Career Opportunities in Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical industry is a vast and growing in India. Number of hospitals are increased, nursing homes and pharmaceuticals companies all over the country is a clear indication of the growing scope in Pharma area. Pharmacy offers reasonably good career opportunities both by way of jobs as well as in terms of starting your own business. The job avenues for a pharmacist are with pharmaceutical industry, government departments, universities, teaching hospitals, investigation and research institute etc.
Within the pharmaceutical industry you might be involved in activities relating to the development, formulation, production or marketing of new drugs for clinical use. Drug control administration and armed forces also offer a wide range of opportunities to pharmacists. Appointments are also available in sale promotion work as medical representatives. As a Medical Representative he keeps the medical practitioner informed about the new drugs and treatments developed by various pharmaceutical companies and thus indirectly promote their sales.
Career Options For Pharmacist Includes :
The easiest way to enter the profession is through pursuing a diploma course in pharmacy conducted by various state level government polytechnics institutions. Duration of the course is 2 years and the minimum admission qualifications are a Pass in 10+2 examination (Academic stream) in Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics) or any other examination approved by pharmacy council of India or equivalent to the above said examination. Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical jurisprudence, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy, Bio-Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, human Anatomy – and Physiology, Health Education and Community Pharmacy, Drug Store and Business Management are the fields of training generally imparted in the diploma course.
Job Opportunities :
One can join as a Hospital Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist, Community pharmacist, or Family pharmacist. Employment opportunities also exist in medical stores retail chemists, whole sale dealers & manufacturing chemists for cosmetics, One can begin as an enterprenurer for repacking of drugs & chemicals, as also as sales or medical representatives. Analysts in chemical / drug analysis laboratories are also in demand and pharmacy graduates get good offers in the field. Technicians in biochemistry & pathology lab, Pharmacist in banks & financial institutions, Railways, agencies & in defense forces etc are opportunities in the Government sector which offer stable career and life style. As a drug inspector or government analyst he is to make sure that the drugs manufactured and sold, are of standard quality.
Remuneration :
Pharmacists get reasonable salary in government and private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic laboratories etc. The average starting salary of a pharmacists ranges between Rs.6000/- to Rs.10000/- per month in hospitals and in clinics. Those working in private hospitals and clinics have more income than those of government employees. Those who are doing private practice are earning handsome returns depending upon their skill and recognition. Those working in private sector pharmaceutical companies have basic pay of Rs.12000/- to Rs.20000/- depending upon qualification and experiences. Medical Representatives are earning on an average Rs.10000/- to Rs.15000/- per month.
Other Career Opportunities