Career Counselling :

   Careers in Pharmacy Profession

The B. Pharm. course is concerned with knowledge about drugs and their effects on human beings and also the research and development of drugs, their production, delivery to the patients and out come of their therapeutic treatment.

The course offers diverse opportunity in India and much more in other developed countries. Pharmacist may practice in Pharmaceutical industry, in Community Pharmacy, in Hospital Pharmacy, in Biotechnology industry, in Government offices, in a College or in many other departments.

The brief sketches of opportunity pursued by the pharmacy graduates are mentioned below:

a.  Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmacy graduates can open their own pharmaceutical industry after getting experience in industry. They are also eligible to work in research & development (R&D) of Pharmaceutical companies, testing of medication in human and animals, drug production systems, quality control, quality assurance, government regulations, marketing, public relations, sales and management.
Pharmacist with additional specialized education such as M. Pharm, MBA, Ph.D. or Postdoctoral study, are much preferred in pharmaceutical industry.

b.  Community Pharmacy

The community pharmacists are responsible for the safe and efficient dispensing of prescription medications, counseling of patients for correct use of drug and “over the counter” (OTC) medication use and keeping records of patient, their health, illness and medications.
Community pharmacists also provide information and advise about medications to physician and other health professionals.
In addition, community pharmacists increasingly provide pharmacy services and supplies to the increasing number of patients who are getting health care at home and they are actively involved in community service.

c.  Hospital Pharmacy

Hospital pharmacist advise the health professionals about the actions, interactions and side effects of drugs and counsel patients about medications. They help in preparing medicine, dispensing prescriptional drugs and handle the special products like radioactive medicines, artificial kidney fluid and plastic inserts etc. in the hospital. Many hospital-based pharmacists are also administrators and influential members of important committees of hospital.

d.  Other Opportunities

The pharmacy graduates are also eligible to work in the food and drug administration department, the drug enforcement administration, the Public Health Service, the armed forces, the National Institutes of Health, and many other government agencies. They also find ample opportunities in managed care organizations, home health care agencies, general and specialized clinics, or as drug information specialists in a hospital or other health care organizations.
The pharmacy graduates can also choose for teaching profession and administrative careers at leading college and universities around the world. Others can make their career path in writing and editing for trade and scientific journals or publishing houses, in marketing communication, or working in pharmacy associations.