Career in Pharmacy in India: Pharmacy is an amalgamation of health science and Rasa Shastra, or the Science of mercury. A report by Equity Master concludes that the Indian Pharmaceutical market is considered the third-largest when it comes to volume and the thirteenth-largest when it comes to value. Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications to ensure safe, effective, and affordable use. It is a miscellaneous science that links health sciences with pharmaceutical and natural sciences. The professional practice is becoming more clinically oriented as pharmaceutical industries manufacture most drugs. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced the Top 100 NIRF Ranking Pharmacy Colleges in India.
Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacy Practice fall under the Pharmacy field. Pharmacy is considered patient-oriented, while pharmacology is medically scientific-oriented. The following article will give you a brief idea about pharmacy careers in India. Read in-depth info on different pharmacist jobs available after taking pharmacy courses.
[Index]
Quick Facts
The following is a quick summary of the course:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Diploma, UG, PG, PhD |
| Course Duration | UG: 4 Years PG: 2 Years |
| Eligibility | UG: 10+2 PG: M.Pharm |
| Admission Process | NEET |
| Average Starting Salary | 1.22 lakhs p.a |
| Types of pharmacist | Hospital pharmacist, medical writer, clinical researcher |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Cipla, Biocon, Government and Private Hospitals |
What is Pharmacy?
The study of medicines and drugs in terms of their usage most securely and effectively is known as Pharmacy. Pharmacy is a branch of medical science that deals with the science and techniques of preparing and dispensing drugs. A person who practices Pharmacy is called a Pharmacist. The duties of a Pharmacist include explaining the use and medical aspects of a medicine or a drug to the patients as per the instructions received from a doctor. The following article will give you a brief idea about pharmacy careers in India. Read in-depth info on different Pharmacy jobs available after doing Pharmacy courses.
A place or an industry where medicines and drugs are stored for selling is generally called Pharmacy. A pharmacist’s duty is not limited to studying the science and importance of a drug. Still, they must examine and review the medications for safety, efficacy, and clinical services.
Who is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who correctly practice using, storing, preserving, and providing medicine. They can guide the patient on how to use medications and inform them about any potentially unfavourable effects of what they take. They fill prescriptions issued by doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Pharmacists also contribute to the research and testing of new drugs. They work in pharmacies, medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and government institutions.
Various Pharmacy Courses in India
To work as a pharmacist or to make a career in pharmacy, one can earn a degree by taking pharmacy courses.
Diploma Course
The following are the diploma in pharmacy courses:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Diploma in Pharmacy | 2 Years |
| Diploma in Ayurvedic Pharmacy | 2 Years |
| Diploma in Pharmaceutical Marketing | 2 Years |
| Diploma in Drug Store Management | 2 Years |
| Diploma in Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance | 1-3 Years |
| PG Diploma in Drug Store Management | 1-3 Years |
| PG Diploma in Principles of Clinical Pharmacology | 1-3 Years |
| PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management | 2 Years |
| PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance | 2 Years |
| PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 2 Years |
| PG Diploma in Herbal Products | 1-3 Years |
Undergraduate Course
The following are the undergraduate pharmacy courses:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| B.Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | 4 Years |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmacognosy | 4 Years |
| B.Pharm (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) | 4 Years |
| Bachelor of Ayurvedic Pharmacy | 4 Years |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | 4 Years |
| B.Pharm (Pharmaceutics) | 4 Years |
| B.Pharm + MBA | 5 Years |
Postgraduate Course
The following are the postgraduate pharmacy courses:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| M Pharmacy (Master of Pharmacy) | 2 Years |
| MSc (Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Clinical Pharmacy) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Industrial Pharmacy) | 2 Years |
| MSc (Pharmacology) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Pharmaceutics) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Biopharmaceutics) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Biotechnology) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Medicinal Chemistry) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Drug Discovery and Drug Development) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Cosmeceuticals) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) | 2 Years |
| M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Market and Management) | 2 Years |
PhD Course
The following are the PhD in pharmacy courses:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Pharmacy | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmacology) | 3 Years |
| Ph.D. (Pharmacognosy) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmaceutical Biotechnology) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmaceutical Sciences) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmaceutical Medicine) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Pharmacy Practice) | 3 Years |
| PhD (Phytopharmacy & Phytomedicine) | 3 Years |
How do you get admission to the Pharmacy Course?
- Aspiring candidates should have passed from 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the science stream (PCB) to be eligible for the pharmacy course.
- Admission for UG and PG is done through merit and entrance-based examination.
Eligibility Criteria
The following is the eligibility criteria for students pursuing pharmacy course:
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) | Higher Secondary (10+2) | 40% |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) | Higher Secondary (10+2) | 50% |
| Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) | After Graduate | — |
| Post Baccalaureate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) | After Post Graduation | — |
Top Colleges in India Offering Pharmacy Courses
Many colleges in India offer Pharmacy Courses. Some of the best Pharmacy colleges in India are as follows:
| College | State |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, | Mohali |
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi |
| IIT BHU, Dept. of Pharmaceutics | Varanasi |
| Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Vadodara |
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | Hyderabad |
| Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research | Delhi |
| Andhra University | Vishakapatnam |
State-wise Pharmacy Colleges in India
The following are the state-wise pharmacy colleges in India:
| State | Links | State | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Click Here | Nagaland | Click Here |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Click Here | Odisha | Click Here |
| Assam | Click Here | Punjab | Click Here |
| Bihar | Click Here | Rajasthan | Click Here |
| Chhattisgarh | Click Here | Sikkim | Click Here |
| Goa | Click Here | Tamil Nadu | Click Here |
| Gujarat | Click Here | Tripura | Click Here |
| Haryana | Click Here | Telangana | Click Here |
| Himachal Pradesh | Click Here | Uttar Pradesh | Click Here |
| Jharkhand | Click Here | Uttarakhand | Click Here |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Click Here | West Bengal | Click Here |
| Karnataka | Click Here | Andaman & Nicobar | Click Here |
| Kerala | Click Here | Chandigarh | Click Here |
| Madhya Pradesh | Click Here | Delhi | Click Here |
| Maharashtra | Click Here | Daman & Diu | Click Here |
| Manipur | Click Here | Dadar & Nagar Haveli | Click Here |
| Meghalaya | Click Here | Lakshadweep | Click Here |
| Mizoram | Click Here | Pondicherry | Click Here |
What are the Career Prospects in Pharmacy?
India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally, so it is not hard to find a pharmacy job. Since India has a reasonable rank globally in terms of the volume and value of medications, it is advised that someone with good experience and skill set start their own business in Pharmacy.
There is no doubt that the scope of pharmacy is very promising across the globe. The situation is such that one can live without food for a day or two. But in case of illness, immediate relief is needed to survive.
Pharmacy plays a crucial role in the prevailing healthcare sector. In the developed pharmacy industry, a professional must have management skills and computational skills along with core technical knowledge. The pharmacy industry is rapidly moving towards being a highly technology-driven one. Scientists are using more technology to predict the future of healthcare; thus, the pharmacy industry should move along.
Job Profile
| Drug Technician | Health Inspector |
| Pathological Lab Technician | Drug Inspector |
| Hospital Drug Coordinator | Pharmacist |
| Regulatory Affairs Officers | Biochemist |
| Product Development Scientist | Medical Sales Executive |
Role of a Pharmacist
- Prepare prescriptions according to the prescriber’s instructions.
- I am informing the patients about how to administer medication.
- Advising patients regarding the potential side effects of medication and solving their queries.
- Basic record-keeping and administrative tasks as per requirement.
- Making sure of the dosage of the medicine prescribed by the healthcare provider.
Skills of a Pharmacist
- Management skills
- Finance skills
- Mentoring skills
- Multitasking and efficiency skills
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- The ability to think critically
- Strong numerical skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Observation skills.
Salary of a Pharmacist
In India, many employment opportunities are available for candidates who completed their Pharmacy education. The salary in this profession varies from company to company where an individual works. The following is the average salary of a pharmacist, along with the job profile:
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Writer | INR 4-6 LPA |
| Clinical Researcher | INR 5 LPA |
| Drug Inspector | INR 8-14 LPA |
| Medical Representative | INR 3-6 LPA |
| Pharmacy Business | INR 7-10 LPA |
| Hospital Pharmacist | INR 3-4.5 LPA |
| Clinical Technician | INR 5-8 LPA |
| Health Inspector | INR 5-8 LPA |
Top Recruiting Companies
The following are the top recruiting companies for candidates who have completed their degree in pharmacy:
| Government and Private Hospitals | Chemist Shop |
| Medical Shop Chains | Research Bodies and Labs |
| Biocon | Cipla |
| Johnson & Johnson | Abott |
| Sun Pharmaceutical Industries | Glaro Smith Kline India |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some of the best career options for a Science student?
Check out our list of the top 7 highest-paying science careers for inspiration to guide your science career journey.
1. Geoscientists
2. Atmospheric Scientists
3. Biochemists and biophysicists
4. Medical Scientists
5. Hydrologist
6. Materials Scientist
7. Chemist
8. Nuclear Technicians
Which field is best for science students with Biology (PCB)?
Below are the available courses after 12th Science.
>MBBS
>BDS-dentistry.
>BAMS-Ayurveda.
>BHMS-Homeopathy.
>BUMS-Unani.
>BNYS–Naturopathy & Yogic Science.
>BSMS – Siddha Medicine & Sciences.
>Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc. AH)
Is pharmacy a good career?
There is also a reason why pharmacists are one of the most appreciated professions. The road to becoming a pharmacist is long and hard, but you will have a stable job making good money and usually will have fixed hours and a work-life balance. So yes, becoming a pharmacist is the right choice.
Which is better, Pharm D or B Pharm?
A degree is better than a B. Pharm degree, even though both are undergraduate courses. Pharm D stands for Doctor of Pharmacy, a six-year academic program. It comprises more clinical aspects of pharmacy than B Pharm.
Can I do an MBBS after B Pharm?
No. Candidates can’t be admitted to MBBS on a B.Pharma basis. They can be admitted to M.Pharma but not to MBBS. And if you want to be an MBBS, you must clear the medical entrance exam. After completing B.Pharma, you can get a job in any pharma company.
What are the job opportunities for pharmacy students?
There are ample job opportunities for pharmacy students. They can work in the following fields after completing their studies:
>Drug Technician
>Health Inspector
>Pathological Lab Technician
>Drug Inspector
>Hospital Drug Coordinator
>Pharmacist
>Regulatory Affairs Officers
>Biochemist
>Product Development Scientist
>Medical Sales Executive
