If you’re someone who loves the combination of science, healthcare, technology, research, and computer technology, then you might find the field of pharmacy exciting. Pharmacy as a discipline is versatile and dynamic in nature. Generally, people believe that pharmacists can only work in chemist shops, dispensaries, and medical stores. However, this is not true.
Pharmacy, to define precisely, is the science and technique of preparing, researching, and distributing medicinal drugs. Pharmacy as a career instructs one about how to prepare medicines and recommend dosages that patients should receive so that they can recover from their illness, or remain healthy. Pharmacy is a recession-proof career that offers excellent salary potential, great benefits, flexibility, and opportunity for growth. The scope of pharmacy today includes global healthcare which has given rise to clinical research, medicinal manufacturing, and marketing, for improvement or maintenance of a patient’s quality of life and provides them with drug information.
Who is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals responsible for ensuring that people derive maximum therapeutic benefit from their medicinal treatment. A pharmacist’s role is not restricted to merely buying and selling of medicines. They are involved in clinical and drug research, and in many cultures & countries also diagnose injuries & illnesses. A pharmacist should have scientific aptitude, be a continuous learner and keep attention to details.
How to Become a Pharmacist in India
Pharmaceutical education includes a blend of theory, practical classes and examinations, and compulsory industrial/ hospital/ community training of varying periods depending upon the course selected. To make a career in pharmacy, one needs to stay updated with the information regarding medicines.
Well, if Pharmacy is the career that you’re looking forward to, then here is a quick guide to pursuing a career in this field.
Step 1- Take the Science Stream in your 10+2
You can take any combination of subjects – Physics Chemistry Biology (PCB), Physics Chemistry Mathematics (PCM) or Physics Chemistry Biology Mathematics (PCBM).
Step 2- Pursue Undergraduate Education in Pharmacy
You can pursue any of the courses listed below after 10+2 from science stream. These courses differ in terms of their course duration, curriculum, opportunities, and degree.
Step 3- Pursue Postgraduate Education in Pharmacy
You can pursue any of the courses listed below as your post-graduate option. Both of them will help you specialize and gain understanding in one or two subjects. These courses differ in terms of their curriculum, research opportunities, and degree.
Step 4- Pursue Ph.D. in Pharmacy
While this is an optional step, it is highly beneficial for people looking to build a career in research.
Students who wish to pursue a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Ph.D.) should have a strong inclination towards research. The minimum eligibility for Ph.D. is Masters’s in Pharmacy. The duration of the program is a minimum 3 years.
Ph.D. programs follow an integrated approach to learning. In addition to coursework and thesis research, students are made to join journal clubs, seminars, publish research articles and participate in student-student and student-faculty interactions.
