Introduction
PHARMACY and pharmacology are both concerned with drugs / medicines.
However, there is
a difference between the two. Pharmacy is an "applied"
science dealing with the chemistry
and action of drugs and their preparation as medicines. It also includes the
study of diseases
and choice of treatments. There is a strong legal and ethical
responsibility, and the standards
are enforced. Pharmacology is a pure and experimental science which
studies the action of
drugs on living things.
Pharmacists work in three distinct fields; general pharmacy; hospital
pharmacy; and industrial
pharmacy. Both pharmacists and pharmacologists work in research
laboratories and in the
pharmaceutical industry. It is possible for a pharmacist to move into
a career as a
pharmacologist.
The main function of general practice pharmacy is to supply drugs and
medicines against
prescriptions. It can involve preparing medicines. Prescriptions need to be
checked to ensure
that the correct dosage is not exceeded and that there are no errors
such as some medicines
should not be taken together. Many records must be maintained. All
chemical substances and
medical preparations must be correctly stored, stock-rotated and
replenished as necessary. It
is also the pharmacist’s responsibility to ensure that assistants
are supervised and adequately
trained. Customers may ask for advise on the treatment of minor
ailments and about the uses
of different medicines and products. The pharmacist must know when to
refer people to a
doctor for treatment. In addition to medicines, most pharmacists also
stock good cosmetics,
baby-care products, etc. Apart from professional scientific work,
general pharmacists in retail
processes, such as accounting, marketing and stock control.
Additionally, there may be
managerial aspects, such as staff-training and recruitment.
Hospital pharmacists deal with legal, professional and administrative
requirements for the
preparation, and supply of medicines. In addition to dispensing medicines for
use in hospitals,
they also order medicines, check their quality, store them carefully
and ensure their security,
advise colleagues on the action of drugs and any problems occurring
from drug treatment.
There may be some opportunities to take part in hospital research projects
and to impart
knowledge to pharmacy students and other health service personnel.
Industrial pharmacists work in the laboratories of pharmaceutical companies
and allied
establishments on the development of new, safe and effective drugs, on the
production and
quality control of medicinal products and on improving existing drugs.
Pharmacologists investigate the activity of new and established drugs in
physiological
mechanisms (aspects of normal body functions) with the aim of finding new
forms of drug
treatment, the mode of action of existing drugs and the nature of diseases
that may be
treated.
Some may specialise in clinical pharmacology, which deals with the effects of
drugs on a
"sick" human being or in toxicology which explores the effect of
poisonous substances on
living organisms. Some pharmacology graduates work as research students on
specific
research projects. Pharmacology is more a pure science and research
opportunities are open
only to the best applicants. Consequently, many graduates enter work
unrelated to their
degree discipline, like management, personnel and accountancy, etc.
|
ACHIEVER
Alan Lukazewski
Alan Lukazewski is an
highly achieved and
Registered Pharmacist
(R.Ph.), a Certified
Diabetes Educator (CDE)
and Agenet's geriatric
drug specialist.
Recognizing that
medication management
is one of the top concerns
of older adults and/or their
caregivers, Alan will
answer questions about
the use and misuse of
drugs specific to the
needs of older adults. His
services are online at
www.agenet.com
|
Your
Career Options
- Government Organisations
- Industrial Organisations ( R & D depts.)
- Teaching the subject
- Self-business / entrepreneurship
- Research laboratories
- in hospitals & nursing homes
FAQs
Q.As pharmacists
gain experience, what kind of responsibilities do they have?
A. As one rises in the professional
hierarchy the nature of responsibilities evolve to a leadership role in the organisation
of
research projects.
Q.What is the nature of a pharmacists job?
A. The nature of a pharmacists job
is essentially scientific research. Pharmacists have to make use of present knowledge
and build on it with some immediate practical end in view. They have to work
on their own most of the time, but the decision
basically involves team work and so they have to be able to cope with quiet
backroom type of jobs at times.
IT
Perspective
There are several established portals which provide online pharmaceutical
services. The organisations or individuals behind
such portals have a global presence. And, you must accept that this is of
paramount importance in today's e-world. Hence, it
is recommended that you stay abreast with the global situation of the
pharmaceutical industry and increase your knowledge
and contacts to empower yourself dynamically.
You must logically and
constructively exploit the internet to your best advantage. Also, get technically
equipped.
Your
Training
Various levels of pharmacy courses are
available, a diploma in pharmacy being of one to two years duration. The Bachelor
of Pharmacy degree (B. Pharma) is of four years, and the Master’s degree
covers two years.
Eligibility for Bachelor of
Pharmacy courses :
1)
CBSE or equivalent with an aggregate of 50 % marks in science subjects.
2) Age : 17 years.
3) Pattern of examination : qualifying examination in Physics, Chemistry,
Biology and English.
Some places require Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Maths with English.
Colleges of pharmacy : Ahmedabad, Mumbai,
Bangalore, Goa, Pune and Raichur.
Medical Colleges : Dibrugarh, Rothak, Ernakulum,
Calicut, Chennai, Madurai, Vellore, AFMC Pune, Manipal, Cuttack,
Sambalpur, Patiala, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kanpur and Allahabad.
Department of pharmacy in universities :
Varanasi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Sagar, Waltair and Delhi.
Institutes / Engineering Colleges Offering Courses :
Jalpaiguri, Karad, Patna, Pilani and Shimoga.
The scope in the medicine industry is expanding due to the entry of
multi-national companies into the Indian market. There is
a growing demand for pharmacists in the drug and pharmaceutical
industry, drug control administration, laboratories engaged
in research, drug testing laboratories and pharmacy colleges.
Your Personality Traits
For pharmacy or pharmacology work, one must
have an interest in science and the ability to study scientific subjects to at
least the degree level. Clear, logical thinking is important, as are
the power of observation and a sense of responsibility.
Pharmacists and pharmacologists must work very accurately with
painstaking attention to detail. Effective management skills
are essential for supervising the work of technicians and assistants.
For retail work, phramacists also require communication
and business skills.
Are You Eligible?
Various levels of pharmacy courses are
available, a diploma in pharmacy being of one to two years duration. The Bachelor
of Pharmacy degree (B. Pharma) is of four years, and the Master’s degree
covers two years.
Eligibility for Bachelor of Pharmacy courses :
1) CBSE or equivalent with an aggregate of 50 % marks in science subjects.
2) Age : 17 years
3) Pattern of examination : qualifying examination in Physics, Chemistry,
Biology and English.
Some places require Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Maths with English.
Your Preparation
The degree programme in pharmacy - B. Pharm. (Bachelor of Pharmacy) -
is a four - year course which is open to students
who have completed the plus two or equivalent examination with
physics, chemistry and biology or mathematics.
Admission to the B. Pharm. programmes is on the basis of performance in the
entrance examination. This examination
evaluates the candidates knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology
of the level of plus two or equivalent.
The syllabus includes the study of medicinal plant and animals and mineral
sources of drugs; structure and functions of the
human body; the effect of drugs; pharmaceutical chemistry; study of
preparation of medicines; general principles in the
practice of pharmacy in its various branches; and ethics and law
governing pharmaceutical practice.
Those who wish to rise in the profession go on to do their Master's degree in
pharmacy (M.Pharm.) which is a prestigious
qualification in this science.
Your Institutes
Colleges of pharmacy : Ahmedabad, Mumbai,
Bangalore, Goa, Pune and Raichur.
Medical Colleges : Dibrugarh, Rothak, Ernakulum,
Calicut, Chennai, Madurai, Vellore, AFMC Pune, Manipal, Cuttack,
Sambalpur, Patiala, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kanpur and Allahabad.
Department of pharmacy in universities :
Varanasi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Sagar, Waltair and Delhi.
Institutes / Engineering Colleges Offering Courses :
Jalpaiguri, Karad, Patna, Pilani and Shimoga.
The scope in the medicine industry is expanding due to the entry of
multi-national companies into the Indian market. There is
a growing demand for pharmacists in the drug and pharmaceutical
industry, drug control administration, laboratories engaged
in research, drug testing laboratories and pharmacy colleges.
UNIVERSITIES OFFERING COURSES IN B. PHARMA AND M.
PHARMA
* College of Pharmacy, Pushp Vihar, Sector 3,
New Delhi
* Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science,
University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007
* Dept. of Pharmacy, University College is
Science & Technology, Waltair - 530003 (also Ph.D.)
* Birla Institute of Technology, Mesar, Ranchi -
835215 (also Ph.D.)
* L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navarangpura,
Ahmedabad - 580001(also Ph.D.)
* Faculty of Pharmacy, Gujarat University,
Ahmedabad - 380006
* Faculty of Engineering & Technology, M.S.
University, Baroda; Dept. of Pharmacy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- 576119
* College of Pharmacy, Mangalore University,
Mangalore
* Faculty of Pharmacy, Karnataka University,
Dharwar
* Faculty of Medical Sciences, Punjab
University, Chandigarh (also Ph.D.)
* Government College of Pharmacy, Lal Bagh,
Subhaiah Circle, Bangalore - 560027
* Department of Pharmaceuticals Sciences, Dr.
Harisingh Government Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (also Ph.D.)
* Mumbai College of Pharmacy, Kalinga, Mumbai -
400098 (also Ph.D.)
* K. M. Kundmani’s College of Pharmacy,
Plot 47, Dr. R. G. Thandani Marg, Worli Sea face, Worli Mumbai - 400018
(also Ph.D.)
* Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagpur
University campus, Nagpur - 400010 (also Ph.D.)
* Bharti Vidyapeeth’s Poona College of Pharmacy,
Erandvare, Pune - 410001 (also Ph.D.)
* Madurai Medical College, Madurai Institute of
Technology, Dept. of Pharmaceuticals BHU, Varanasi - 221005 (also Ph.D.)
* Dept. of Pharmacy, Jadavpur University,
Calcutta - 700032 (also Ph.D.)
* Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa (also Ph.D.)
Your Responsibilities
The nature of a pharmacist's job is essentially scientific research.
Pharmacists have to make use of present knowledge and
build on it with some immediate practical end in view. They have to work on
their own most of the time, but the decision
basically involves team work and so they have to be able to cope with quiet
backroom type of jobs at times.
As one rises in the
professional hierarchy the nature of responsibilities evolve to a leadership role in the
organisation of
research projects.
Your Working Conditions
The pharmaceutical industry is a recession free industry and demand
generation is no problem. The export market offers
Indian drug manufacturers their best prospects for rapid expansion and better
margins. Prospects for the employment of
pahrmacy degree holders are the drug research laboratories (funded by the
private sector and the government), and also the
pharmaceutical manufacturers in the private and public sectors.
Teaching is also an option open to postgraduate pharmacists or those who have
aquired their doctorates.
Government assignments offer class I pay scales along with the usual
allowances, perquisites and benefits.
Industrial organisations pay according to the level of sophistication
involved in the job as well as the financial outlay for
research earmarked by them.
Your Future Prospects
The job prospects are good for those who
successfully complete an approved pharmacy degree course. A pharmacist is
employed for manufacturing, distributing, retailing and dispensing
drugs. Employment opportunities exist in hospitals, medical
directorates; in inspecting and analysis drugs in the manufacturing
units. There is a wide scope in area like teaching and
research (particularly indigenous medicine). Further training is
possible in specialised research institute like the Bhabha
Atomic research Center. Many pharmacists are self-employed. Others
work with pharmaceutical companies like Boots,
Glaxo, Ranbaxy, etc. Opportunities and posts vary from company to
company in an industry where pharmacists are usually
employed in production and quality control, research and development,
preparation of technical and medical information and
in marketing.
Self - employment has much scope like setting up one’s own chemist /
druggist store, distribution firm for analytical
laboratories, drug farm for producing raw material and growing herbs
and plants.
Your
Remuneration
The remunerations vary according to the
organisation or institution where a pharmacist is employed. Pharmaceutical
companies recruting qualified pharmacists pay a starting salary
between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000. It is possible for
pharmacists and pharmacologists to enter general management posts via
production management and technical - sale posts.
Medical representatives involved in the marketing of drugs also may be
from the field of pharmacy.
Related Occupations
Medicine
Life Sciences
Suggested Readings
1. Appleton
& Lange's Review of Pharmacy by Gary D. Hall, Barry S. Reiss
2. The Green Pharmacy : New Discoveries in
Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's
Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs by James A. Duke
3. The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your
Comprehensive Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing by James A
|
