Careers
If getting into medical school is a problem, a fallback that makes for an
exciting alternative career is Pharmacy. With the complexities of modern
medicine and the thousands of drugs being developed and dispensed
every day health professionals and the general public have come to rely
quite heavily on the specialised knowledge of pharmacists.This along
with the massive growth in the pharmaceutical industry has created an
increasing demand for trained pharmacists.
WORK
Pharmacists work on developing and preparing different medicinal drugs
used in the prevention and cure of diseases.They also study the properties,
usage and effects of various drugs and test drugs for purity and strength.
Moreover, pharmacists dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by
physicians, surgeons, dentists and other specialists.
Pharmacists who work in drug manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies
are involved in the production and marketing of the medicines produced.
This involves working in medical analytical laboratories, and supervising or
preparing the solutions and compounds that are mixed together to form
powders, tablets, capsules, ointments and so on. It also requires testing
of reactions of the drugs before they are introduced in hospitals and drug
stores. Pharmacists are also involved in the planning, promoting and
distribution of drugs and pharmaceuticals so as to satisfy the needs of the
consumers.
Most professional pharmacists are involved in retailing of drugs and as
representatives of pharmaceutical companies. Retail pharmacists prepare
and dispense drugs on prescription and are expected to provide over the
counter advice on the use of the medicines prescribed, as well as handle
the business and marketing aspects of running a chemists shop.
Eligibility:
There are diploma as well as degree courses in pharmacy which qualify
you to enter this profession. Diploma and Degree courses in pharmacy are
offered to students who have cleared the 10+2 examination with Physics,
Chemistry and Mathematics.
Selection :
Admission in most universities is made on the basis of the results of an
entrance exam.
There are many universities and colleges which offer pharmacy at the
diploma and degree levels. Around 310 institutes are recognised by the
Pharmacy Council of India . Of these 60 recognised institutes offer degree
courses.
Duration :
The Bachelors' degree course in Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) is of 4 years' duration.
The Diploma course in Pharmacy is of 1 to 2 years' duration.
The Masters' course (M.Pharm.) is of 2 years' duration, while the Ph.D. course i
n Pharmacy requires a minimum of 3 years' study.
INSTITUTIONS
1. Some of the prominent institutions offering courses in pharmacy include :
2. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Calcutta.
3. College of Pharmacy, Pushp Vihar, Sector 3, Mehrauli Badarpur Road,
New Delhi.
4. Bombay College of Pharmacy, Santacruz, Mumbai.
JOB PROSPECTS
There are various job opportunities open to Pharmacists:
* In various hospitals / clinics and health departments,
* In Pharmaceutical Companies,
* Teaching / research in concerned areas of specialisation,
* Private practice / self employment.
