Are you ready to be a Pharmacist?

Those students, who have taken Science (Pre-medical) subjects in their intermediate curriculum and for a fraction of marks, could not get admission in medical colleges, usually lost their hope and interest in their studies. The main reason is that they have taken all other subjects for granted .Is this the right approach? or they need to broaden their thinking to search for new horizons.

Right after medical college, the next department where most of these high achievers,-biology undergraduates got admission is Pharmacy.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the study of preparing and dispensing drugs. We are fortunate to have the world-class pharmacy education in our country and our pharmacy graduates are hired on the most prestigious positions both countrywide and internationally.

Pharmacy Degree Programme in Pakistan:

Back in 90’s,Pakistani Universities were offering Bachelor of pharmacy, a four year program to issue the bachelor’s degree to their pharmacy graduates, but with recent global advancements, instead of bachelor’s, Doctor of Pharmacy i-e Pharm D degree program is established. Hence, Pakistani universities also reschedule the program and a year extension is approved by the officials to pursue pharm D degree program in Pakistan. Consequently, Since 2004, the graduates have to study a five year program to get their doctor of pharmacy-(Pharm-D) degree.

Pharmacy Curriculum

During these five years the student has to study many science subjects that are taught in the medical colleges like physiology, and biochemistry, as well as pharmacy students have to attend the specific pharmacy based courses like pharmaceutics and pharmacology. Pharmacy is one of the toughest courses because here students are also studying maths, stats special computer courses to complete their degree.

Pharmacy Education in Pakistan

Almost every university with biological subjects are offering pharmacy program in Pakistan and this program runs parallel with the pharmacy curriculum that is taught internationally. After your Pharm D, you have to obtain a License from Pharmacy council to work as a pharmacist in Pakistan, but if you are thinking to work abroad you have to pass their License exam.

SCOPE OF PHARMACY

Once you get your Pharm D degree, you are eligible for various career positions .You can join a pharmaceutical industry to show your skills in drug manufacturing and marketing. You can join a hospital as a health care professional or you are readmitted in the pharmacy department for a master’s program which will eventually take you to research opportunities. You can even teach pharmacy in institutes.
Several renowned multi-national and local pharmaceutical companies have their set-ups in Pakistan. Some examples are: Glaxo Smith Kline, Abbot, Lilly, Pfizer and Efroze pharma .These companies hire pharmacists in all their major departments. Pharmacists enjoy many benefits in sales and marketing and get many opportunities to travel abroad.
An all-inclusive, International level Hospital pharmacy is practiced in Pakistan. The top-notch hospitals like Agha Khan Medical University, Shake Khanum Memorial cancer hospital have set-up the most updated pharmacies in their medical centers where thousands of pharmacists are serving day and night. Luckily, we have full fleshed chemo-pharma (cancer-patients pharmacy) set-ups in Pakistan where drugs are prepared and dispensed to the patients in totally hygienic and safe environment. Pakistani Government has also assigned some grade 17 health care positions on which only a genuine pharmacist is recruited.
Pharmacy graduates can avail the opportunity to begin their drug store business. Pharmacy retail stores are running very successfully a across the country and a pharmacist can run his pharmacy with his license or he can take job in any reputable retail pharmacy franchises. Ware- house pharmacy is another area to get an earning career.
Our pharmacy graduates abroad are earning with both hands. They have passed their license examinations in flying colors and are hired on significant positions on their job. The international zones where there are lots of opportunities for pharm D includes USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East and New Zealand.

Useful Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vye6A8GYrrk
https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/9-highest-paying-countries-for-pharmacists-374301/
https://www.eduvision.edu.pk/institutions-offering-pharmacy-with-field-medical-sciences-at-bachelor-level-in-pakistan-page-1
https://www.studysolutions.pk/pharm-d-doctor-of-pharmacy-subjects-jobs-career-scope-eligibility