Pharmacy courses after 12th grade can be an exciting career path to pursue in India. The field has gained immense popularity over the years, providing ample job opportunities and growth prospects.
If you have a strong interest in medical science and research, coupled with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail, then pharmacy might be the perfect career choice for you.
In this article, we will explore various pharmacy courses available after 12th grade in India that can help you map your career path.
Pharmacy Education: Courses to Pursue
1. Degree Programmes
Pharmacy degree programmes are the backbone of the pharmacy industry. The courses provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge of medicines, their formulations, and their use in treating various illnesses.
After completing a degree programme, you will be ready for a career in the pharmacy industry and can work in various roles as a pharmacist, researcher, or analyst.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) is a four-year undergraduate course that provides an understanding of pharmaceutical science and its applications. Students learn about drug design and synthesis, drug delivery systems, pharmacology principles, drug action mechanisms, and other related topics.
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is a six-year doctoral programme that focuses on clinical pharmacy practice. The first two years emphasise mathematical and scientific principles, while the remaining four years provide rigorous training in clinical practice.
- Master’s degree courses such as M.Pharm., M.Sc. Clinical Pharmacology and MBA Pharmaceutical Management offer specialisations in various fields such as pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacognosy, quality control/assurance, etc. These courses help students acquire advanced knowledge that makes them experts in their selected field.
Here's an overview of the eligibility criteria for these courses:
2. Certification Programmes
Certification courses in pharmacy help students specialise in a particular field or enhance their knowledge of existing fields. They are usually shorter than degree courses and focus on providing practical experience.
Some popular certification courses include:
- Advanced Clinical Research
- Drug Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmacovigilance
Here's a list of some popular certification courses along with their fees and duration:
3. Diploma Courses
Diploma or upskilling courses in pharmacy provide advanced knowledge in specific areas such as medical sales or clinical research. They are shorter programmes and can be pursued after completing a degree or while working.
Two popular diploma courses are:
- Diploma in Medical Sales Representative (MSR) is an excellent option if you're interested in pharmaceutical sales. The course provides sales training for medical representatives who promote products to healthcare professionals. The course duration is 6 months and costs anywhere between ₹25,000-30,000.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research Management focuses on clinical research processes such as drug development, study design, data collection, analysis, and management. The course duration is 6 months and costs anywhere between ₹1-2 lakhs.
4. Sub-Specialties in Pharmacy Courses
Pharmacy education has several sub-specialties that focus on various aspects of the industry. Some popular sub-specialties include:
- Hospital pharmacy focuses on the use of medicines in hospitals, including drug administration and dispensing, drug therapy monitoring, and patient counselling services.
- Industrial pharmacy deals with the manufacturing of drugs and their quality control. The field covers everything from drug design to formulation, packaging, and distribution.
- Clinical research involves conducting clinical trials to test new drugs or medical devices. Clinical researchers play a crucial role in developing new treatments for various diseases.
Job Opportunities and Salaries
The pharmacy industry offers an array of job opportunities across various sectors, such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, academia, research institutions, etc.
Here are some popular job roles:
- Pharmacist: A licenced professional who dispenses prescription medications to patients based on physician orders. Starting salaries range from ₹2-4 lakhs per annum.
- Drug Inspector/Drug Regulatory Officer: A government job that involves regulating the quality of medicines sold in India by inspecting drug factories and monitoring compliance with legal standards. Starting salaries range from ₹4-6 lakhs per annum.
- Pharmacologist: A research-focused job that involves studying how drugs work in humans and animals at a molecular level. Starting salaries range from ₹4-8 lakhs per annum.
- Research Scientist/Medical Writer/QA-QC Manager: These roles require advanced knowledge of pharmacology principles and involve conducting clinical research studies or ensuring that products meet quality control standards. Starting salaries range from ₹3-6 lakhs per annum.
Licencing, Registration, and Certification Requirements
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is responsible for regulating pharmacy education and practice in India. It sets standards for syllabus, curriculum, and licencing requirements for various job roles in the industry.
Table showing the licencing requirements across job roles:
Career Pathways for Pharmacy Graduates
Pharmacy courses provide graduates with diverse career paths across different industries. Hospitals and healthcare organisations offer roles like clinical pharmacist, public health specialist, and regulatory affairs officer, while pharmaceutical companies provide opportunities in areas like research and development, quality assurance, and sales and marketing.
Be Part of a Thriving Pharmacy Industry
The pharmacy industry in India is estimated to reach ₹4 lakh crore by 2025, with a CAGR of 15.92% from 2020 to 2025. With the Indian government's focus on healthcare and the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, there is an increasing demand for pharmacists.
WIZR is here to help guide you through your education journey and ensure you have access to all the necessary tools to make your mark within the pharmacy industry in India.
FAQs
1. Who earns more: a pharmacist or a nurse?
Pharmacists earn more than nurses in India, with an average salary of ₹3-5 lakhs per annum for a fresh graduate. Salaries increase with work experience and specialisation.
2. Can I switch to another field of medicine after completing a pharmacy course?
Yes, you can pursue other fields of medicine after completing your pharmacy degree by taking relevant entrance exams like NEET or GPAT.
3. Which sub-specialty has the most growth in the pharma sector?
Clinical research and drug discovery are booming fields with high demand for trained professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.
4. Do Pharmacy courses require NEET?
Yes, most colleges offering pharmacy courses in India require NEET scores for admission along with other eligibility criteria such as minimum marks scored in 12th standard examinations.
