Pharmacy Courses in India

Pharmacy Courses in India are amongst the most popular courses and why not, with so many diseases and health problems there has to be someone who supplies medicines. Pharmacy is a field which is a union of health sciences with the chemical sciences. As such its objective is to ensure the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs. The scope of pharmacy practice includes not only traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications but it also includes more modern services related to health care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists are Pharmaceutical experts in drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize medication use to provide patients with positive health outcomes. Pharmacy today has transformed into a hub for the 'Global Healthcare' and as such has evolved as a multidisciplinary, multifaceted curriculum.

Some of its specialized fields of Pharmacy are -

• Pharmaceutics
• Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacy Practice
• Cardiovascular Pharmacy
• Infectious Disease Pharmacy
• Oncology Pharmacy
• Pharmacotherapy Pharmacy
• Nuclear Pharmacy
• Nutrition Pharmacy
• Psychiatry Pharmacy

Content of Pharmacy Courses

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology
2. Pharmaceutical Maths & Biostatistics
3. Biochemistry
4. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Objectives of Pharmacy Courses

• To strengthen the health service of the country
• To develop means and techniques to enable the availability of medicines, easy and economical
• To maintain high standards of ethical practices and inspire others to do as well

Basic Requirements for Pharmacy Courses

Educational Qualification - There are over 225 programs in Pharmacy conducted by different universities in India. The main courses in Pharmacy are the 2 years Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharma), 4 yearsBachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), 2 years Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) and Ph.d programmes. The admission announcement usually comes out in May- July.

Admission to the Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), requires a pass in 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Biology.

Candidates who posses 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths (PCM) or Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) or Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology are admitted to the 4-year bachelor’s program level (Bachelor of Pharmacy or B.Pharm).

At Bachelor level there is no specialization. At the masters level (M Pharm) specialization is available in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Engineering etc.

And after M.Pharm candidates can go for Ph.d programme in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management. 

Pharmacy Colleges in India

1. A.J. College of Pharmacy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
2. B.C.D.A. College of Pharmacy and Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal.
3. C.U. Shah College of Pharmacy & Research, Surendranagar, Gujrat.
4. Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
5. Goa College of Pharmacy, Panaji, Goa.

There are several Online Associate, Bachelor and Master Degree Programs in Pharmacy Education available in a number of Universities all over the world.

Some Online Pharmacy Degree programs offered by the accredited Institutions are as follows:

• Working Professional Doctor of Pharmacy.
• Master of Science in Clinical Research Administration.
• Regulatory Affairs Certificate.
• Analytical Principles of Pharmaceutical Science Certificate.
• Bio-Organic Principles of Pharmaceutical Science Certificate.
• Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration-Pharmacy Practice.

There are a number of recognized Universities worldwide which offer online Pharmacy Degree.

Some of the Online Pharmacy Degree Schools are:

• University of Florida.
• Kaplan University.
• Baker College.
• Lehigh University.
• University of Phoenix.
• Grand Canyon University.
• University of Liverpool.

Personal Attributes - In order to be a successful pharmacist, one must have a liking for science particularly life sciences and medicine. An ability to put hard work, strong logical thinking, patience, a sense of responsibility, patient counselling skills are some of the qualities needed for pharmacist. Strong analytical abilities and strong academic foundations are needed in the field of research. To be a successful medical representative, one needs to have good communication skills and a flair for convincing people, Retail pharmacists need to have business skills together with good product knowledge.

Job Perspectives

Increasing number of hospitals, nursing homes and pharmaceuticals companies all over the country provide a clear indication of growth of Pharmacy. Pharmacy offers reasonably good career opportunities both by way of jobs as well as in terms of starting your own business. After obtaining a diploma or degree in pharmacy, and registering with the state Pharmacy Council, one can set up their own pharmacy or chemists and druggists shop to stock and sell medicines. Majority of the job avenues for a pharmacist are with pharmaceutical industry, government departments, universities, teaching hospitals, investigation and research institute etc. M.pharm or Ph.D holders are normally absorbed in research work, to develop new useful drugs, in laboratories and in production work in pharmaceutical industry and analysing them for purity and strength.

Pharmacists are hired within the central and state government departments- the Health Protection Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare, the Pest Control Division of Agriculture, the Department of National Defence, Provincial Research Councils, and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture or the Environment. There are also employment opportunities within the food and cosmetic industries or within any other industry that requires the assurance that new products are as safe and effective as possible. In government departments, a pharmacist maintains proper records according to various Government acts governing the profession of pharmacy. A number of multinational companies like Hoechst, E Merck and Smith Kline Beecham are collaborating with leading Indian companies as well as government labs, thus offering many job options for qualified professionals. Most large pharmaceutical firms have research divisions requiring skilled manpower.

Remuneration - Pharmacy is a highly reputed job. In this field, monthly salary is according to the jobs, the pharmacist have taken up. The average starting salary for a pharmacist is around Rs 4,000. Research Scientists get around Rs.10,000 - 40,000 per month, Medical Representatives get around Rs. 5,000 - 10,000 per month + incentives, Manufacturing Pharmacists get around Rs. 5,000 upwards, Hospital Pharmacists get around Rs.3,000 - 5,000 per month, Government Employees get around Rs. 1,500 - 2,500 per month (basic) along with Contributory Provident Fund, D.A., Insurance, Medical reimbursement, and other allowances and benefits as per government rules. 

Some Job Types

• Drug Inspector.
• Analytical Chemist.
• Customs Officer.
• Teacher.
• Medical Transcriptionist.
• Researcher.
• Data Manager.
• Regulatory Manager.

Some Employment Areas

• Health Centres.
• Hospitals.
• Drug Control Administration.
• Medical Dispensing Store.
• Pharmaceutical Firms.
• Educational Institutes.
• Sales and Marketing Department.
• Research Agencies.
• Food and Drug Administration.