In the field of medicine, Pharmacology is the study of drug action.  If substances have medicinal properties, they are considered pharmaceuticals. And pharmacy is a medical science concerned with the safe and effective use of medicines. Pharmacy has evolved distinctively under biomedical sciences. The scope of pharmacy is a health profession that links health science with chemical sciences. It deals with compounding and dispensing medications, production of pharmaceutical products, methods of drug preparation.

With the growth of technology and the increased longevity of humans over the past century due to the advancements in medical science, most of the diseases have become curable, with the help of  powerful antibiotics and other life saving drugs. This is where pharmacy steps in. Pharmacy emerges as a very popular career option. For all those who aspire to make their contributions to this pool of scientific advancement in medicine, this field is the best option.

The goal of this course is to create an understanding of
1) The health care system and how pharmacy fits within the health care system.
2) Concepts of pharmacy markets and marketing pharmacy goods and pharmacist services.

The field of pharmacy can be divided into 3 primary disciplines Pharmaceutics, Medicinal chemistry and Pharmacognosy (study of medicines derived from natural sources), Pharmacy practice. Subjects such as Bio-Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Bio Pharmaceutics, Anatomy Psychology & Health Education, etc may be dealt with.

Pharmacists practice in a variety of areas including retail, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and drug industry. They may choose to work as Marketing Managers or a Sales Manager, Drug Inspectors, Drug Controllers, etc. In Govt/Semi Govt/Private Hospitals. Pharmacy technicians may also work as pharmaceutical sales representatives and with insurance companies or other third party providers. They may as well start their own pharmacy business or chemists and druggists shop to stock and sell medicines and dispense them according to doctor’s prescriptions.

The pharmacy technician works under the supervision of registered pharmacists in hospitals, health care agencies, and retail outlets. A pharmacist may even opt to do research work, to develop new useful drugs, in laboratories. A lot of multinational companies are collaborating with leading Indian companies as well as government labs, thus offering many job options for qualified professionals.

Some of the few employers of pharmacy graduates are Ranbaxy, Fortis, Glaxo Smith Kline, Hindustan Unilever etc.

Pharmacists can also specialize and pursue further studies in various areas of practice including: hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, ambulatory care, nutrition support, drug information, critical care, pediatrics, etc. An ability to work methodically, carefully and accurately is needed for work in hospitals, stores, laboratories and shop floors. Sympathetic attitude, caring mannerisms and a friendly disposition are required for dealing with patients.

The monthly salary of a pharmacist varies according to the nature of the job. An average pay-scale for a pharmacist ranges from about Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 7,000. For a research scientist it ranges between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month, medical representatives take away between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 excluding incentives. There are also manufacturing pharmacists and hospital pharmacists who earn up to Rs. 5,000 per month with contributory PF, Insurance, medical reimbursement and other allowances and benefits. The salaries in pharmaceutical companies are much higher.