Career as a Pharmacist

Pharmacists are medication experts who play a crucial role in helping people achieve the best results from their medications. They are licensed healthcare professionals entitled to pharmaceutical duties. Pharmacy combines chemical sciences with health sciences, playing a vital role in the sustenance of human lives. They help in determining the effectiveness of pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of various illnesses. If you are someone who is wondering how to become a Pharmacist after the 12th, then you are at the right place. 

How to Become a Pharmacist?

The minimum criteria considered as Pharmacist qualifications in India is the completion of 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects. A candidate has to opt from many courses like Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), etc and begin their career as a Pharmacist. 

Branches of Pharmacy:

Pharmacy is a wide field with many diverse branches. The main 5 branches of Pharmacy are given below. 

• Pharmaceutics:

Pharmaceutics is a branch of Pharmacy which deals with the process of creation of new compounds that can be safely dispensed for effective treatment. 

• Pharmacy Practice:

Pharmacy Practise in the community is another important branch of Pharmacy. It consists of clinical interventions and pharmaceutical care where prescribed drugs that cause any problems are intervened by the Pharmacist. 

• Pharmacology:

Pharmacology is a branch of Pharmacy where the interaction of drugs with other living organisms are studied. It is the study of drug delivery in the body and its adverse and therapeutic effects. 

• Medicinal Chemistry:

Medicinal Chemistry combines disciplines like Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology and other Biological specialities. This multidisciplinary form of study consists of the synthesis of a potential drug and identifying its side effects on the target organ, metabolism of the individual and healing properties. 

• Pharmacognosy:

Pharmacognosy involves the discovery of medicinal and organic aspects of the drug-making process. It is the study of medicinal drugs that are derived from plants, animals or any natural sources. Pharmacognosy is the study of the physical, biochemical, chemical, as well as biological properties of the natural ingredients of the drug. 

Top Pharmacy Colleges in Bangalore:

After learning about the courses that answer the question- How to become a Pharmacist after the 12th? You might need to know about the top colleges in Bangalore. 

The list of the top Pharmacy colleges in Bangalore are mentioned below:

1. Acharya & BM Reddy College of Pharmacy
2. Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy
   
3. St. John's Pharmacy College
4. Oxbridge Group of Institutions
5. Dayananda Sagar University
6. Government Pharmacy College
7. The Oxford College of Pharmacy

Skills Required to be a Pharmacist: 

Several skills are a must-have for a Pharmacist. Some of those skills include:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Multitasking skills
• Scientific Aptitude
• Analytical Skills
• Counselling Skills
• Active Listening Skills
• Professional Ethics
• Accuracy

Responsibilities of a Pharmacist: 

A Pharmacist carries out a wide range of responsibilities. A few of those responsibilities are given below. 

• Dispensing the accurate medications to the patients
• Discusses with the patients the potential side-effects of the medications
• Educating the patients about the usage of medications
• Educating the staff and other patients about different drug therapies
• Ensures the state and health regulations are adhered to properly
• Administers injections and vaccines upon patients request
• Determining the after-effects of current medications on people with new ones
• Refilling the out of stock medications

Career Opportunities:

Many choices are available for someone choosing a career as a Pharmacist. Some of the major career options for someone with Pharmacist qualifications are mentioned below. 

• Clinical Research Associate
• Higher Education Lecturer
• Medical Science Liaison
• Research Scientist (Life Sciences)
• Pharmacologist
• Physician Associate
• Medical Sales Representative
• Regulatory Affairs Officer
• Science Writer
• Toxicologist

Top Recruiting Companies:

A few of the top companies that recruit Pharmacists are mentioned below.

• Lupin
• Cipla
• Abbott India
• Torrent Pharma
• Glenmark
• Sun Pharma
• Cadila Health
• Aurobindo Pharma
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
• Alkem Lab

Scope:

A Pharmacist can work in a variety of settings. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Pharmaceutical Development and Marketing
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Academic Research
• Retail Pharmacies
• Nuclear Pharmacies
• Compounding Pharmacies
• Administration
• Extended Care Facilities
• Food and Beverage Stores

Pros and Cons of a Career as a Pharmacist:

Every job role comes with its own set of pros and cons. The pros of being a Pharmacist are as follows.

1. Job security is a guarantee as there is always a demand for Pharmacists
2. Freedom to work full-time or part-time based on the chosen workplace
3. When compared to other medical professions, the role of a pharmacist is less stressful. 
4. Can work in a clean and safe environment, unlike many other medical careers. 

The cons of a Pharmacy career are mentioned below:

1. The repetitive nature of work might seem dull at times. 
2. Many Pharmacists are underpaid in the beginning.
3. Long hours of standing might be necessary.

Pharmacist Salary in India:

The Pharmacist salary in India varies depending upon their workplace and experience. The starting salary of a Pharmacist can range from INR 2,50,000 to 3,00,000 per annum while an experienced candidate can earn up to INR 5,00,000 per annum.

Conclusion:

Pharmacists are indispensable when it comes to health care treatments, with the need for their services increasing every day. A career in Pharmacy is ideal for anyone with an aptitude for science and with the right amount of dedication and hard work they can reach great heights.