9 reasons to pursue a programme in pharmacy

The pharmaceutical industry of India is renowned for its production of generic drugs and affordable vaccines and holds the third position worldwide in terms of pharmaceutical production by volume. According to report, the sector contributed to around 1.32 per cent of the Gross Value Added (at 2011-12 constant prices) of the Indian Economy in 2020-21. The annual turnover of pharmaceuticals in the fiscal year 2021-22 was $ 42.34 billion.

And there is more. The pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach $65 billion by 2024 and to $130 billion by 2030. At present, the pharmaceutical industry is valued at $50 billion and India is a major exporter of pharmaceuticals, with over 200-plus countries served by pharma exports. India supplies over 50 per cent of Africa’s requirement for generics, 40 per cent of generic demand in the US, and 25 per cent of all medicine in the UK.

Therefore, career opportunities in this sector will prove to be lucrative in the coming years. Here are nine reasons why those who have just given their class XII Boards can pursue a course in pharmacy.

1. High demand for pharmacists: Pharmacy is a crucial field in healthcare and the demand for pharmacists is growing rapidly. With the expanding healthcare industry in India, the demand for pharmacists is expected to increase even further in the coming years.
2. Wide range of career opportunities: A diploma in pharmacy can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in areas such as drug development, manufacturing, quality control, research, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, marketing, and more.
3. Good salary: Pharmacy is a lucrative field and pharmacists are well-paid professionals. With experience and expertise, pharmacists can earn a good salary.
4. Opportunity to work in different settings: Pharmacists can work in a variety of settings like hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, research labs, pharmaceutical companies, and more. This allows for a diverse and interesting career.
5. Contribution to society: Pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system by ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines. By pursuing a diploma in pharmacy, one can contribute to the well-being of society.
6. Intellectual challenge: Pharmacy involves a combination of Science, Math, and healthcare. This makes it an intellectually challenging field that requires continuous learning and growth.
7. Job security: Pharmacists enjoy job security as the demand for their services is not likely to decrease any time soon.
8. Flexibility: Pharmacy offers a lot of flexibility in terms of work hours and work settings. This can be beneficial for those who want to balance work and personal life.
9. Education and career growth: A diploma in pharmacy can serve as a stepping stone to further education and career growth. Pharmacists can pursue higher education like a bachelor’s or master’s degree in pharmacy. They can even pursue a course in other related fields like clinical research, pharmacology, or drug development.

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Although it has been almost four years since I passed out of ASU, I still remember the way the faculty taught us. They were so good and not just when it came to teaching. The faculty was always there to lend a helping hand whenever anyone needed it

–Sumer Tanvar, Alumnus of Apeejay Stya University- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Where to pursue the programme?

Backed by a legacy of 50-plus years in education, Apeejay Stya University (ASU) at Gurugram, Haryana, remains one of the top pharma universities in Delhi-NCR. It offers pharmacy programmes at bachelor’s, diploma, master’s and PhD levels. ASU has an unbeaten track record of achieving top placements in renowned pharma companies every year. As one of the best pharma universities in Delhi-NCR, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers career-focused pharmacy courses that have been designed in collaboration with pharmaceutical organisations of repute.

The R&D centre for pharmaceutical research ensures holistic and experiential learning for the students. The students at the school would be familiarised with the knowledge of formulation development from basic drug designing to the final stages of clinical trials.

Two centres of exellence

1. Centre for NDDS: It caters to research in the area of nanotechnology and formulating Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) for targeted delivery. The centre trains students to formulate & analyse drug delivery systems from inception to final delivery route and allows them to work on pilot projects.
2. Centre for Formulation Development & Analysis: This Centre is designed to expose students to various formulation development stages of diverse formulations from oral to trans-dermal to parental routes and their evaluation using analytical tools like UV, HPLC, LC-MS & FTIR, among others, on pilot projects.

Sumer Tanvar, alumnus of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Apeejay Stya University (ASU) said that the faculty at the institute is the best. “Although it has been almost four years since I graduated from ASU, I still remember the way the faculty taught us. They were so good and not just when it came to teaching. The faculty was always there to lend a helping hand whenever anyone needed it,” Tanvar recalled.

He added that the teaching methodology at ASU was very good. “It was a mix of theory and practical projects. Both were extremely helpful in honing my skills in the medical field. I learnt so much about medicines and the ins and out of how the pharma industry runs. So much so, that if I wanted to open a retail pharmacy I would know how to go about it. That is what is good about ASU; they ensure that you are ready to face the challenges once you step out of the campus grounds,” Tanvar said.