Pharmacist

Job Profile

The Pharmacists ensure that the patients get maximum output out of the medicinal treatment. The pharmacists would be involved in every phase of a drug. They can research and develop medicine and discover a drug. Most of the governments encourage and fund the research for cost-effective medication to combat various health issues. Pharmacists take an active part in the manufacturing process of drugs such as tablets, capsules, injections, syrups and so on. Pharmacists also serve as the experts in quality assurance of drugs.

They are also involved in the analysis and review of the medicines. This profile helps the pharmaceutical industry to fine-tune their products and services for better results. Qualified and experienced pharmacists also work for certification of drugs, analysis of drugs, and an inspection of drugs and so on.

Salary/Package

In various roles and sectors, a pharmacist in India can expect an average remuneration of about Rs 3 Lakh per annum to begin with. The remuneration depends upon the company, the responsibilities and the overall calibre of the person. The pharmacists in trading of medicines earn better due to the constant high demand for drugs across the country. The salaries may also vary based on experience, skills, roles, location, etc.

Skills required

• You need to develop your knowledge about the drugs you deal with
• Being a pharmacist, you would need to interact with the patients buying their medication
• Computer skills is very important
• You need to be well-versed with chemistry, physics, math and some other science-related subjects
• The pharmacists need to be aware of the ethics and adhere to them consistently
• Research and scientific acumen

Pros and Cons of being a Pharmacist

Pros

• A Pharmacist has a wide scope to render his services in a variety of levels and business operations related to medicines. The pharmacists get flexible options for their work.
• The Pharmaceutical industry is recession-free. So, the Pharmacists can have a great level of job security and growth prospects.
• Compared to the other professions in the medical line, pharmacist’s job is less complicated and less stressful as well.

Cons

• The Pharmacists need to carry out a repetitive job.
• The Pharmacists need to face tough competition from the science graduates and postgraduates in India.
• The career growth of a Pharmacist depends upon various factors apart from the qualification and experience.

How do I be one

The basic requirement to start a career in Pharmacy would be pursuing the Class XII in Science stream, with any combination of subjects. You can learn the basics of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and other subjects at this level. This know-how is essential to get advanced and in-depth knowledge in Pharmacy.

The second step would be pursuing Undergraduate level education in Pharmacy. You can opt for Diploma in Pharmacy, which is a two-year course after your 10+2 in Science stream. Another option is Bachelor of Pharmacy, which is a three-year course after your 10+2 with Science stream. Eventually, the students completing their Diploma in Pharmacy can get lateral entry to the second year of B. Pharmacy based on merit. Your Graduation in Pharmacy opens numerous career paths for you.

If you wish to work with the big brands in this industry, a degree is a must. You can also pursue Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) after 10+2, or through the lateral entry to 4th year after B. Pharm. Doctor of Pharmacy is a six-year course including five years of community-based or clinical training and one year of internship in a hospital. For specialization, you can do Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.) after your B Pharm.