Vivekanand Education Society (VES) College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, recently organised a seminar to create awareness about career prospects for the students after graduation. The seminar was attended by the students from different pharmacy colleges in the city.

According to industry experts, after the current stress by the government on quality of drugs through inspections, the growth of clinical trials sector have widened the job opportunities for pharmacy graduates and masters in India.

Addressing a seminar at VES College of Pharmacy, Vidya More, head quality - Athena Drug Delivery Solutions Pvt Ltd, said the drug regulatory authorities were increasingly focussing on the quality aspects and the `drug inspectors were welcomed by the companies now.’ However, she said the students need to be well-equipped with the quality assurance aspects to grab these opportunities.

“The `Make in India’ campaign also gave impetus to quality as substandard products, including the drugs, manufactured in India would not be bought by the people abroad. These had given more scope for pharmacy course,” More says.

Shruti Karambelkar, associate project manager at SIRO Clinpharm Pvt. Ltd, said the clinical research area still held good prospects for the pharmacy students. Though the sector is facing a lull currently due to the stringent checks on clinical trials and delays in approvals, career prospects looked bright if the students had the skills for multi-tasks.

Dr Supriya Shidhaye, principal - VES College of Pharmacy, said the event also was meant to acclimatise students about the syllabus of masters in pharmacy and betterment of career opportunities on the basis of advanced knowledge & skills acquired during M. Pharm.

Melita Fernandes of Four Fountain De-stress Spa, Mumbai, pointed out that medical writing would be an interesting and growing opportunity for the pharmacy graduates, especially the females, because of the job flexibility and creativity. Dr Lalita Rege, manager global regulatory affairs, head - oncology division, Glenmark Pharma, also addressed the students.

The Vivekanand Education Society started its educational activities in 1962 with only 256 students in a high school. Today, the Society has over 18,000 students on the roll of primary school, high school, junior college, degree college of arts, science and commerce, polytechnic & engineering college, college for management studies, law college, and college of pharmacy.