Your career after studying Pharmacology

Pharmacy or Pharmacology is one of the major disciplines that come under Biomedical Science and the pharmaceutical industry. It is a field which offers various opportunities along with excellent pay and growth prospects. To become a pharmacist, one has to study pharmacy as a course. The study of pharmacy is at the following levels - Diploma of 2 years duration, degree of 4 years duration after 10+2 and post graduation of 2 years. The technician's jobs are open to diploma holders while graduates opt for retail and hospital jobs. Postgraduates and doctorates are selected for research, production, quality control and management positions.

One can undertake from more than 225 programs in Pharmacy offered by different universities in the country. However, main courses in this stream are the 2 years Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), 4 years Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), 2 years Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) and Ph.d programmes.

Eligibility:

Students completing Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics are eligible for the study of pharmacy. Several universities offer the course.

Career Prospects:

A major role of a pharmacist is to check the mode and precautions regarding the use of medicines dispensed in a hospital pharmacy, prepare special formulations which are usually not available in the market, assist the physician in rendering necessary information about various drugs, their contra-indications, incompatibility etc. Jobs in the pharmaceutical industry range from those in sales and marketing to high-end specialist R&D jobs. Those who have doctoral and post-doctoral qualifications find challenging avenues in R & D labs. Pharmacists are also employed in the chemical industry and food and drug control organizations.

A phamacist can start with salary package of around Rs 4,000. Research Scientists can earn between Rs.10,000 - 40,000 per month, whereas Medical Representative can earn ranging from Rs. 5,000 to 10,000 per month + incentives.