Are you one who is passionate about healthcare, technology, science, research, and computer technology? Then you might find the field of pharmacy really interesting. The pharmacy itself is a very versatile and dynamic. Basically, it’s a myth that pharmacists can only work in chemist shops, dispensaries, and medical stores. But, let me tell you one thing, it is not true. In this article, we are going to highlight some important factors that you should keep in your mind to pursue the academic path to become a pharmacist. First, let’s take a look at what is Pharmacy and its opportunity as a career.

Pharmacy as a Career:

In short, Pharmacy is the science and technique of preparing, researching, and distributing medicinal drugs. As a career, it helps the person to know how to prepare drugs, and advocate medicine dosages that patients should take so that they can get well from their illness, or remain healthy. Nowadays, pharmacy career and its scope include the platform of global healthcare which has given rise to medicinal, clinical research,  manufacturing, and marketing, for maintenance or improvement of a patient’s life quality and provides them information about medicinal drugs.

Now, who is a Pharmacist?

In simple language, Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who help people to ensure maximum therapeutic benefit from their medicinal treatment. The role of a Pharmacist is not bounded between buying and selling medicines but they are also involved in clinical and drug research and in many cultures & countries also diagnose injuries & illnesses.

The way to become a Pharmacist:

Pharmaceutical education comprises a mixture of practical classes, theory classes and examinations, and compulsory industrial or hospital or community training of varying periods relying upon the course selected. In order to make a career in pharmacy, you need to stay updated with the current information regarding medicines. You need to follow the following steps to become a Pharmacist.

Step 1: Take Science stream in your 10+2

Step 2: Pursue Undergraduate Education in Pharmacy (Diploma in Pharmacy and Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy)

Step 3: Pursue Postgraduate Education in Pharmacy (Master’s Degree in Pharmacy (M.Pharm), Doctor of Pharmacy)

Step 4: Pursue Ph.D. in Pharmacy

Fig 1: Full Guide to become a Pharmacist

Working Areas of a Pharmacist:

A Pharmacist or pharmacy professional can work in different community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, mail-order pharmacy centers, managed care organizations, and government agencies. Some famous work settings of a Pharmacist is-

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Practice Settings
• Education and Research
• Drug Control Department
• Clinical Research Organizations (CRO’s)

Fig 2: Different Career Opportunities of a Pharmacist 

Scope of Pharmacy:

A career in the pharmaceutical sciences is full of opportunities. A pharmacy professional can venture into:

• Research & Development
• Analysis & Testing
• Marketing & Sales
• Hospitals
• Regulatory Bodies

I hope this information is enough for you to have a brief knowledge about a pharmaceutical career. We will try to come with more interesting facts and information about the current topic soon. Lastly, if you have any kind of suggestion or recommendation then please share it with us.