If there is one career that has always been thriving and growing, then it is the Pharmacist Career. This is despite the fact that Pharmacists have been underestimated and have not attained recognition that should have in the medical healthcare sector where only doctors and nurses are revered.

Most have a wrong notion about Pharmacists. We see them as professionals who just sit in the chemist’s shop or Drug store and sell medicines to the customers as prescribed by the doctors. However, believe me there is much more than that and that is what we are going to discuss in this blog.

What is Pharmacy?

Pharmacy is the branch of science which teaches you the art of discovering,producing,preparing,dispensing,reviewing, researching, and monitoring medications. Its aim is to ensure safe, effective, and affordable use of medicines. It links health science with pharmaceutical science and natural science.

What is a Pharmacist?

Pharmacists are authorized medical professionals who can legally dispense medicines to the public, based on the doctor’s prescription. They must have an excellent knowledge about the composition of drugs, their chemical, biological, and physical properties, their use, expiration dates and the manufacturing companies where they are made. The pharmacist career thrives in in hospital pharmacies, industrial R&D units, or sitting in their own drug store.

 

What are the types of Pharmacists? 

There are several types of pharmacists. Here are the different job roles of the pharmacist in the health and pharmaceutical industry.

• Biochemist 

A Biochemist conducts research of the physical principles of living things and biological processes such as cell development, growth, heredity, and diseases. He conducts experiments to alter the properties of DNA, RNA, and cells to study various diseases and then develops medicines to cure them.

• Chemist 

A chemist specializes in various areas of chemistry such as analytical, physical, and theoretical, macro-molecular, organic, medical and material chemistry.

• Medical Sales Representatives

The job role of medical sales representatives is to market the company’s product where they work to consumers,physicians,pharmacists, and nurses, including medications, prescriptions medication, and medical equipment.

• Clinical Research Coordinator 

Clinical Research Coordinator helps in providing plans and tracking clinical trials of experimental medications to determine their advantages and risks.

• Drug Inspector 

Drug Inspector plays a senior level role in a career as a pharmacist. He evaluates the effectiveness, reliability, and safety of medication from its manufacture until the sale. He audits pharmaceutical shops and collects samples to confirm if synthetic drugs exist.

• Regulatory Affairs Officer 

A Regulatory Affairs officer works for clinical,pharmaceutical,testing, and other manufactures of medicines to guarantee that the products of their organizations follow legal requirements.

 

 Pharmacist Job Description 

A pharmacist plays a significant role between the doctors and medical staff. They are considered a bridge between the patient and the doctors as they deal with both.

Here are the roles and responsibilities for Pharmacists.

• Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other specialists.
• They provide information to patients about medicines and their use.
• Pharmacists plan, monitor and evaluate drug programs.
•  They maintain records such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, inventories etc.
• They must order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs.

 

How can you start a pharmacist Career?

As the field of Pharmacist continues to evolve, providing greater scope to pharmacists, so do the skill requirements from the pharmacist by the industry. To get a pharmacist job, you need to possess some skills that can help you get a long way in your career.

• Accuracy 

In the pharmaceutical industry it is very important to have an eye for detail. There is no room for mistakes. Human errors like filling in the wrong type of medicine for the patient can have serious consequences for him.

• Communication skills 

Your career as a pharmacist demands excellent communication skills on your part. This is because you will have to prescribe medicines to patients without any error and later check the knowledge of it.

• Craft Knowledge 

A pharmacist must be able to describe the medicines to the patient written in the prescription and explain to them the effect of the medicines on their bodies.

• Multitasking 

Pharmacists must conduct many activities while may even have consequences of life and death. They have to respond to various requests, communicate with other patients, and maintain certain administrative protocols in a short time.

• Analytical Skills 

 

Sometimes, even experts like pharmacists find it difficult to understand how a particular drug works on the patient’s body. They must pursue their work with an objective mind, refer to relevant references and take rational and sensible approach in medication to patients.

• Mathematical Skills 

Most of us underestimate the importance of science and mathematics for pharmacists in their work. However, pharmacists require string mathematical skills in their work. Numerical skills are important to pharmacists in their daily work like measuring the number of dosages that a patient requires to figure out more complex variable dosages.

• Managerial Skills 

Pharmacists require managerial skills to multitask. At the senior level, a pharmacist is responsible for coordinating technicians and vending machines as well as handling expenditures, controlling stock levels, and ensuring accurate documentation.

• Interpersonal Management 

Pharmacists must take care of the whims and fancies of the doctors who do not want to be challenged. At the same time, they must manage the hordes of anxious patients and their family members. This requires a lot of management and organizational skills on the part of the pharmacist to avoid ugly scenes and angry outbursts.

• Supervisory skills 

Pharmacists must be able to train their junior pharmacists as well as able to supervise them.

 

Education Qualifications for Pharmacists 

To attain the above skills, one must undergo training and education to become suited for a pharmacist job requirement. You will have to pursue a formal education or training program if you want to become a pharmacist in India.

First you must complete your 10 + 2 in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, from a recognized board.

Then you must opt for a bachelor’s degree by taking and clearing the entrance exam for pharmacy. Then you must register yourself in the state’s pharmacy council license.

You can go for higher studies in Master’s or Doctorate level if you want to do research.

Pharmacy has become one of the most sought-after professional courses in India due to the rapid growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

In India pharmacy entrance exams are conducted for the candidates who want to pursue their career in pharmacy.

However, you must appear for the pharmacy entrance exams in India to gain admission in a pharmacy college at both state and national levels.

 

• Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Tests (GPAT)

GPAT is a three-hour entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency for entry into the Pharma Program.

• Andhra Pradesh Engineering Agricultural and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (EAPCET) 

One must qualify for this exam to gain admission in BPharm courses in Telangana. The exam is conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University (JNTU), Hyderabad.

• Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) 

MHT CET is a state level entrance exam for admission to various engineering and pharmacy programs at various colleges throughout Maharashtra.

• Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE-Pharmacy) 

UPSEE Pharmacy Ia an entrance exam for Pharmacy conducted by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Uttar Pradesh.

• Odisha Joint Entrance Examination – Pharmacy (OJEE-P)

OJEE-P is an entrance exam for pharmacy conducted by the Odisha state government.

• Jamia Hamdard Pharmacy, New Delhi 

Jamia Hamdard pharmacy is conducted by Jamia Hamdard university.

• Goa Common Entrance Test (GOA CET) 

GOA CET is a common entrance exam for pharmacy conducted by the department of technical education, Goa.

• Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS-P) 

The pharmacy exam is conducted by Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

• Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) 

KCET is conducted by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)

• Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GUJCET) 

GUJCET is conducted by Gujarat Secondary and Gujrat Secondary Education Board (GSEB)

 

• MAHE Entrance Test (MET) 

This entrance exam is conducted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education or Manipal University.

• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education (NIPER JEE) 

NIPER JEE entrance exam is conducted by National Institue of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali.

• Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) 

BITSAT is an entrance exam conducted to get admission in pharmacy in Birla Institute of Technology and Science.

You can go for the Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) course if you want to open your own pharmacy or drugs store. You can directly get into the second year of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course if you have already taken up this course.  

What are the best colleges for Pharmacy in India? 

According to the Accreditation council of Pharmacy education there are 144 schools and colleges of pharmacy in India in 2020. Out of this, about 84 colleges provide Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy. After taking and clearing the entrance exam for pharmacy stated above you can get admission in various pharmacy colleges in India in both graduate and master’s level.

Let us look at a few of the top colleges of pharmacy at graduate level.

• Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
• University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh
• Institute of Chemical Technology – [ICT], Mumbai
• Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences – [MCOPS], Manipal
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research – [DIPSAR], New Delhi
• Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
• Bombay College of Pharmacy – [BCP], Mumbai
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science – [BITS], Pilani
• Indian Institute of Technology – [BHU IIT], Varanasi
• St John’s Pharmacy College, Bengaluru (Bangalore)

 

Here are a few of the best colleges for you to pursue your post-graduation in pharmacy.

• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research – [NIPER], Mohali
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research – [NIPER], Hyderabad
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research – [NIPER], Kolkata
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research – [NIPER], Guwahati
• Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi

• University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh
• Institute of Chemical Technology – [ICT], Mumbai
• Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences – [MCOPS], Manipal
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research – [DIPSAR], New Delhi
• Bundelkhand University, Jhansi

 

A few of the common subjects taught in a pharmaceutical course are Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Quality Assurance, Drug Development, Pharmaceutical Management, Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics and Drug Testing.

 

In case you want to go abroad for pharmacy you can get admission by passing their entrance tests. Here are a few of the universities and colleges abroad that offer courses in pharmacy.

• University of Oxford
• Monash University
• Harvard University
• University of Toronto
• UCL
• University of Cambridge
• University of Nottingham
• University of California
• University of North Carolina
• University of Manchester

 

Are Pharmacy Intern Jobs available to Students? 

Yes, one can get an internship in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry after completing his course in pharmacy to establish a successful career as a pharmacist. Various organizations, hospitals and pharmacies employ interns with adequate skills and abilities and later for pharmacy jobs. Even higher education institutions and private nursing homes and pharmacies offer internship opportunities. You can also discover internship opportunities through online recruiting portals. Interns get hands-on knowledge and experience through internships.

What is the Scope of a Pharmacist Career?

Pharmacy is a dynamic, versatile, growing and increasingly diverse profession. It is an exciting profession because there are so many pharmacist opportunities for service. With the phenomenal rate of advances in pharmaceutical advances, the healthcare industry has created a sea of opportunities for pharmacy professionals.

Pharmaceutical careers are one of the most rewarding careers in the developed countries. Pharmacists represent the third largest healthcare professional group in the world. In India there are 8 lakh pharmacists working in different capacities and applying their knowledge and skills.

The Pharmacists perform various tasks in the pharmaceutical industry although not in direct contact with the customers but mostly behind the scenes.

Pharmaceutical Industry in India

The Pharmaceutical Industry is one of the largest and most advanced in the developing countries. It provides employment opportunities to millions besides providing lifesaving drugs to its vast population.

In terms of value the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry ranks globally as the 13th largest market by the sales value ($54.6 billion in 2023. It will hit $57 billion in the year 2025 and $163.1 billion in 2032 exhibiting a growth rate of 12.3% in the year 2024 to 2032. It is ranked 3rd largest industry in the world in terms of sales. It accounts for 8% of the world’s sales by volume and 2% by value. India is one of the top five bulk drugs manufacturers in the world.

What are the requirements for a Pharmacist Career? 

Your career path as a pharmacist depends on the level of education you possess. For example, you can become an entry-level pharmacy clerk with a high school diploma but will require professional or Doctoral degrees in pharmacy for advanced positions and best paying pharmacist jobs.

Areas of employment for Pharmacist

A career in pharmacy can offer you diverse areas of employment across various sectors of the healthcare industry. The pharmacist career outlook is very bright. Here are some of the key areas where pharmacists can find employment opportunities.

• Consultant Pharmacist Jobs

Pharmacists can also work as consultants and start their own consulting firms.They can offer expertise in areas such as medication management, medication safety, healthcare quality improvement, or pharmacy business development.

• Pharmacy Education and Academia 

Pharmacy educators play a vital role in shaping the future of the pharmacy profession.They can pursue careers in academia.They can work as pharmacy educators, teaching and mentoring future pharmacists.They contribute to curriculum development, conduct research, and provide guidance and mentorship to students.

• Community Pharmacies Jobs 

Community or retail pharmacies are the most common setting for pharmacists. They work in chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, or grocery store pharmacies, providing medication dispensing services, patient counselling, over the counter medication recommendations, and health screenings.

• Hospital Pharmacy Jobs 

Hospital pharmacies employ pharmacists to provide comprehensive care within the hospital setting where they collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective medications to the patients.

• Clinical Pharmacy 

Clinical pharmacists work in healthcare institutions like hospitals, clinics, and outpatient settings.They are involved in direct patient care, performing medication reviews, monitoring medication therapy, conducting drug utilisation evaluations, and providing pharmacotherapy recommendations.They also specialize in areas like cardiology,oncology,critical care,paediatrics,geriatrics,or ambulatory care.

• Long –Term care Facilities 

Long-term care facilities include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centres. They employ pharmacists to oversee medication management for residents.

• Pharmaceutical Industry 

Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry play a crucial role in ensuring drug safety, efficacy,and regulatory compliance. Here they work for various pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or regulatory agencies. They contribute to drugs development, clinical research, drug safety, and monitoring, medical affairs, and pharmacovigilance.

• Pharmacy Benefit Management 

Pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs) hire pharmacists to manage prescription drug benefits for health insurance plans.

• Government and Regulatory Agencies 

Government agencies such as Food and Drug Administration (F.C.A.), Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention (CDC), or the World Health Organization (WHO). employ pharmacists in roles related to drug regulation, public health, policy development, medication safety, and research.

• Pharmacy Informatics 

Pharmacists who have expertise in pharmacy informatics work in healthcare organizations, optimizing the use of technology in medication management systems, electronic health records, and data analysis.

 

 Pharmacist Job Positions 

Here are a few of the pharmacy tech jobs related to the pharmacist industry that you can pursue as a career.

• Pharmacy Clerk 

As a pharmacist clerk you will have to fill prescriptions for customers, complete cash register prescriptions for customers, complete cash register transcriptions and update patient information records.They also see that the pharmacy area is clean and well arranged.They assist pharmacists in ordering stock and entering it into inventory.

• Pharmacy dispenser 

A pharmacy dispenser assists the pharmacist in managing inventory, placing wholesale orders, and processing paperwork. Hè selects medical drugs or devices according to the patient’s prescription order and puts them in a suitably sized container.They also update the patient’s personal and insurance information on the computer.

• Pharmacy assistant 

Pharmacy assistant helps pharmacists with regular administrative tasks like storing prescription records, maintaining inventories, preparing invoices, auditing and ordering office supplies.

• Pharmacy technician 

A pharmacy technician works under a licensed pharmacist in a hospital or clinic.They manage the pharmacy workstation involving medications ordered for inventory. They also keep the shelves clean, well-stocked and in neat order.

• Pharmacist 

A pharmacist has a thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical products and their uses.They access and fill medical prescriptions for patients. They order and stock medications and arrange them properly on the pharmacy shelves.They also maintain medication and patient records.

• Chemotherapy Pharmacist 

A chemotherapy pharmacist prepares and dispenses chemotherapy drugs that are used in cancer treatments. They are responsible for accessing the quality of these drugs and making them available to cancer hospitals and treatment centres.

• Nuclear Pharmacist 

A Nuclear pharmacist is responsible for preparing, testing, and dispensing radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing and treating different kinds of cancers and many other diseases. They also supervise the handling, packaging and delivery of radiopharmaceuticals. They also manage the safety of the work environment and disposal of hazardous waste materials.

• Long term care pharmacists 

A long-term care pharmacist oversees pharmaceutical services for patients in a long-term care facility.They evaluate the patient’s health, dispense necessary medications and resolve any pharmacy-related concerns with the help of physicians, nurses and medical staff at the hospitals or clinic.

• Staff pharmacist 

A staff pharmacist dispenses prescription orders, administers immunizations and counsels patients about how to take their medications.They analyze and interpret reports, implement and monitor safety controls, and conduct operational and quality assurance reviews. They also comply with legal policies and regulations.

• Director of pharmacy 

The director of pharmacy oversees the pharmacy’s operations and Management. He implements strategic plans, evaluates service standards and boost performance for optimum efficiency. He makes decisions to introduce operational programs and safety policies or update existing ones.

• Pharmacy Manager 

A pharmacy manager manages the pharmacy’s daily operations. He is responsible for providing efficient customer services, handling medications and other products and in maintaining a patient medication database.

• Pharmacy Specialist 

A Pharmacy specialist is responsible for assembling and maintaining patient histories and reviewing them to evaluate a patients’ self care needs. He informs the patients about self-care medication, products and services.They also inform the patients about enrollment requirements and schedule meetings with appropriate medical staff and financial counselors.

• Clinical Research pharmacy jobs 

Clinical pharmacists educate patients on proper medicine dosage and monitor them for health problems. They do this by working in cooperation with physicians and other clinical health providers.

• Health Outcomes pharmacists 

Health outcomes pharmacist plans and implements various clinical pharmacy patient care programs like immunization services, medication therapy management programs and disease programs and disease state management. They must ensure that the pharmacy adheres to FDA regulations and follows standard operating procedures.They support and connect with patients and pharmacy staff with the help of pharmacy system information technology.They also stay updated on the new developments taking place in the field of pharmacy.

• Pharmacologist

Pharmacologists discover and develop therapies to treat cancer and various other diseases in hospitals, bio-pharmaceutical companies and other organizations.They often collaborate with research scientists in various clinical development programs to conduct quantitative modelling, clinical trial simulations and safety tests.

 

Career-Path for a Pharmacist

The pharmacist career path can be divided into two steps.

• Junior Pharmacist 

A Junior Pharmacist is an entry level professional who verifies the dosage of the medication prescribed and checks the side effects of the medications on the patient. He educates the patient on how and when to take the medicines and its side effects.

The average salary of a Junior Pharmacist ranges from 0.2 lakhs to 3.5 lacs per annum with an average salary of Rs 2 lacs per annum.

  2. Senior Pharmacist 

A senior pharmacist is an experienced professional who reviews the safety levels of newly manufactured drugs. He also recommends drugs with proper diets and the dosage of each medicine to the patients.

The average salary of a senior pharmacist is around 3 lacs per annum.

 

The Future of Pharmacist 

The pharmaceutical sector in India is rising at a fast rate. There has been a spurt in foreign investment in this sector. Cheap labour and low production cost in the main factors for this growth compared to western countries.

The field of pharmacy continues to evolve providing pharmacists with diverse and expanding career paths across the healthcare industry. And you must have a very good educational background to be a part of this evolving industry.