Pharmacy - Careers, Salary, Jobs, Scope

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Why Pharmacy?

A pharmacy undergraduate stands an opportunity to make a career as a Community Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist or a Research Scientist in the medical field. Companies like Dr Reddy’s Labs and Ciplawho deal in pharmaceuticals hire a pharmacy undergraduate for the position of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative and other likewise positions.

Those interested in research in the field of pharmacy can apply for research scientist position in government institution like Jawahar Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research. Further, a pharmacy graduate is also eligible for the post of Drug Inspector in government agencies.

Jobs in this field are a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor experience. As a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, one gets to travel around and interact with physicians. They explain the newly introduced products of the pharmaceutical industry to them and promote its use. A pharmaceutical professional usually works for 8 -10 hours a day on an average.

Jobs and career opportunities in Pharmaceutical Industry

Following are the job profiles available for students who have done a pharmacy course.

  • Community Pharmacist
  • Hospital Pharmacist
  • Research Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Higher Education Lecturer
  • Product/ Process Development Scientist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Regulatory Affairs Officer
  • Toxicologist

Let us have a quick look at some of the job profiles.

Community Pharmacist

Community Pharmacists are health professionals who supply medicine according to the requirements. They sell general and prescribed medicines. If you are looking for a career as a Community Pharmacist, then these are the companies where you can apply-

  • Lupin
  • Dr Reddy’s Lab
  • Cipla
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Cadila Healthcare

Anyone who has done a three-year undergraduate course in Pharmacy can apply for the post of Community Pharmacist. The average salary offered to professionals in this field is around Rs 3 Lakhs per annum.

Hospital Pharmacist

Hospital Pharmacists are the ones who play an active part in purchasing and testing medicines and at the same time are responsible for dispensing prescriptions. They work with the nursing staff to ensure that patients receive required medicine on time. As a Hospital Pharmacist, you can seek job in renowned hospitals like-

  • Fortis Hospital
  • Asian Institute of Oncology
  • Sahyadri Hospitals
  • Aarogyam Medical College and Hospital
  • Healthcare Global Enterprises

Anyone who has done a three-year undergraduate course can enrol themselves in Doctor of Pharmacy course. Upon achieving the degree of Pharm.D, one can apply for the post of Hospital Pharmacist. The average salary offered to a Hospital Pharmacist is around 3 Lakhs per annum.

Research Scientist

A research scientist designs and analyses information from laboratory-based investigations and observations. A research scientist has the opportunity to work with government laboratories, research organizations, and universities. Here are a few names of organizations and institutes where you can apply for the post of a research scientist.

  • Mankind Pharma Ltd.
  • Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research
  • Albany Molecular Research Inc

A pharmacy student needs to have a master’s degree in order to apply for the post of data scientist. Some of the organizations also seek a Ph.D degree from the candidate. The average salary offered to a research scientist is around 6 Lakhs per annum.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical sales representative travel around and interact with physicians and medication prescribing professionals. They educate them about the newly introduced drugs in the market and also guide them regarding their proper usage. Many leading pharmaceutical companies appoint sales representatives. Some of them are listed below:

  • India Pharma People
  • Hector and Streak
  • Soothika Ayurveda Mother and Baby Care Pvt Ltd
  • BCS Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
  • Trupti Placements

There is no minimum educational qualification laid down for becoming a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. However, most of the representatives have a four year undergraduate degree in Pharmacy. The average salary offered to a medical representative is around 2.5 Lakhs per annum.

Clinical Research Associate

A Clinical Research Associate is a health care professional who performs clinical trials and does research work related to medicines. They are appointed by various research laboratories of the government. Private agencies also hire such professionals. Some of the organizations are listed below:

  • ReeLabs Pvt. Ltd.
  • PRA Health Services
  • Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd.
  • Croissance Clinical Research
  • Ipca Laboratories Ltd.

Primarily, one should hold a bachelor’s degree in life sciences or medical technology in order to apply to a post of Clinical Research Associate. In India, a Clinical Research Associate receives an annual compensation of 3 lakhs per annum.

Salary in Pharmaceutical Industry

As a fresher or someone having an experience of 0-2 years,one can land himself a package of 3 lakhs per annum. This is an initial figure. As a medical professional with an experience with 5 or more years, the package is likely to be somewhere between 6-10 lakhs per annum for professionals like Medical Representatives and Research Associates.

Leading pharmaceutical companies like Dr Reddy’s Labs, Cipla etc. are continuously on a look for pharmaceutical professionals. Interested candidates can tune in to LinkedIn or naukri.com for job opportunities related to their specialization.

Once experienced for 10+ years and in possession of a Master’s degree or Ph.D., they can work as a research associate or lecturer in a government-owned institution like Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research.

Opportunities are equally bright abroad. One can apply for the post of a Research Scientist in an institution like the University of Washington for a decent package of 1.2 Lakhs USD per annum.

Recruiters Pharmacy Recruiters

Most companies recruit students for the post of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives and Community Pharmacist. Following are the major recruiters of Pharmacy undergraduates in India:

  • Dr Reddy’s Labs
  • Cipla
  • Sun Pharmaceutical
  • Lupin
  • Aurbindo Pharma
  • Cadila Healthcare
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
  • Divi’s Laboratories
  • Torrent Pharmaceuticals

Pharmacy Courses

Degrees offered at diploma, undergraduate courses, and postgraduate level are as follows:

Course Duration Eligibility Fee
B.Pharm 4 years 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology with 50% aggregate Rs 8,50,000
B.Pharm (Hons.) 3 years 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology with 50% aggregate Rs 3,50,000
B.Pharm. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) 4 years 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology with 50% aggregate Rs 8,00,000
B.Pharm (Pharmaceutics) 4 years 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology with 50% aggregate 5,00,000
B.Pharm. + M.B.A (Pharma. Technology) (Integrated Course) 5 years 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology with 50% aggregate Rs 8,50,000
M.D. (Pharmacology) 3 years Bachelor’s degree in Science/ M.B.B.S 31,00,000
M.Pharm

 

2 years Bachelor in Pharmacy with 50% aggregate 2,50,000

Syllabus

Students who have enrolled themselves in B.Pharm Courses have to complete the course which is distributed in eight semesters. Here are the subjects that a Pharmacy undergraduate studies.

B.Pharm Syllabus

Semester I
Fundamentals of Pharmaceutics
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Human Anatomy, Physiology and Health Education
Introduction to Pharmacognosy

Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Fundamentals of Computer Applications in Pharmacy
Semester II
Pharmaceutics- I (Unit Operations – I)
Physical Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Inorganic And Nuclear Medicinal Chemistry)
Human Anatomy And Physiology
Phytopharmaceuticals – I
Titrimetric Methods Of Pharmaceutical Analysis
Semester III
Pharmaceutics – II (Unit Operations – II)
Preparative Pharmacy (Dispensing Pharmacy)
Organic Chemistry-I
Fundamentals Of Pharmacology
Phytopharmaceuticals – II
Semester IV
Hospital And Community Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Organic Chemistry-II
Pathophysiology And Pharmacology-I
Analytical Pharmacognosy & Herbal Drug Technology
Semester V
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms-I (Liquid, Semisolid And Solid Dosage Forms)
Medicinal Chemistry-I (Drugs Acting On Ans, Respiratory Tract, And Cvs)
Biochemistry –I
Pathophysiology And Pharmacology-II
Natural Pharmaceutical Agents
Semester VI
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence And Regulatory Guidelines
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms – II (Sterile Preparations, Aerosols & Cosmetics)
Medicinal Chemistry-II (Drugs Acting On Cns, Git And Hormonal Disorders)
Biochemistry –II
Pathophysiology And Pharmacology-III
Electroanalytical And Separation Techniques
Semester VII
Industrial Pharmacy
Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics
Medicinal Chemistry – III (Chemotherapeutic Agents)
Clinical Pharmacy
Chemistry of Natural Products

Spectroscopic Method of Analysis

Semester VIII
Novel Drug Delivery Systems
Medicinal Chemistry – Iv (Molecular Modelling & Drug Design)
Pharmacotherapeutics
Herbal Formulations And Complimentary Therapeutics
Pharmaceutical Analysis & Quality Assurance
Fundamentals Of Biostatistics
Project Work

M.Pharm Syllabus

Semester I
Dosage form design parameters & pharmaceutical product development
Bio-Statistics
Modern Pharmaceutical Analytical Techniques
Bio-pharmaceutics & pharmacokinetics
Pharmaceutical Technology Lab
Pharmaceutical Analysis Lab
Semester II
Drug Delivery System
Pharmaceutical Bio-technology
Process validation & CGMP
Physical Pharmaceutics
Bio-pharmaceutics Lab
Semester III
Research Method & Clinical Trials
Synopsis
Presentation
[/table-wrap]
Semester IV
Thesis
Defence of Thesis

Top colleges offering Pharmacy courses in India

Below is a list of some of the popular colleges in India offering Pharmacy courses

Institute Address
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Mohali
Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai
Goa College of Pharmacy Goa
Jamia Hamdard University New Delhi
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Manipal
Poona College of Pharmacy Pune
Bombay College of Pharmacy Mumbai
KLE College of Pharmacy Hubli
LM College of Pharmacy Ahmedabad

Let’s look at some renowned colleges that provide this course in detail:

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a grade ‘A’ accredited constituent college of Panjab University. The college which was established in 1944 is a prime destination for those who want to take up pharmacy as major at the college level. Successful candidates of GPAT can seek admission here.

For B.Pharm. fees are 11,000/- per year. While for M.Pharm. fees are Rs 22,000/- per year. The college has a good record of nearly 100% placements. The average package goes around 3.5 lakhs – 4 lakhs per annum.

Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani

BITS Pilani is an established name when it comes to pursuing higher education in the field of science. Established in 1964, this institution holds a grade ‘A’ accreditation from NAAC.

The B.Pharm. is quite a popular course and to seek admission in that candidates have to clear BITSAT. For B.Pharm. Fees are Rs 7.11 Lakhs. The college has a good record of nearly 100% placements.The average package goes around 6 lakhs per annum.

Banaras Hindu University

BHU is a top-ranked university in terms of faculty and quality of education. It is one of the oldest universities in India established in 1916. Due to its quality education imparting facility, it has been rated as a grade ‘A’ institute.

For admission into the pharmacy course at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, students have to clear an entrance exam conducted by BHU. For B.Pharm. Fees are 1, 05,000/- per year and for M.Pharm. Fees are Rs 14,985/- per year. The average package goes around 5 lakhs – 6 lakhs per annum.

Jamia Hamdard University

It is a top-ranked college for courses like B.Pharm. and M.Pharm. alongside University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This central government university which is a grade ‘A’ accredited institution, was established in 1989 and since its inception; it has established a name for itself.

Here, seats are filled with candidates who are successful in AIPMT (conducted by CBSE) or Jamia Hamdard’s entrance examination.

For B.Pharm. Fees are 92,500/- per year.For M.Pharm. Fees are Rs 1, 37,000/- per year.The average package goes around 3.5 lakhs per annum.

National Institute for Pharmaceutical Education and Research

NIPER is an autonomous body set up under the aegis of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India. The

college is located in Mohali, Punjab and has received grade ‘A’ accreditation by NAAC.

Candidates take NIPER JEE to seek admission here for MBA (Pharm.) program. The fees for the course is 1, 36,350/- per year and for M.Pharm. Fees are Rs 44,390/- per year. The average package goes around 6 lakhs – 8 lakhs per annum.

Requirements for Pharmacy course

In order to pursue higher education in pharmacy, one has to have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology as their main subjects at 10+2 level with a minimum of 50% marks.

For admission at postgraduate level, one has to have a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a minimum of 50% marks.

Scope of Pharmacy in India

Continuous research is on in the field of medicines around the globe hence the opportunities for a pharmacy professional are quite wide not only in India but also abroad. One can write GRE, TOEFL, IELTS to seek admission in pharmacy postgraduate courses of reputed colleges in the US, UK or Germany.

Further, the option of starting one’s own pharmaceutical business is also there. Apart from being a research scientist or a pharmaceutical sales representative, one can also apply for the post of drug inspector in government agencies.

 

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