PHARMACY (B. PHARM) AS A CAREER PATHWAY AFTER HSC

By Dr. Supriya Shidhaye
Principal
Vivekanand Education Society's College of Pharmacy
The long-awaited standard XII and MHT CET 2022 results have been recently declared, unleashing new opportunities as well apprehensions. It is time for serious considerations and decision-making towards a career path that not only suits one’s interests and aptitude but also assures good growth prospects. With rapidly advancing technologies in the pharmaceutical industry of India and changing educational patterns, pharmacy is where you might find your calling!

For every student with an affinity for health care as a profession, Pharmacy is an option worth consideration. Pharmacy deals with discovery, development and use of medication for patient’s care. A pharmacist tailors dose regimens for individual patients, assuring maximum safety, cost effectiveness and patient compliance. “Pharmaceutical Sciences’ deal with the design, development, production and use of medication by utilizing the blend of the basic sciences, viz., Physics, Chemistry and Biology with applied sciences viz., Pharmaceutical technology and Clinical sciences. The
Pharmaceutical Industry of India is valued at USD 42 billion. It is expected to expand at an annual average growth rate of 10% driven by an aging population, increasing lifestyle diseases, steep growth in disposable incomes and increasing penetration of local drug companies in the global market. It offers high opportunities of growth in the field of commercial roles, R & D and clinical studies/ trials. India is recognized as global hub for manufacturing, R & D work and clinical trials of new molecules. Even during the recession period, the pharmaceutical industry of India was not much affected because it satisfies the essential human need of medicines ensuring incessant development of healthcare products.

The eligibility criteria for admission to 4 years’ graduation course to Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) is 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Mathematics 40% for reserved category) in H.S.C or its equivalent examination. with non zero score in NEET/MHT-CET examination. The entire procedure of admission is conducted through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) governed by the State Common Entrance Test Cell Government of Maharashtra (Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org). This procedure passes through the stages of:
 Registration and Document Verification at Facilitation Centre.
 Filling of Option Form for Centralized Admission Process (CAP) Rounds I, II & III and Reporting for Admission as per Allotment.

The list of colleges with the contact details are displayed on the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Maharashtra State website. There are more than 150 colleges offering B. Pharm. degree across Maharashtra, out of which 29 colleges (with a total intake of about 2500) are affiliated to University of Mumbai. While selecting the college it is important to take into consideration the infrastructure, the results of the last few years, experience and background of the faculty members and most importantly professionalism and ethical outlook of the management, while running the institution. It is also important to understand the scope for growth of the institution and the vision of the management, for same.

During B. Pharmacy degree course, students study the detailed journey of active Pharmaceutical ingredients, from its synthesis to finally marketing to the consumers in the finished form such as tablet, syrup, inject able or topical formulation. The branch of Pharmaceutics deals with the development of various dosage forms, ensuring their effectiveness, safety, stability and patients’ acceptance. It opens up job opportunities in R & D as well as the production department in pharmaceutical industry. The branch of medicinal and analytical chemistry discovers and synthesizes bulk drugs with the help of advanced techniques such as Computer aided drug designing. It also gives training for standardizing the drugs and its dosage form in terms of its strength, identity, quality and purity. This branch offers scope to work in R & D, Quality Control and quality assurance departments of the pharmaceutical industry. With some regulatory or legal background, one can opt for IPR and patent cell or regulatory affairs. The subjects Anatomy, Physiology &  Pharmacology gives the detailed study of human body, effect of drugs on the body, mechanism of action of the drugs and treatment of diseases/disorders based on this knowledge. This branch offers scope to work in medical, clinical research and R & D department of pharmaceutical industry. There is also scope to work in the Pharmacovigilance or data management portfolio. The branch of Clinical research deals with clinical trials on human beings to establish activities of new drugs and products. The subject of Pharmacognosy studies, medicinal plants and establishes the activities of their active constituents. Subjects of Biotechnology and Microbiology, study the use of microorganisms or biological substances such as enzymes, to produce genetically engineered products such as human insulin for diabetes, monoclonal antibodies for cancer treatment, peptides used in cardiac failure and stroke treatment. There are more than 20 brands of biotechnology based product with individual sales more than USD 1 billion.

After graduation, there are opportunities for post graduation in streams such as Pharmacy, Management, Regulatory affairs and patents, Clinical research in India or abroad. Recently AICTE, Govt., of India has announced 5 1⁄2 years integrated course of Master in Pharmacy Management after std. XII. To know more about B. Pharmacy (B. Pharm) course that is offered at VES College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, you can visit us at https://vespharmacy.ves.ac.in/ for further information. This institution offers the perfect blend of practical as well as theoretical knowledge required to excel in the field of pharmacy. It has state-of-the-art central instrument lab (CIL), libraries, ICT enabled smart classrooms along with a highly qualified & dedicated team of experienced faculty with expertise in the field of  pharmacy.
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