The Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest pharma industries in the world. This increases the scope of pharma studies in India.
Career options are not only available in India, but worldwide.
Research and Development is a major area in the pharma industry, where new drug development, formulation development, analysis and toxicological studies are performed.
These analysis are done through sophisticated and state-of-the-art machines. For research and development purposes,
Pharmacy graduates can work in several different industries such as sales, marketing, research and development, manufacturing, quality check, education, etc. Working in the Pharmacy industry is comparatively stable. Most graduates are able to find employment within months of graduating with a degree as well.
The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing of medications. It also includes more modern services related to health care including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information.
Pharmacy plays a vital role in the overall healthcare sector. In the evolved pharmacy industry, a professional must have management capabilities and computational skills along with core technical knowledge. The pharmacy industry is rapidly moving towards being a high technology-driven one.
Basically the course offers graduation in Pharmaceutical Sciences which is the minimum qualification accepted for a registered pharmacist in most of the developed countries.
This course teaches students how to prepare and dispense medicine and make the students to convey the drug related information to the public. This course enables graduates to clear doubts about the prescriptions given by the doctors and can give more valuable advices on the health care programmes.
Pharmacy graduates are capable of evaluating drugs and drug use pattern.
The pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach $65 Bn by 2024 and to $130 Bn by 2030.
The pharmaceutical industry in India is currently valued at $50 Bn. India is a major exporter of Pharmaceuticals, with over 200+ countries served by Indian pharma exports.
Growing scope of Pharmacy In India
According to government statistics, over 300 institutions impart diplomas or degrees to nearly 20,000 students in India every year. In this article, Careers360 explores here the scope of pharmacy In India, and what it takes to make a career in this expanding sector.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) control pharmacy education in India. Qualifications at different levels include Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm), Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm), Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) and PhD in pharmacy.
Entering the field
Candidates, who have completed their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology (PCM/PCB), are eligible to apply for B. Pharm. Candidates should also secure a minimum of 50 percent in the qualifying examination. In certain states, it is mandatory to give separate entrance examinations for pharmacy admissions. D.Pharm holders are eligible for admission into B.Pharm in the second year directly via lateral entry.
Curriculum of Pharmacy
Pharmacy curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and it varies from institution to institution. However, a 4-year B.Pharm course in general focuses on organic as well as inorganic aspects of chemistry. Concepts of bio-chemistry, health education and human anatomy are part of the curriculum. B. Pharm teaches the process of turning a chemical into a drug which is called physical pharmaceutics plus pharmaceutical technology. The other components include various sources of drugs pharmacognosy; uses, effect and action of drugs on body (Pharmacology) along with pharmaceutical bio- technology which deals with technologies involved in the manufacturing and registration of biotechnological drug and also pharmaceutical legislation along with pharmacy business management.
Postgraduate Studies
M.Pharm students usually need to select one out of ten areas of specializations. They are: Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Pharmacy Practice, Industrial Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. PCI introduced a six-year programme, Pharm.D in 2008 with a globally standardized syllabus. You can apply for this course with 10+2 qualification.
Where to study Pharmacy?
The Pharmacy institutes in India are:
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research – Mohali
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology Institute of Chemical Technology – Mumbai
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University – Chandigarh
Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard – New Delhi
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Manipal
JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore; Jadavpur University
Banaras Hindu University, Birla Institute of Technology
SCOPE OF PHARMACY COURSE
In the western countries, we understand diagnosis of the patients is done by the Doctors but the Pharmacists decide the medicines and their dosage. Therefore, Pharmacy graduates have important role and can earn attractive remuneration and can occupy strategic positions.
In the fast developing world, research and Development (R & D) in the pharmaceutical industry is progressing and advancing at a very high speed which calls for pharmacy graduates with attractive financial package in spite of the economic crisis prevailing now.
Graduates can attain highest qualification like Pharm D and demand higher salary. Graduates can look into most advancing branches in Genetic Engineering, Bio informatics, Nano Technology, Nuclear Pharmacology, Nutraceuticals etc.
CAREER SCOPE FOR PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS
A career in pharmacy, unfolds a vista full of opportunities leading to a golden future for a young career aspirant. The job opportunities, working conditions, job satisfaction and monetary benefits are excellent.
The various vocations a pharmacy professional can opt, for, are discussed below:
PRODUCTION & MANUFACTURING
A pharmacy professional can work as a production person (chemist, officer, executive, manager, vice-president), involved in the production of bulk drug & intermediates or formulations and dosage forms. Industries manufacturing cosmetics, soaps, toiletries and dental products also hire pharmacy professionals. Blood and plasma products as well as biological & biotechnological products are other areas with immense potential worldwide. Production of biological & biotechnological products, surgical dressings, medical devices, equipment, ayurvedic/ homoeopathic / unani medicines, veterinary medicine, perfumery, fragrances, nutraceuticals also involve the presence of pharmacy professionals in their production.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
This forms the heart of any industry, as it is the key to growth and sustenance. Mainly M.Pharms & Ph.Ds are in great demand in the various areas of Pharmaceutical R&D, such as New Drug Discovery Research, Process Development, Formulation & Development, Clinical Trials, Bioequivalence studies and Toxicological Studies.
ANALYSIS & TESTING
Quality control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) are the most integral areas of the drug & pharmaceutical industry. Highly specialized and trained staff are required to handle sensitive analytical procedures & sophisticated equipment. M.Pharm & Ph.Ds in Pharm. Analysis /Q.A. are highly preferred for this job.
Highly technical field & offers excellent opportunities for the pharmacy graduates. An aspirant of a highly bright future can enter through various openings like starting his own retail or wholesale drug store or becoming a professional sales representative (known as medical Sales Representative or M.R.) to the levels of International Marketing & Exports. The monetary rewards and perks are the best.
HOSPITAL PHARMACY
Like U.S.A. & Canada, this trend is already set in many hospitals in our country. The Pharmacist is the best-informed qualified drug expert whose advice is sought by everybody regarding the dosage, incompatibilities and side effects of drugs.
COMMUNITY PHARMACY
This concept is rapidly catching up the Healthcare service in our country. A pharmacist becomes a vital link between the patients and the products i.e., drugs.
OPPORTUNITIES OVERSEAS
Golden opportunities galore for qualified Pharmacy professionals in various countries. There are plenty of higher education and research opportunities in the developed western countries along with excellent job openings. The monetary job benefits abroad are highly exciting.
ACADEMICS
This is a profession associated with job satisfaction and social status as teaching is considered to be noble profession. The posts in the hierarchy are Lecturer, Sr. Lecturer, Reader, Asst. Professor, Professor, Principal etc. The emoluments are satisfactory. Besides teaching, academic related opportunities involve positions on research posts and training programs.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Locally the F.D.A. (Foods & Drugs Control Administration) is the main regulatory body governing and implementing the rules and regulations for the Drug & Pharma industry. The job opportunities range from the levels of a Drug Inspector (D.I.), Sr. D.I., Asst. Drug Controller, Deputy Drug Controller, Drug Controller of state and finally D.C.I. (Drug Controller of India). A graduate in Pharmacy is the minimum eligibility. Since, the business involved is worth multibillion dollars, this branch has assumed tremendous significance and is bound to grow enormously, in the Post-GATT era. Regulatory experts are thus in great demand. Similarly, Patents and Trademarks, I.P.R. Experts are also in high demand as far as the Pharma industry is concerned.
SELF EMPLOYMENT
Self-employment – can establish his own manufacturing facilities and register the same.
DOCUMENTATION, LIBRARY INFORMATION SERVICES & PHARMA. JOURNALISM
Most of the major Indian Pharma companies have established separate Documentation Departments with a highly technical & skilled staff for this purpose. Similarly, the R&D and Q.C. Departments of the Pharma Companies need Library Information services. Pharma- Journalism is already a very lucrative business in this field.
CONSULTANCY
This is an ideal opportunity for highly technical and experienced pharmacy professionals to earn handsomely as self-employed entrepreneurs, even after the age of retirement.
