Advanced knowledge and training in different branches of pharmaceutical sciences offers a wide range of career options to the emerging pharmacists. Traditionally the job of a pharmacist was to prepare, mix, compound or dispense the drugs and ointments on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. During that period the qualification in pharmacy had been associated with a lifetime career as a chemist cum compounder, said Dr Amalendu Basu, additional director, Dept of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal.

Delivering the keynote address in a seminar on “Current Scenario and Career Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Technology” organised by NSHM College of Pharmaceutical Technology in Kolkata recently, Dr Basu said presently the profession is no longer confined to the laboratories or dispensaries and is being stretched beyond the curriculum.

Today’s curriculum is based on pharmaceutical technology and is related to health sciences and healthcare profession. Further it has relation with manufacture, quality control, dispensing, sale of drugs & cosmetics, and counselling for rational and safe use of medication to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes, he said.

According to Dr Basu, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 , Rules 71 (1) and 76 (1) say that the manufacturing and analytical activity should be taken up under the supervision of a competent technical staff approved by the directorate of drugs control of the state government. A pharmacy graduate might be involved in such activities relating to the development of formulation, production or quality control and quality assurance or logistics and distribution of various medicines in pharmaceutical and FMCG industries.

Apart from drug industry, there is employment opportunity within the food and cosmetics industries or within other industries that require quality assurance. While enumerating the areas where chances are ample for pharmacists, he said pharmacy professional as production person can work as production chemist, manufacturing chemist, production supervisor, production officer, production executive and production manager.

As quality monitoring person, he can be selected as quality control chemist, analytical chemist, analyst, quality assurance chemist, production development chemist, research and development chemist, etc. Other vocations of pharmacy professionals include manufacturing and testing of bulk drugs and intermediates or pharmaceutical formulations and dosage forms, neutraceuticals, etc.

Cosmetics, perfumery, fragrances, soaps & toiletries segment also hire pharmacy professionals for production and analysis. They have very good roles in the production of dental medicines, products dedicated to dental care and hygiene like tooth paste, mouth washes, cavity fillers, etc.

Likewise, jobs are available for Graduates in Pharmacy in the production of blood and plasma products, processing blood of various groups, production of blood bags, haemoglobin, plasma, serum, clotting factors, antigens, antibodies, production of biological and biotechnological products, vaccines, surgical dressings, medical devices and various equipments.

In the manufacturing and testing of ayurvedic/homoeopathic/unani medicines or veterinary medicines, the role of pharmacist is important.

In the teaching profession, students who pass out with B Pharm first class are eligible to teach as lecturers in the D Pharm programme. As a registered pharmacist, the graduates or diploma holders in pharmacy can work in the drug stores. The M-Pharm or PhD holders are absorbed in research work to develop new drug molecules in laboratories. Graduates and postgraduates can take up careers in clinical research organisations.

The pharmacy professionals will also have opportunities in the marketing field. In the government sector they can work in the drug control administration.

The pharmacists can be absorbed in the government regulatory bodies like CDSCO as well as in the private multinational pharmaceutical companies in the Patent and Regulatory protection department. Regulatory affairs departments, Patents & Trade marks, IPR experts are also in high demand as far as the pharmaceutical industry is concerned, said Dr Basu.

Prof. Dr Subhasis Maity, Principal of the College presided over the function. He said there are plenty of opportunities for the pharmacists in various countries besides plenty of higher education and research opportunities in the developed western countries along with excellent job opening.