Scope of Pharmacy
Some of the options a pharmacy professional can venture into are mentioned below;
1
Research & Development
Graduates, Postgraduates and PhD holders are highly in demand in the field of research for new drug development, formulation development, clinical trials and toxicological studies. Graduates can be placed as Research Assistants and Scientists in the concerned fields.
2
Sales & Marketing
The technical arena of sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products provides good monetary benefits to professionals. It helps in gaining designations that may vary from Marketing Representatives to Product Specialists and Managers.
3
Analysis & Testing
Analysis and Testing are indispensable procedures in the drug manufacturing industry, especially in maintaining proper Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA). Professionals may be placed as analysts in government drug testing labs and manufacturing companies.
4
Hospital and Community Pharmacies
It is mandatory in developed countries to hire pharmacy graduates to dispense medications in the community as well as in hospital pharmacies. The case may be the same even in India in future. In developed countries, doctors make the diagnosis and pharmacists decide the medicines and their dosage.
5
Regulatory Bodies
There are bodies that control and regulate medicines in India and elsewhere. In the United States, it is USFDA. India has its own standard body called Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), which maintains that its quality control measures are stringent enough to ensure that drugs are safe. They can work in the capacity of drug inspectors and even adorn the position of the best Drug Controllers of India.
6
Production and Manufacturing
Production and manufacturing of medicines, biotechnological products, surgical dressings/medical devices and equipment, Ayurveda/Homeopathic medicines, and Veterinary medicines need professional involvement in the production of cosmetics, toiletries and dental products. Graduates may be placed as Production Supervisors, Controllers and Managers.