How to Become a Pharmacist?

Interested in a career in the public healthcare sector? While most people like to follow the conventional path of becoming a doctor or nurse, some like to try other not-so-conventional routes, such as becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists are medical professionals with the required expertise in the field of drugs and public health and play a critical role in educating the public on using the prescribed medication accurately. If this sounds like something you are looking forward to trying out, this blog shares detailed insights on How to become a pharmacist in India.

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Who Is A Pharmacist?

Pharmacists are professionals in the field of medicine who specialize in delivering drugs to patients based on the prescriptions issued by doctors. They are also required to communicate with patients and make them understand how to take the prescribed medication in case they have any doubts or queries. They can better perform this role due to the advanced knowledge they possess regarding the composition, benefits and uses, and potential side effects of a drug, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC).

Responsibilities Of A Pharmacist

Here are some of the key responsibilities that pharmacists are required to perform as part of their role:

• Making available all required medications to the patients, both prescription and OTC
• Offering vaccinations and injections for flu as per the patient’s request
• Complying with rules and regulations defined by the central and state governments
• Reviewing prescriptions shared by patients for accuracy
• Educating the patients and other staff of the healthcare setting on different drug therapies
• Helping patients understand the exact way to take the prescribed medication along with the correct timing, frequency, and dosage of the drug
• Refilling medications that are out of stock
• Educating patients on the potential side effects of the medication (if any)

Key Skills Required For A Pharmacist

Pharmacists need the following skills to excel in their careers:

1. Basic knowledge of computers to check database records, retrieve data, and update records of patients
2. Multitasking ability to efficiently carry out various duties such as entering information about all drugs in the database, informing patients on the use and benefits of a specific medicine, and reviewing drugs before dispensing to check their expiry dates and dosage instructions
3. Complete knowledge of the latest drugs in the market and clinical theories
4. Ensuring that the medication prescribed by the doctor is safe for the patient and unlikely to cause any potential side effects
5. Keen attention to detail to accurately understand the doctor’s prescription
6. Effective communication skills to convey to patients the exact dosage of medication to be taken

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How To Become A Pharmacist In India?

Becoming a pharmacist in India is a rewarding career choice, offering the opportunity to work in healthcare, dispensing medications, and providing expert advice to patients. The following steps can be pursued to become a pharmacist in India:

Step 1: Complete 10+2

Completion of higher secondary or 10+2 is mandatory in the Science background. Choice of combinations in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics can be taken for Bachelor’s degree programs.

Step 2: Bachelor’s Degree to Become a Pharmacist in India

You can choose either a Bachelor’s (BPharm) or a Diploma in Pharmacy (DPharm). Students interested in opening their pharmacy upon graduation should ideally opt for a Diploma, while graduates in BPharm are eligible to apply for jobs in top pharma companies. There is a third option - Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), which can be chosen immediately after completing 10+2 and is a six-year course.

Step 3: Continue With A Master’s

This may include a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Post-Baccalaureate), both of which help advance your knowledge and impart specialized skills for career progression and advancement in the pharmacy domain.

Step 4: Pursue A PhD

This step is optional and ideally suited for those with a keen interest in the research side of the pharmacy subject.

Step 5: Secure A State License

After obtaining all of the above qualifications, you would need to obtain a state license to be able to practice as a professional pharmacist. Apply to the pharmacy council of your respective state for a license, and you can apply only once.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Pharmacist?

It entirely depends upon the level of qualification you wish to pursue. For instance, it is possible to complete a Diploma in Pharmacy in 2 years and start your pharmacy immediately after 10+2, while a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing may require 4 years to complete.

Pharmacist Salary In India

The average earning potential of a pharmacist salary in India is likely to vary on different factors - qualification earned, professional experience, and location of job.

A fresher in the field who has just graduated with a B.Pharma degree is eligible to earn anywhere between Rs 1.92 lakh and Rs 4.8 lakh per annum. The figures used are for reference only and may vary based on the above-mentioned factors.

How To Become A Pharmacist Online

We studied in detail the pharmacist degree requirements and How to become a pharmacist in India. One of the easiest and also the most popular ways currently trending is pursuing an online degree in pharmacy from an accredited university.

Amity University Online offers easily affordable and accessible courses online on B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and more, depending on the qualification you wish to pursue and your future career goals. All you need to do is sign up for the program on Amity Online and get instant access to top-quality education from any part of the world. The degree is recognized globally and allows you to practice as a pharmacist anywhere in the world.

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