How to Get a Job in the Top Pharmaceutical Industry
What Does A Pharmaceutical Industry Entail?
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an upsurge in the adulation of the pharmaceutical industry and the ones who work in pharmaceutics. This industry generally deals with the discovery, development, production, formulation, and manufacturing of market/pharmaceutical drugs, which are to be used as medication, and are subjected to a number of rules, laws, and regulations, concerned with the patenting, testing, and ensuring the safety of the usage of medicines. The pharmaceutical industry owes its popularity to the vast range of career opportunities that it can provide. From the formulation to the selling of medical drugs, each sphere has endless opportunities for the aspirants. Moreover, a job in pharmaceutics can secure you a good salary, and a beneficial lifestyle.
Today, a large number of (Medical) Pharmacy colleges and universities offer pharmaceutical courses, along with placements in companies, internships, and much more. This article will aim at elaborating on how to get a job in the top pharmaceutical industry, and all the necessary information that comes along.
Reasons to Choose Pharmaceutics as a Career
COVID-19 has turned the world’s view toward the world of pharmaceutics, as during the period every aspect of life got somehow connected to pharmaceutics, and everybody was curious about the discovery and distribution of vaccines. However, that doesn’t mean pharmaceutics doesn’t have any value outside the coronavirus period. Here are few reasons why you should choose pharmaceutics for your career:
1. A great range of career paths
Students studying pharmaceutics have a variety of options to choose from, that they find themselves suitable for.
2. High-end salary
Pharmaceutics contains some of the highest paying jobs, as the work requires expertise.
3. There are high chances of further increase in the number of pharmaceutical jobs in the future
Just as they are expanding now.
4. More Scope
Even while studying pharmaceutics, there are high chances of getting selected for internships and part-time jobs, which can help with one’s personal expenses while graduating.
5. Personally and professionally rewarding
The field of pharmaceutics is appreciated by everybody, all over the world. The spree of satisfaction that this brings to a student, as a key contributor to the healthcare landscape in India, is unparalleled.
6. Social Upliftment
By having a job in pharmaceutics, you are also indirectly contributing to the betterment of life. This is because you can get an opportunity to partake and render your support and contribution in various healthcare drives, charitable trusts, and government schemes to provide subsidized medicines and much more.
Courses that can lead to a strong career in Pharmaceutics
To choose a career in pharmaceutics, it is important for the students to know about the pharmacy courses available, and choose one according to their preference, aptitude, skill, and knowledge. Students passing their 12th boards examination with a science stream are eligible for studying pharmaceutics and choose from a variety of courses which vary in duration, opportunities, syllabus, and degree. The courses are:
1. Diploma in Pharmacy
A 2-year program that covers basic pharmaceutical education such as the application of chemistry in the pharmaceutical sector, concepts of pharmacology, biochemistry, and toxicology.
a. Diploma In Veterinary Pharmacy
b. Diploma In Pharmaceutical Management
c. Post Graduate Diploma In Herbal Products
d. Post Graduate Diploma In Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
e. Post Graduate Diploma In Pharmaceutical Chemistry
f. Post Graduate Diploma In Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs
g. Pgdm In Pharmacovigilance
h. Pgdm In Pharmaceutical Management
2. Bachelor in Pharmacy (BPharm)
The 4-year course is available for the students who pass the 12th board with at least 50%, and the course imparts knowledge about the healthcare business and biochemical science.
a. B.Pharm(Hons.)
b. B.Pharm In Pharmaceutical Chemistry
c. B.Pharm In Pharmaceutics
d. B.Pharm In Pharmacognosy
e. B.Pharm In Pharmacology
f. B.Pharm In Ayurvedic
g. B.Pharm+Mba (Dual Degree)
Explore about the — D Pharma
3. Master of pharmacy
A 2-year program after graduation, which prepares the student with vast technical, research, practical, and theoretical knowledge of pharmacy including modern and traditional medicines. The students can major in fields such as biopharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, cosmoceuticals, DDRS, drug discovery and drug development, regulatory affairs, pharmacokinetics, etc.
Explore about the — Master of pharmacy
4. Doctor of Pharmacy
A 6-year program with advanced study of the medical world, with a year of internship. The students can choose from options of fields such as pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical medicine, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy & phytochemistry, pharmacology, etc.
Skills Required To Work Successfully In Pharmaceutics
- Strong analytical skills
- Curiosity in analyzing
- Quality-oriented
- Oral and written communication skill
- Basic knowledge of the working of a computer
- Empathy
- Ability to handle pressure and work in a challenging environment.
- Knowledge about the products and the industry
- Ability to interact calmly with peers
- Attention to detail.
Professions You Can Work In the Pharmaceutical Industry
As mentioned before, the pharmaceutical industry is not limited to a pharmacist but offers an array of options to choose from, that covers a large number of fields of expertise. Some of such professions are mentioned below.
- Laboratory Technician
- Microbiologist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Product Development Scientist
- Senior Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Epidemiologist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Clinical Trial Administrator
- Clinical Research Scientist
- Packaging Operator
- Cleanroom Operator
- Production Supervisor
- Manufacturing Supervisor
- Regulatory Affair Specialist
- Pharmacovigilance Officer
- Validation Manager
- Quality Control Analyst
- Documentation Analyst
- Maintenance Technician
- Calibration Technician
- Project Engineer
- Marketing Executive
- Marketing Representative
- Sales Manager
Top Companies Hiring Pharmaceutical Scientists in India
- Nestle
- Dr. Reddy’s
- Golden opportunities private limited
- IQVIA
- Sandoz
- Jubilant biosys
- Schrodinger
- Applied materials Inc
- Johnson and Johnson
- Pfizer
- Sage therapeutics
- Eisai
- Biogen
How to Get a Job in the Pharmaceutical Industry?
- In order to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sciences, the basic qualifications needed include
- A major in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, and medicine in college.
- Ability to communicate, as one will be meeting with people from various backgrounds.
- Ability to handle disappointments.
- The students must gain expertise in both soft and hard skills.
- The student must start working for internships and part-time jobs in the field, to gain expertise and experience, which can further their possibility of getting a job in a recognized company in the future.
- The candidate must keep checking the various websites that carry the advertisements for various jobs, to make sure that they do not miss the chance.
- A proper Linkedin account with updated information is necessary so that companies can approach you if you have the necessary skills required for the same.
- Students must try to get admission in top colleges for pharmaceutical science such as Panjab University, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, ICT Mumbai, Manipal college of Pharmaceutical Sciences and such, to even further their possibility of getting a job at top companies.
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly expanding and becoming more and more diverse, opening up innumerable job opportunities for the aspiring candidates. Proper dedication and hard work can help the student to get a job in the top pharmaceutical industry. We have in this article, laid down all the vital information pertinent to obtaining a job in the pharma sector. Understanding all the crucial details of the Pharmaceutical Industry is the first step towards securing a steady job that provides you with overall satisfaction, decent pay, and a sense of contribution to a bigger cause.
FAQs
1. What are the basic qualifications needed to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sciences?
To pursue a career in pharmaceutical sciences, one needs a major in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, or medicine in college.
2. How can students enhance their chances of getting a job in the pharmaceutical industry?
Students can enhance their chances by gaining expertise in both soft and hard skills, working for internships, and maintaining an updated Linkedin account.
3. Are there part-time job opportunities while studying pharmaceutics?
Yes, there are high chances of getting selected for internships and part-time jobs while studying pharmaceutics.
4. What are some of the top companies hiring pharmaceutical scientists in India?
Some of the top companies include Nestle, Dr. Reddy’s, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, and Biogen.
5. What courses are available for a career in pharmaceutics?
There are various courses available, including Diploma in Pharmacy, Bachelor in Pharmacy (BPharm), Master of Pharmacy, and Doctor of Pharmacy.