True for arts and sciences majors; for engineering, including co-reqs, the number is probably closer to 60-72 credits. Engineers
have a lot less space in their undergrad requirements than do LAS majors.
Another path to doing drug research is a PharmaD or PharmaD + PhD. Or DVM/PHD.
I used to work at a biomedical research institute that did mostly basic (not [translational](https://www.ucdavis.edu/one-health/translational-research/)) research. The institute had zero engineers working there. (We don’t market or manufacture our patents. We hire outside firms to do that or sell the patents.) Lots of PhDs in chem, biochem, molecular bio, biophysics, neuroscience, genetics. A few MD/PhDs. Several DVM/PhDs. (more of those than MD/PhDs actually). And a handful of plain MDs (who ran our clinical trials).
A MD interested in research (translational, not basic–to do basic research you really have to have a PhD), you can pursue a research fellowship after you complete your residency. NIH, CDC, HHMI and a number of other specialized research programs offer them.
It all really depends on what exactly your interests are. There are many paths that will lead you to the same place professionally.