Editor

• Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to a Handling Editor with expertise relevant to the subject matter.
• The editor performs a preliminary scientific assessment to determine whether the manuscript merits full peer review.

3. Reviewer Selection

• The Handling Editor identifies and invites two to three independent reviewers with demonstrated expertise in medicinal chemistry or closely related fields.
• Reviewers are selected to ensure balance, impartiality, and diversity of perspectives.
• The journal follows a double-blind review system:
  • Authors do not know the identity of reviewers.
  • Reviewers do not know the identity of authors.

4. Review Process

• Reviewers are asked to provide a detailed, constructive, and unbiased evaluation of the manuscript.
• Key aspects assessed include:
  • Originality and novelty of the research.
  • Scientific rigor and reproducibility of methods.
  • Quality of data and strength of conclusions.
  • Relevance to the field of medicinal chemistry.
  • Clarity and organization of presentation.
• Reviewers submit their comments along with a recommendation:
  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Resubmission
  • Reject

5. Editorial Decision

• The Handling Editor reviews all reviewer reports, weighs the feedback, and makes a balanced editorial recommendation.
• In cases of conflicting reviews, the editor may seek input from an additional reviewer or the Editor-in-Chief.
• The final decision is communicated to the authors along with constructive feedback and guidance for revisions, if applicable.

6. Revision and Resubmission

• Authors are invited to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer and editor feedback.
• Revised manuscripts must be accompanied by a point-by-point response letter, addressing each comment systematically.
• Resubmitted manuscripts are re-evaluated by the Handling Editor and, if necessary, re-sent to reviewers for further assessment.

7. Final Acceptance and Production

• Once a manuscript satisfies the scientific and ethical standards of the journal, it is formally accepted for publication.
• Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, and proofing before being published online as open access.
• Authors are given the opportunity to review proofs before final publication.

8. Ethical Considerations in Peer Review

The journal is committed to upholding integrity at every stage of peer review:

• Confidentiality: Manuscript content and reviewer identities remain strictly confidential.
• Conflict of Interest: Editors and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts before participating in the review process.
• Misconduct Handling: Suspected plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or ethical violations are investigated according to established publishing ethics.

9. Timelines

The journal strives to ensure a fair yet efficient review process:

• Initial Decision: within 2-3 days
• Peer Review Completion: 14-21 days
• Final Decision Post-Revisions: 5-7 days
• Online Publication: within 7–10 days of acceptance

The journal strives to balance thorough evaluation with timely publication, ensuring that research reaches the scientific community without unnecessary delay.

The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry believes that peer review is not merely a quality-control mechanism but a collaborative process that improves manuscripts, guides authors, and advances the field. By adhering to fairness, transparency, and academic rigor, our peer review process ensures that every published article contributes meaningfully to the global progress of medicinal chemistry.