Career in Pharmacy
A fast growing
sector, pharma is second only to IT, with a 15% annual growth rate and exports
crossing Rs 12,000 corer. Jobs in the pharmaceutical industry range from those
in sales and marketing to high-end specialist R&D jobs. Depending on the
extent of study and the area you specialize in (pharmacology, pharmaceutics,
hospital pharmacy or quality assurance) study, you can opt for research. Research
openings are growing in India
What They Do
Pharmacists
dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe
use of prescriptions. They also may provide advice on how to lead a healthy
lifestyle, conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, and
oversee the medications given to patients.
Duties
Pharmacists
typically do the following:
- Fill prescriptions,
verifying instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication
to give to patients
- Check whether the
prescription will interact negatively with other drugs that a patient is
taking or any medical conditions the patient has
- Instruct patients
on how and when to take a prescribed medicine and inform them about
potential side effects they may experience from taking the medicine
- Advise patients
about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, and managing stress,
and on other issues, such as what equipment or supplies would be best to
treat a health problem
- Give flu shots and,
in most states, other vaccinations
- Complete insurance
forms and work with insurance companies to ensure that patients get the
medicines they need
- Oversee the work of
pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in training (interns)
- Keep records and do
other administrative tasks
- Teach other
healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients
- Some pharmacists
who own their pharmacy or manage a chain pharmacy spend time on business
activities, such as inventory management. Pharmacists must also take
continuing education courses throughout their career to keep up with the
latest advances in pharmacological science.
- With most drugs, pharmacists
use standard dosages from pharmaceutical companies. However, some
pharmacists create customized medications by mixing ingredients
themselves, a process known as compounding.
The
following are examples of types of pharmacists:
- Community pharmacists work in retail stores such as chain drug
stores or independently owned pharmacies. They dispense medications to
patients and answer any questions that patients may have about
prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or any health concerns that
the patient may have. They may also provide some primary care services
such as giving flu shots.
- Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, and other
healthcare settings. They spend little time dispensing prescriptions.
Instead, they are involved in direct patient care. Clinical pharmacists
may go on rounds in a hospital with a physician or healthcare team. They
recommend medications to give to patients and oversee the dosage and
timing of the delivery of those medications. They may also conduct some medical
tests and offer advice to patients. For example, pharmacists working in a
diabetes clinic may counsel patients on how and when to take medications,
suggest healthy food choices, and monitor patients’ blood sugar.
- Consultant pharmacists advise healthcare facilities or insurance
providers on patient medication use or improving pharmacy services. They
also may give advice directly to patients, such as helping seniors manage
their prescriptions.
Pharmaceutical industry
pharmacists work in areas such as marketing, sales, or research
and development. They may design or conduct clinical drug trials and help to
develop new drugs. They also may help to establish safety regulations and
ensure quality control for drugs.
Some
pharmacists work as college professors. They may teach pharmacy students or
conduct research. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary.
Posts
