Career as Pharmacist
Since the inception of society, various plants, herbs, and roots have been used as herbs for curing ailments in humans. But the practice of professional pharmacy was established in the mid-nineteenth century.
Pharmacists are professionally trained individuals with immense knowledge of medicines. They specialize in the right usage and storage of medicines. Pharmacists have proper knowledge and guidance of how each medicine works and provide them to patients and consumers accordingly. They fill prescriptions provided by doctors.
Along with this, the pharmacists contributes in the research and development department by conducting various drug tests. They work in pharmacies, medical clinics, hospitals, universities, and government institutions.
The role of pharmacists is to provide the prescribed drugs to the patient. They are responsible for explaining the side effects of the medication and the proper way of taking it. If a patient is already on an existing medication for any long or short time disease, it is important to tell the pharmacist so that they can guide the patient regarding any reactions between the medications. They also provide information about diet and exercise and other general health problems.
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Eligibility Criteria
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Educational Qualifications:
- For a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm): Candidates should have passed 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics) or an equivalent examination.
- For a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm): Candidates should have completed 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics) or an equivalent examination. A minimum aggregate percentage is often required, which can vary by institution.
- For a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D): Candidates should have completed 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics) or an equivalent examination. Some institutions may also require a B.Pharm degree.
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Age Limit: There is generally no specific age limit for pursuing pharmacy courses, but candidates should meet the age criteria set by the institution they are applying to.
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Entrance Exams: Some phar...
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- Pharmaceutical Knowledge
- Clinical Expertise
- Communication Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Patient Counseling
- Ethical Judgment
- Problem solving
- Adaptability
- Regulatory Awareness
- Organizational Skills
Types of Job Roles
- Attain knowledge: The pharmacists should attain as much knowledge about various drugs and medicines as possible in order to guide the consumers while dispensing the medicines.
- Transparency: They must keep transparency while dispensing the drugs by discussing their potential side effects with the consumers.
- Refilling medicines: They must ensure to keep an eye on the stock of medicines and refill the stock timely to be able to provide the medicines to the patient on immediate and urgent basis.
- Follow rules: The pharmacist must alway play by the rules and regulations set by the central and state government.
Admission
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Application Form: Obtain the application form from the respective pharmacy college or university. Many institutions offer both online and offline application options.
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Fill Out the Form: Complete the application form with accurate and required details. Ensure that you provide correct personal information, educational background, and contact details.
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Submission of Form: Submit the application form along with the necessary documents and application fee, if applicable. The documents may include 10th and 12th-grade mark sheets, certificates, identity proof, passport-sized photographs, and any other documents specified by the institution.
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Entrance Exams (if applicable): Some pharmacy colleges/universities conduct entrance exams for admission. If your chosen institution requires an entrance exam, make sure to register for it, prepare well, and appear for the exam on the designated date.
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Merit List/Entrance Exam Results: After the entrance exam (if applicable), the institution will typically release a merit list or announce the entrance exam results. This list ranks candidates based on their performance in the entrance exam and/or academic qualifications.
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Counseling/Interview (if applicable): Some institutions conduct counseling sessions or interviews for shortlisted candidates. During counseling, you may be required to select your preferred branch of pharmacy and institution based on your rank and availability of seats.
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Seat Allotment: Based on your rank, choice of college, and availability of seats, you will be allocated a seat in the pharmacy course.
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Document Verification: Once you are allotted a seat, you will need to undergo document verification. This step involves confirming your eligibility and submitting original documents for verification.
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Payment of Fees: After document verification, you will need to pay the course fees within the specified time frame to secure your admission.
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Admission Confirmation: Once you've paid the fees, your admission will be confirmed. You will receive an admission letter from the institution with further instructions.
Exam
- For those pursuing a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), the curriculum delves into fundamental areas such as Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy. Additionally, subjects like Community Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Mathematics, and Drug Store Management equip students with practical knowledge essential for pharmacy practice.
- At the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) level, the educational voyage expands to encompass an array of subjects. Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy remain pivotal, supplemented by Pharmaceutical Analysis and Clinical Pharmacy. These subjects cultivate a comprehensive understanding of drug development, pharmaceutical sciences, and the clinical aspects of pharmacy.
- For those aiming to attain the pinnacle of pharmacy education through a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D), subjects shift towards advanced clinical aspects. Clinical Pharmacy assumes prominence, intricately intertwining with Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacovigilance, Clinical Research, and Drug Interaction Monitoring. This level of education hones the skills required for patient-focused pharmaceutical care, drug therapy optimization, and clinical interventions.
- Collectively, these subjects lay the foundation for your journey as a pharmacist, fostering a deep understanding of pharmaceutical science, drug interactions, patient care, and regulatory standards.
Prep Books
- "Pharmaceutics: The Science of Dosage Form Design" by Michael E. Aulton
- "Pharmacology: Principles and Practice" by Miles Hacker, William S. Messer, and Kenneth A. Bachmann
- "Pharmacognosy" by C. K. Kokate, Purohit, and Gokhale
- "Pharmaceutical Analysis" by David G. Watson
- "Modern Dispensing Pharmacy" by P. S. Goyal and Nirmala Goyal
- "Essentials of Medical Pharmacology" by K.D. Tripathi
- "Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians" by Kathy Moscou and Karen Snipe
- "Pharmacovigilance: Principles and Database Systems" by Ronald D. Mann
- "Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics" by Roger Walker and Cate Whittlesea
- "Pharmacy Practice and the Law" by Richard R. Abood
FAQ's
To become a pharmacist in India, you can pursue a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) after 10+2 with Science, a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) after 10+2 with Science, or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) after 10+2 with Science and a B.Pharm degree. Each level of education equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills for pharmaceutical practice.
Pharmacists in India play critical roles in ensuring safe medication practices. They interpret prescriptions, dispense medications, provide patient counseling, manage inventory, and contribute to patient care. Additionally, pharmacists are involved in pharmaceutical research, drug formulation, and regulatory compliance.
Yes, pharmacists in India need to be registered with the respective State Pharmacy Council after completing their education. This registration is essential to practice legally as a pharmacist and is governed by the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
The PCI conducts an exam for pharmacists known as the Pharmacy Council of India Qualifying Examination. To prepare, focus on subjects such as Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy. Utilize study materials, previous years' question papers, and consult recommended reference books.
