pharmacy journals, pharmacy

Pharmacy
(from the Greek φάρμακον 'pharmakon' = drug) is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences, and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of medication. The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications, and it also includes more modern services related to patient care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists, therefore, are the experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize medication use to provide patients with positive health outcomes. The term is also applied to an establishment used for such purposes. The first pharmacy in Europe (still working) was opened in 1241 in Trier, Germany.
The word pharmacy is derived from its root word pharma which was a term used since the 1400–1600's. In addition to pharma responsibilities, the pharma offered general medical advice and a range of services that are now performed solely by other specialist practitioners, such as surgery and midwifery. The pharma (as it was referred to) often operated through a retail shop which, in addition to ingredients for medicines, sold tobacco and patent medicines. The pharmas also used many other herbs not listed.
In its investigation of herbal and chemical ingredients, the work of the pharma may be regarded as a precursor of the modern sciences of chemistry and pharmacology, prior to the formulation of the scientific method.
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American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education [251]
American Pharmaceutical Review [1]
Antiviral Agents Bulletin [3]
Apotheke Online [4]
Ars Pharmaceutica, Faculty of Pharmacy.University of Granada (Spain) [5]
Asian Hospital & Healthcare Management, SPG Media Group PLC Brunel House 55 - 57 North Wharf Road London W2 1LA, UK [213]
Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin [6]
Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 40 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia [7]
Australian Pharmaceutical Publishing Company [8]
Australian Pharmacist, 44 Thesiger Ct, Deakin ACT 2600 [9]
Australian Prescriber, Suite 3, 2 Phipps Close, Deakin ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA [10]
Australian Prescription Products Guide, 40 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia [11]
Aztec Publishing, PO Box 20632, Cranston RI 02920 [12]
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British Journal of Healthcare Computing & Information Management, 45 Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey, UK [14]
British Medical Journal [13]
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Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, CJPP Editorial Office, Rm 513 Botterell Hall, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6 [15]
Chemistry and Industry Magazine [18]
China Medipharm Insights [19]
CRIPS (Current Research & Information on Pharmaceutical Science, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar (Punjab) - 160062, India [21]
Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry [22]
Current Medical Research and Opinion, 29 Venture West, New Greenham Park, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 6HX UK [95]
Current Opinion in Drug Discovery and Development [23]
Current Opinion in Investigation Drugs [97]
Current Opinion in Molecular Therapeutics [96]
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Die Pharmazie [24]
Dissolution Technologies [25]
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, Via Doberd˜, 9 - 42100 Reggio Emilia - Italy [28]
Drug Metabolism and Disposition [26]
Drug Resistance Updates [27]
Drug Topics [29]
Drug Wise [30]
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Facts and Comparisons [31]
Farmacia Clinica [32]
Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies (FACT) [104]
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Health Informatics Europe, 45 Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9EQ, UK [33]
Health News Daily [34]
Health Service Journal [35]
Healthcare Ledger Magazine, 264 Exchange St. Chicopee, MA 01013 [261]
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Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, JSSCP, Mysore-15, Karnataka,India [36]
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences [220]
Indian Journal of Pharmacology [200]
Informazioni sui Farmaci, Via doberdo' 9 - Reggio Emilia - Italy [37]
International Journal of Generic Drugs [38]
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, 122 N Bryant Ave Edmond OK 73034 [39]
International Journal of Pharmacy Practice [103]
Investigational Drugs Quarterly, 931 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach, Fl 33409 [40]
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Journal de Pharmacie Clinique (Paris) [57]
Journal of Aging & Pharmacotherapy, The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580 USA [42]
Journal of American Medical Women's Association, New York City [43]
Journal of Applied Research, P.O. Box 463, Newtown, Pa 18940, USA [44]
Journal of Euromed Pharmacy, Msida, Malta [46]
Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580 USA [47]
Journal of Infectious Disease Pharmacotherapy (discontinued), The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580 USA [48]
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry [49]
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice [50]
Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904 [51]
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis [52]
Journal of Pharmaceutical Care [53]
Journal of Pharmaceutical Finance, Economics & Policy, The Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904 [54]
Journal of Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management, The Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904 [55]
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, . [56]
Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology (discontinued), The Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904 [58]
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, from the CSPS page [59]
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, London, U.K. [62]
Journal of Pharmacy Practice [63]
Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, (formally The Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy) [64]
Journal of Pharmacy Teaching, The Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904 [60]
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Medical Journal of Australia [67]
Medicinal Food News [66]
Medscape - Drug Benefit Trends, 134 W29th Street, New York, NY 10001 [68]
Molecular Pharmacology [69]
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New England Journal of Medicine [70]
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Pharma Koreana, Seoul, Korea [71]
Pharmaceutical Field Magazine, UK [304]
Pharmaceutical News [74]
Pharmaceutical Technology [75]
Pharmaceuticals Today [76]
Pharmacological Reviews [78]
Pharmacy Law Newsletter, http://pharm-law.buffalo.edu/ [79]
Pharmacy Management, Bourne House, Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne, Berks, UK [81]
Pharmacy On-Line - The International Forum For Pharmacy [80]
Pharmacy Times [82]
Pharmacy Week [83]
Pharmaziehistorische Bibliographie, - bibliographic database on International Resources on the History of Pharmacy (1989 - 1995) [84]
PJ Online - The Pharmaceutical Journal [72]
Primary Care Pharmacy Journal, 1 Lambeth High St London SE1 7JN UK [73]
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Rx Times Pharmacy Magazine, 305 Whetstone Suite 202 Mascoutah, IL 62258 [379]
RXinsider.com [86]
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Scrip World Pharmaceutical News [88]
Secundum Artem, sponsored by Paddock Laboratories [87]
Senior Arts and Systems [89]
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Tablets & Capsules, 1155 Northland Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55120 [90]
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, PO Box 42696, 8044 Montgomery Road Suite 415, Cincinnati OH 45242 [2]
The Cardiovascular Professional [16]
The Chemist and Druggist, a weekly newspaper for pharmacy in the U.K. [17]
The Consultant Pharmacist, 1321 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA; 22314, USA [20]
The Handbook of Parenteral Drug Administration, Newcastle, Australia [92]
The Journal of Clinical Problem-based Learning [45]
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics [61]
The Journal of Pharmacy Technology, 8044 Montgomery Road Suite 415 Cincinnati OH 45237 [65]
The Pharma Review, ICS House, C-19, Commercial Complex, SDA, Opp. IIT Gate, New Delhi-110016 [186]
The Pharmaceutical Scientist, Newsletter of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society [77]
The Rx Consultant, PO Box 1516, Martinez CA 94553 [85]
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US Pharmacist [91]
Books
British Pharmacopoeia [2]
Business Horizons - Pharmaceutical Publishers, G-59, Masjid Moth, GK-2, New Delhi - 110048, India [1]
Controlled Substances Handbook, P.O. Box 26185, Tampa, FL 33623-6185, USA [3]
Drug Discovery: a History [38]
Essential Spanish for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians [4]
Facts and Comparisons, 111 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, Mo 63146-3098 [5]
Insight Into A Career in Pharmaceutical Sales, 13930 Lake Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107 [7]
King Guide to Parenteral Admixtures, PO Box 10317, Napa, CA 94581, USA [8]
Manual of Use and Intrepretation of Pathology Tests: Third Edition, The Royal College of Pathologists of Australia [47]
MEDLINE: A Guide to Effective Searching, by Brian S. Katcher [9]
Pharmaceutical Press, publishers of Martindale etc. [14]
Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs [29]
Pharmacy Exam Reference Guide [15]
Pharmacy Law and MPJE Review, 10 Parkwyn Circle Delmar, NY 12054 [24]
Pharmacy Prep - Canadian Pharmacy Exam Preparation [41]
Taylor and Francis [36]
The Handbook of Parenteral Drug Administration, Newcastle, Australia [6]
The Merck Manual, 17th Edition, 1999 updated on-line [10]
The Merck Manual of Geriatrics, 2000 [12]
The Merck Manual of Medical Information - Home Edition Online, 2000 [11]
The Merck Veterinary Manual [13]
UNITED BOOKS & PERIODICALS, 7 vishwadham prabhat clny rd no 9 , santacruz east, Mumbai 400055 India [170]
Vendesi Group Pharmaceutical Sales and Medical Sales Consulting, Edmond, OK [39]
Xultbooks.com - Medical books & publications UK, 31 Bazes Shaw New Ash Green Longfield Kent DA3 8QX [149]
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Career scope for pharmacy professionals

Career scope for pharmacy professionals

From ancient times Pharmacy is known as a branch associated with healthcare services. The word Pharmacy has been derived from the Greek word "pharmakon", meaning drug. Today, the discipline of Pharmacy has made enormous progress and has matured as a distinctly independent branch as pharmaceutical sciences, mainly through the acquisition of the wealth of knowledge, research and a vast array of drugs & therapeutic remedies. Unlike the other curricula Pharmacy is a product, as well as, service related discipline, increasing its scope two-fold.

It is involved in all the stages related to a drug, from its discovery, development, action, safety, formulation, use, quality control, packaging, storage, marketing, etc. Thus, today''s pharmacy professional is a ''drug expert'' in the real sense. The profession of pharmacy has transformed into a hub for the ''Global Healthcare'' and evolved as a multidisciplinary, multifaceted curriculum.

The drugs & pharma industry is a multibillion-dollar business. In the rapidly changing global scenario and the implementation of GATT & TRIPS in India, now a matter of only a couple of years, the pharmaceutical industry and professionals will play a vital role in shaping up our national economy. This new decade is thus, bound to have an ever growing demand of pharmacy professionals not only in the country, but even worldwide. Anticipating this demand the government has taken special steps to boost this unique discipline having a blend of both -- technology, as well as, health-sciences.
Some of the Indian universities like the University of Pune, Nagpur, Vadodara, Chandigarh etc., have given a special status to the pharmacy education by setting up a separate faculty of pharmaceutical Sciences. In India Pharmacy Education is a two-tier system After 12th Science of State Board one can opt for any of the two courses, namely Diploma (D.Pharm.) and Degree (B.Pharm). However the Diploma Students can also be included in Degree course directly in Second Year B.Pharm. However, in the coming years the Government & Pharmacy Council of India is planning to abolish the D Pharm course and make B Pharm the minimum qualification for any individual to become a pharmacy professional.
The regulatory bodies for pharmacy colleges are namely, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the respective University to which the college is affiliated to. Today pharmacy education like the pharmaceutical industry is also in the process of globalization. In order to have uniformity in course contents, requisite standards of education, technical faculty, facilities and infrastructure at international levels, colleges are going for accreditation and certifications from internationally approved regulating agencies.
Career Opportunities
A career in pharmacy, unfolds a vista full of opportunities leading to a golden future for a young career aspirant. The job opportunities, working conditions, job satisfaction and monetary benefits are excellent.
The various vocations a pharmacy professional can opt, for, are discussed below;
Production & Manufacturing:
A pharmacy professional can work as a production person (chemist, officer, executive, manager, vice-president), involved in the production of bulk drug & intermediates or formulations and dosage forms.
Industries in the cosmetics, soaps, toiletries segment also hire pharmacy professionals. Other segments where opportunities exist are the field of dental products. Dental medicine is a specialized field and so is its production. These involve products dedicated to dental care and hygiene like toothpaste, mouthwashes, dental cavity fillers, etc.
Blood and plasma products is another area hitherto untapped in India, but has immense potential worldwide and is coming up fast in the country. The products involve, blood of various groups, production of blood bags, haemoglobin, plasma, serum, clotting factors, antigens, antibodies, etc.
Production of biological & biotechnological products, surgical dressings, medical devices & equipment, ayurvedic/ homoeopathic / unani medicines also involve the presence of pharmacy professionals in its production.
Other areas where pharmacy professionals are required are in production of veterinary medicine, perfumery, fragrances, nutraceuticals
Research & Development:
This forms the heart of any industry, as it is the key to growth and sustenance. Mainly M Pharms & PhDs are in great demand in the various areas of Pharmaceutical R&D. Other areas where professionals are required are:
- New Drug Discovery Research (NDDR): Discovering a new drug has assumed prime importance in the post-GATT era.
- Process Development (P&D): One of the important areas in bulk drugs industry is developing viable processes for the manufacture of drugs and intermediates for their commercial production.
- Formulation & Development (F&D): The success of any pharma company lies in the quality of its products, i.e., its formulations & dosage forms.
- Clinical Trials, Bioequivalence studies, Toxicological Studies: These are some of the areas of clinical research which are in high demand as they are involved in the systematic evaluation of potential drug substances prior to getting them approved by the authorities.
Analysis & Testing
Any drug or dosage form for human use has to be of excellent quality and purity, free from any impurities. The permissible limits of impurities, which either occurs through the manufacturing process, equipment, raw materials, handling or storage, are very stringent. Therefore, Quality control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) are the most integral areas of the drug & pharmaceutical industry. Highly specialized and trained staff is required to handle sensitive analytical procedures & sophisticated equipment. MPharm & PhDs in Pharm Analysis /Q.A. are highly preferred for this job.
Marketing
Any business is incomplete without the marketing & sales aspect, as the universal fact is that any thing produced has to be sold. The Pharma. Sales & Marketing is a highly technical field & offers excellent opportunities for the pharmacy graduates. Additional qualification like M.B.A. adds to their arsenal. An aspirant of a highly bright future can enter through various openings like starting his own retail or wholesale drug store or becoming a professional sales representative (known as medical Sales Representative or M.R.) to the levels of International Marketing & Exports. The monetary rewards and perks are the best.
Hospital Pharmacy
Another opening for a Pharmacy professional is as a "Registered Pharmacist" in the hospitals or drug stores. This is a very sought after professional especially in countries like the U.S.A. & Canada. The trend is already set in many hospitals in the country. This is a key position and the Pharmacist plays an important role form preparing prescription to the patient''s medial history after the Medical doctor has diagnosed the disease. The Pharmacist is the best-informed qualified drug expert whose advice is sought by every body regarding the dosage, incompatibilities and side effects of drugs.
Community Pharmacy
This concept, which is already very old in developed Western countries, is rapidly catching up the Healthcare service in our country. Through the services of community pharmacy a Pharmacist becomes a vital link between the patients and the products i.e., drugs. The pharmacist also serves a vital link between the patients and other healthcare professionals, especially the medical experts.
- Counseling the patients regarding the use of the drugs and dosage forms
- Providing up-to-date information on drugs/dosage forms to the patients, as well as, medical staff.
- Maintaining patient records & history
- Involved in the usage of self-diagnostic kits by the patients for disorders like diabetes, hypertension etc.
- Providing supply of Home care dosage forms.
Academics
Excellent opportunities for the professionals are available in teaching profession also. As per the A.I.C.T.E. norms the minimum entry-level qualification as lecturer is M.Pharm. This is a profession associated with job satisfaction and social status as teaching is considered to be noble profession. The higher posts in the hierarchy and Sr. Lecturer, Reader, Asst. Professor, Professor, Principal etc. The emoluments are satisfactory.
Besides teaching Academic related opportunities involve positions on Research Posts and Training programs.
Regulatory Affairs
Locally the F.D.A. (Foods & Drugs Control Administration) is the main regulatory body governing and implementing the rules and regulations for the Drug & Pharma industry. The F.D.A. has state branches and sub-branches all over the country. The job opportunities for Pharmacy graduates are excellent and range from the levels of a Drug Inspector (D.I.), Sr. D.I., Deputy Drug Controller, Asst. Drug Controller, Drug Controller and finally D.C.I. (Drug Controller of India). This is highly respected and sought after profession. A graduate in Pharmacy is the minimum eligibility.
With globalization process reaching out to India, the geographical barriers have become obsolete. Any country will have to compete and trade globally in order to progress and survive in the years to come. The major drugs and pharma. Companies have realized this fact and have stepped into the global area of competitive trade. If an Indian manufacturer wants to sell his drug or formulation to a foreign country it is mandatory that he has to fulfill all the statutory requirements laid by the regulatory authorities of that country. Also, his product needs to be perfectly as per the specifications laid down by the concerned regulatory authority. Thus, in order to enter into trade with the foreign countries it is mandatory to get the necessary approvals and sanctions as per the formats given by local regulatory authorities. E.g. Approvals to be obtained from U.S.F.D.A. for U.S.A, T.G.A. for Australia & N>Zeeland, M.C.A and M.C.M. for U.K. & European countries and ICH guidelines going to be uniform for international levels.
Since, the business involved is worth multibillion dollars; this branch has assumed tremendous significance and is bound to grow enormously, in the Post-GATT era. Many big players in the drugs & pharma. field has already established separate Regulatory Affairs Departments in their companies. Regulatory experts are thus in great demand. Since, the field is highly technical Pharmacy professionals again fit in these positions.
Similarly, Patents and Trademarks, I.P.R. Experts are also in high demand as far as the pharma. industry is concerned.
Documentation, Library Information Services & Pharma. Journalism:
The Regulatory Affairs as well as, Patenting Processes and Issues involve a lot of documentation work to be done and submitted to the concerned Regulatory Authorities, in a highly specialized and technical manner. Pharmacy professionals are again fitting in the bill. Most of the major Indian Pharma. companies have established separate Documentation Departments with a highly technical & skilled staff for this purpose.
Similarly, the R & D & Q.C. Departments of the Pharma. Companies need a wealth of Technical information, which needs to be updated regularly, in order to match the pace of global competition. Therefore, Library Information services is another field in much demand as far as the Pharma. industry is concerned. Furthermore, with the advent & boom of the Information Technology, Bio-Informatics and Electronic Data Retrieval Systems, this field is already scaling new heights.
Pharma- Journalism is another area filled with great potentialities. This requires specialist technical personnel like pharmacy graduates on the editorial staff to cover the various aspects. There is already a very lucrative business in this field.
Consultancy
This is an ideal opportunity for highly technical and experienced pharmacy professionals to earn handsomely as self-employed entrepreneurs, even after the age of retirement. Consultancy services in Pharmacy are offered in various fields against very attractive financial fees
- Regulatory Affairs
- Documentation
- Approvals
- Manufacturing Processes
- Analytical Series
- Research
- Market Surveys & Sales Promotion
- Information Retrieval
- Data Management
- Turn Key Projects, etc.
Opportunities Abroad
Golden opportunities galore for qualified Pharmacy professionals in various courtiers including the U.S.A., Canada, European Countries like U.K., France, Germany, African Countries like S. Africa, Nigeria, Yemen, Gulf Countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South East Asian Countries like Singapore, Korea, Japan, etc. and the Australian Continent including N.Zealand.
There are plenty of higher education and research opportunities in the developed western countries along with excellent job openings. The pharmaceutical career is one of the highest rewarding careers in these countries.
The monetary job benefits abroad are highly exciting, job profiles in African Countries like, andNigeria, Yemen & Gulf Countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait mainly as pharmacists in drug stores and hospitals.
In developed Western countries the job opportunities are manifold and almost in any one of the ten vocations discussed above.
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Education in India : Pharmacy

Education in India : Pharmacy


Looking for a Career Option as pharmacists ? This section features Pharmacy as a career option, elaborated with reference to the job profile, personality traits required, the courses and training involved, premier institutions and future prospects.
In our day-to-day life pharmacists play an important role, as they are very much into research and manufacture of drugs. As a pharmacist.Thus, pharmacy is closely associated with scientific study.
Pharmacy as a career option has always been in demand. India being a huge nation of about a billion populations, diseases both minor and major has been a curse upon the weak and the poor. In the previous centuries and almost till the middle of the 20th century killer diseases such as acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, depression, tuberculosis, measles, anaemia etc have been affecting thousands every year. With the advancements in medical science most of these diseases have been brought under control, with the help of high powerful antibiotics and other life saving drugs. This is where pharmacy steps in to fill the void.
Pharmacists study the chemistry of drugs, their origin, procedures for drug development, their preparation, dispensing, their effects and eventual use for prevention and treatment of disease. The complexity of drug therapy and the dangers of drug abuse has brought into focus the need of pharmacists' special skills to maintain a rational approach in the realm of drug treatments.

Personality Traits



Pharmacists must have a scientific bent of mind and should have interest in medicine. The academic acumen of pharmacists can range from average to superior. Pharmacists in research and industries should have excellent academic potential. An ability to work methodically, carefully and accurately is needed for work in hospitals, stores, laboratories and shop floors. Sympathetic attitude, caring mannerisms and a friendly disposition are required for dealing with patients.
Excellent communication skills are required by pharmacists engaged in marketing and in the production units of industries. Pharmacists in management positions must have effective management skills. In the retail sector, additional skills in merchandising, selling and financial management are required.
Pharmacists work in research, processing and manufacture of drugs. Biotechnological research has added a dynamic potential to the work of pharmacists. The investment in research and development is envisaged to expand the sphere of business activity, both in the country and abroad. Multinational joint venture partnerships have given a thrust to this growth, which has targeted business of almost 40,000 crores, approximately 3.8% of the market share by the turn of the century.

Courses/Training



After Class XII (PCM/B), the study of pharmacy is at the following levels – Diploma courses are of 2 years' duration, degree courses of 4 years' duration.
1. After graduate degree in pharmacy, M Pharma course of 2 years' duration can b undertaken.
2. Graduates in pharmacy can opt to do postgraduate study in biotechnology, particularly if they aspire to become research scientists.
3. Diploma holders can find work work as technicians.
4. Graduate pharmacists can opt for retail and hospital jobs.
5. Postgraduates and doctorates are selected for research, production, quality control and management positions.
Those with B. Pharm and above can work in production section in pharmaceutical companies, product marketing, quality control, research, etc. They are also employed by large hospitals and research centres. There is a demand for pharmacists in western countries also, and many Indians have fared well in this field abroad.

Institutions



Please click here for the list of the Pharmacy Institutes in India.
Placements And Prospects



Those opting for D. Pharm. are employed in the above organizations at a lower level, and they also find vast avenues of employment in pharmacies and medical shops, for whom it is compulsory by law to employ a pharmacist.
Pharmacists work in four areas:

1. Hospital pharmacist – The tasks:Procure, stock, prepare and dispense medicines, drugs and other medical accessories. Undertake responsibility for stock control, storage, placing orders, labelling and financial budgeting and account-keeping for the dispensary. The pharmacists are expected to meet patients, doctors and nurses to discuss the supply of medicines and the appropriate form of drugs for administration.

2. Retail pharmacists – The tasks:In medical retail stores, the pharmacist prepares and dispenses drugs on prescription to the general consumer With the growing availability of pre-packaged doses, the pharmacist monitors the drug sale on the basis of prescriptions and dosages, and gives over the counter advice on how to use prescribed drugs
In the retail sector, pharmacists run chemist's shops As medical representatives, they inform and educate the medical practitioners of the potential uses of the drug or health product and its administration along with side effects or precautions for its use. The job entails regular visits to medical practitioners, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, health centres. There is usually a lot of touring to be done.

3. Industrial pharmacists – While most firms are involved in the production of preformulated preparations, a growing number of firms are developing new formulations through autonomous research work. Industrial pharmacists carry out clinical trials, where drugs are tested for safety and effectiveness work in research and development to develop new formulations the production job entails management and supervision of the production process, packaging, storage and delivery work in marketing, sales and quality control.

4. Research pharmacists - Research pharmacists are engaged in research activities in pharmaceutical firms, research organisations and laboratories.
For Diploma in Pharmacy
i. As a Pharmacist in Govt/Semi Govt/Private Hospitals.
ii. They can start their own Medical Store.
For Bachelor in Pharmacy
i. As a Medical representative or a medical detailing man.
ii. Marketing Managers or a Sales Manager.
iii. Drug Inspectors.
iv. Drug Controllers.
v. Graduate Pharmacist
vi. Chief Pharmacist.
vii. As Lecturers for D.Pharm and B.Pharm Colleges etc.
For Masters in Pharmacy:
i. As Lecturers for B.Pharm Colleges.
ii. Basic degree for Ph.D.,
iii. Research Assistant or Research Associate etc.
Pharmacy teachers with B.Pharma having put in 5 years of minimum teaching experience in any institution approved by AICTE are also eligible for M.Pharma course.
The prospects-
Registered pharmacists work in health centres, hospitals and medical dispensing stores, in pharmaceutical industry, in the manufacturing, analytical and research and development divisions. They also work in drug control administration as Drug Inspector, Analytical Chemist, in the Customs office experts on drugs and pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Supplies and Rehabilitation as Assistant Director of Supplies, medical representatives and executives in pharmaceutical sale divisions.

A number of multinational companies like Hoechst, E Merck and Smith Kline Beecham are collaborating with leading Indian companies as well as government labs, thus offering many job options for qualified professionals. Most large pharmaceutical firms have research divisions requiring skilled manpower. Fresh postgraduates and Ph Ds are recruited as analytical research scientists/associates or as product development research associates.
The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) Lucknow; National Chemical Laboratory, Pune; the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad also employ researchers.
Drug and pharmaceutical firms employ graduates, postgraduates and doctorates with a background in pharmaceuticals as management trainees for their production units, operations, as well as for quality control and quality certification. With adequate experience, these people rise to senior management positions. More than 20,000 industries manufacturing drugs and pharmaceuticals exist in India, employing almost 1.5 million people. hhh

pharmacy,pharm. D

Taking pharmacy studies to global levels
The introduction of the Pharm D. course is set to change the country’s pharmacy education landscape. About the course and the institutions where it has been sanctioned so far.
CATCHING UP: The introduction of the course will enable pharmacy students in India to acquire professional qualifications that are of international standards.
Pharmacy education in the country is set to undergo a sea-change in the next few years. The introduction of Pharm D., a six-year integrated postgraduate programme, is expected to take the country’s pharmacy education to international levels.
According to the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), which introduced Pharm D. this year, the new course is meant to “raise the standard of pharmacy profession in India in terms of pharmacy practices and also to make Indian pharmacy degree acceptable to other developed countries, including the U.S. and the U.K.” Although Pharm D. had been introduced in the U.S. way back in 1955, it took more than half a century for India to realise the inherent advantages of this programme. By 2002 more than 90 per cent of the pharmacy colleges in the U.S. had shifted to Pharm D. programme, doing away with courses such as B.Pharm., B.S. (Pharmacy), M.Pharm. and M.S. (Pharmacy).
According to K.G. Revikumar, principal of Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi, India today remains the only country in the world offering a two-year diploma in pharmacy (D. Pharm), which is of no value at the international level. “Even our B.Pharm degree does not qualify one to practise pharmacy in a developed healthcare system,” said Mr. Revikumar.
Pointing a finger at the current level of community medicine followed in the country, where a pharmacy degree is not required to dispense medicine, Mr. Revikumar said that “ours is the only country where traders are permitted to be in the profession, and professionals in the trade.” Ideally, according to Mr. Revikumar, pharmacists should be the first point of contact in a healthcare system. And in hospitals, they are the last point of contact, where patients are administered medicines. Now the onus is on the society to educate clinicians and healthcare professionals about the importance of pharmacy in modern medicine. Pharm D. will be the initial step in utilising the experience of pharmacists for the benefit of the healthcare system, pointed out Mr. Revikumar.
The PCI has sanctioned Pharm D. course in 24 pharmacy colleges across the country, which include six in Karnataka, seven in Tamil Nadu and eight in Andhra Pradesh. One college each in Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh has been selected for Pharm D. Al Shifa College of Pharmacy at Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district is the only college in the State to get the PCI approval this year.
One requirement for sanctioning Pharm D. is that the pharmacy college should be attached to a 350-bed hospital. Pharm D. is a six-year course providing intensive training in pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy services. The course will include five years of clinical and community-based theory with ward rounds and one-year internship in hospitals. Pharm D. students will work in coordination with doctors to treat patients. In the final year, the student will come out as a clinical pharmacist who will be an essential component of healthcare equal to doctors.
Pharm D. graduates will study in detail about drugs for different diseases. Pharmacists will advise patients about dose, action, and side effects.
According to R. Saraswathi, director of Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Pharm D. will be equivalent to M.D. or M.S. and will provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills of current diagnostic methods, treatment modalities, drug delivery system, therapeutics outcome, pharmaco economics and pharmaco therapy to meet the rapid changes in the healthcare system.
PCI has approved an intake of only 30 students per batch to maintain the quality of Pharm D. The curriculum will include regular pharmacy subjects and sufficient exposure to clinical pharmacy practices.
The course, according to B. Suresh, president of PCI, is framed in such a way that it can meet international standards. Students with Plus-Two or D.Pharm can join this course. B. Pharm and M. Pharm graduates can also join, but the course duration for them will be reduced to three years.
Pharm D., meant to bring Indian pharmacy education on a par with the western system, is expected to provide plenty of opportunities to Indian students to practise pharmacy abroad. Pharm D. students can pursue careers in various fields, including institutional practice; community pharmacy practice; managed care; and so on.