How to Become a Pharmacist: A Complete Guide

How to Become a Pharmacist: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Students who choose pharmacy as a career path in the corporate world have a unique and profitable placement opportunity. The need for skilled Pharma specialists and experts is quite substantial in a growing country like India because healthcare is such an appealing area. As a result, the pharmaceutical education curriculum is vast and includes a wide range of medical courses that provide students with an in-depth understanding of medications, their production, testing, and procedures from conception to retail for end-user use. At each level of these procedures, qualified medical staff is required, resulting in a variety of work opportunities for pharmaceutical graduates and postgraduates.

Reasons to Become a Pharmacist In 2022

The pharmaceutical sector is continually developing and diversifying, creating a plethora of work possibilities for qualified applicants. The student can earn a position in the top pharmaceutical business with proper commitment and sustained effort. Some of the reasons one should choose pharmacy as a profession are mentioned below:

• A wide variety of job pathways – Pharmaceutics graduates have a range of possibilities when it comes to choosing a career. The options range from working in the R&D sector to drug analysis and testing department, producing and manufacturing to working under the regulatory bodies, or even working as independent clinicians and pharmacists.
• High-paying employment – Because the work needs knowledge, training, and expertise, the pharmaceutical industry has some of the High paying job in Pharmaceutical Industry, especially in the corporate sector.
• Recession-proof — Pharmaceutical occupations are forecasted to grow in the long term, exactly as they are now.
• A Wide Array of Opportunities— Even when studying pharmaceutics, there are many opportunities for internships and part-time employment, which may support a student’s personal needs as well add to the working proficiency, skills, and knowledge area thus leading to a more rewarding career with pre-gained experience.
• Community Upliftment— working in pharmaceutics allows you to make an indirect contribution to the welfare of society. This is due to the fact that you will have the ability to participate in and contribute to numerous healthcare initiatives, charity trusts, and government programs to supply discounted medications, and much more.
• Personal and Professionally Compelling— Pharmaceutics is a discipline that is valued by people all around the world. The sense of accomplishment that a student feel equates to a vital contribution to India's healthcare scene.

Skills Required To Be a Pharmacist In 2022

Because Pharmaceutical Scientists spend most of their time writing papers, reviewing, analyzing, doing various tests, performing experiments, trials, and monitoring, the following skill-set comes in helpful for them to carry out their duties.

• Numerical Ability
• Analytical Skills
• Scientific Skills
• Communication Abilities
• Research Capacity
• Problem-Solving Capabilities
• Problem-Solving Capabilities
• Higher-Order thinking
• Assessment skills

Courses That Enable a Robust Pharmacy Career

• A diploma in Pharmaceutical Science— it is a three-year curriculum that equips students with the skills, information, and experience essential to function effectively in the field of pharmaceutical science.
• B.Pharm— offers a more in-depth examination of Pharmaceutical Science, with topics such as biochemistry, human anatomy, herbal medication technology, and so on. Explore more about B. pharma Course Details
• MPharm in Pharmacognosy— Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, Phytochemistry, Herbal Cosmetics, and other topics are covered in the MPharm in Pharmacognosy programme.
• D.Pharm— is a professional doctorate in pharmacy that entails a thorough examination of human anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutics, pathophysiology, community pharmacy, and other topics.
• Pharmaceutics— Formulation Development, Advanced Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Modern Pharmaceutical Analytical Techniques, and other topics are covered in the Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutics programme.
• Pharmaceutical Analysis— Food analysis, modern bio-analytical techniques, herbal and cosmetic analysis, and other topics are covered in the M Pharm in Pharmaceutical Analysis.

Career Path for a Pharmacist

The pharmaceutical industry's prominence stems from the wide range of job options available. Each domain, from medicine creation to drug distribution, offers limitless chances to aspirants. Furthermore, a career in pharmaceutics can provide you with a solid wage and a wonderful lifestyle. The methods listed below will help you go one step closer to your goal of becoming a pharmacist in India.

1. Completion of 12th With Medical Stream: completing 12th standard with subjects from the medical stream including physics, chemistry, and biology lays the perfect groundwork for a robust career in pharmacy. Additionally, students are required to secure at least 60% marks in 12th from a recognised educational board, before they can be admitted into a pharmacy college.

2. Entrance Exams: exams like CG PPHT, WB JEE, KCET, OJEE, KEAM, GPAT etc that a student can take a shot at to secure admission in government colleges. Private colleges sometimes offer admission without any entrance exam, depending upon other criteria as mentioned by the college itself.

3. Graduation: After 12th grade, a Bachelor of Pharmacy is a prominent job-oriented degree among science students. The primary focus of the coursework is on the production, analysis, and distribution of various drugs for illness treatment. Students must graduate from pharmacy school with a GPA that is satisfactory for a more focused career, particularly in research roles.

4. Internships: The student should begin working in the industry for internships and part-time employment to build knowledge and experience, which will improve their chances of landing a position with a reputable organization in the future.

5. Post-Graduation: M Pharm, or master of pharmacy, is a postgraduate degree offered to a candidate who has completed two years of intensive higher studies in the discipline of pharmacy. An M.Pharm is an appropriate choice for applicants who have a passion for higher learning, research, and development, or who want to refine their field of interest.

6. PhD: Doctor of Pharmacy is a six-year curriculum that includes advanced medical studies and a traineeship year. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, biopharmaceutical medicine, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy & phytochemistry, pharmacology, and more disciplines are available for students to choose from.

7. Work Experience: The pharmaceutical sector is not restricted to pharmacists, but rather provides a wide range of possibilities covering a plethora of domains. Gaining some work experience in the midst of your studies through fellowships, internships, etc. is a good way to boost your chances of landing a promising job in the industry. Some of these occupations range from Microbiologist, Biomedical Engineer, Product Development Scientist, Senior Scientist, Epidemiologist, Senior Scientist, Research Scientist and more alike.

8. Placement: Campus Placement is a great start to exploring career opportunities right after your grad/post-graduation. For students who want to take up research roles, many companies in India employ students in their R&D dept. to conduct directional studies in the company’s interest. Additionally, students can also apply for government jobs after completing their pharmacy education.

Conclusion

The pharmaceutical sector is a significant contributor to worldwide healthcare systems. It is composed of both public and commercial organizations that search for, develop, manufacture, and distribute pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical business revolves around scientific research and the development of drugs to prevent or treat illnesses and difficulties. Modern scientific and technical advances have hastened the creation and spread of novel medications with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and fewer adverse effects. Molecular biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmacists are all attempting to improve the performance and accuracy of pharmaceuticals. This page will serve as a resource for students who want to pursue pharmaceutical science after high school but are unsure of what classes to take or which courses are appropriate for them.