Want to Be a pharmacist? How to Begin After High School

Want to be a pharmacist? How to Begin After High School

Pharmacy is a rewarding career that offers opportunities in healthcare, research, and even business. If you are a high school student and wish to be a pharmacist, then it is important that you learn the process of how to achieve it. Here’s a simple guide on how to begin your journey towards being a pharmacist straight after high school.

Understand What a Pharmacist Does

Pharmacists are healthcare practitioners who dispense medicines, counsel patients on how to use medicines, and help apply safe and effective treatment to patients. The practice takes place in different environments: hospitals, retail pharmacies, and research think tanks. To become a pharmacist, you will also need a sound understanding of science and good people skills.

Prepare Early by Taking the Correct Subjects in High School

Starting high school early in preparation for a pharmacy career, one needs to understand that there are specific subjects that need to be taken. The following should be considered:

     • Biology: Understanding the human body and how medications work is crucial. • Chemistry: For medicine formulation to be done,                 considering that chemistry is taught in a pharmacy major.

• Mathematics: Since pharmacy is a practice that requires precision and calculations,  the rest is history when it comes to math usage in the profession.

Select a Suitable Pharmacy Program

Upon completion of secondary education, it is imperative that one undertake or register for a course that will lead to becoming a pharmacist. This is undoubtedly the case in India, where the  two most available options include:

Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm): This is a 2-year program that can be taken immediately after completing secondary education (12th standard science stream). It is a faster way to become a registered pharmacologist. Thus, D. Pharm.-qualified persons can work in retail or hospital pharmacies.

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm): This is a 4-year degree program that provides comprehensive education on pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology. After completing B.Pharm., you can pursue higher roles, such as a clinical pharmacist, or go into research and development.

Entrance Exams for B.Pharm

Some colleges require students to clear entrance exams for admission into B. Pharm.  programs. Common entrance exams in India include:

• WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam)

• MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)

• BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test). These exams typically test knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics.

Be Aware of the Conditions for Admission

There are particular conditions that must be satisfied in order to join a pharmacy program:

• For D.Pharm: 10+2 must be completed with science subjects (Physics, Chemistry,  Biology/Mathematics).

• For B.Pharm: 10+2 with at least 50% of marks in science subjects. Could also qualify through entrance exams.

Career Opportunities After Studying Pharmacy

Upon finishing a D.Pharm. or B.Pharm. course, you will have the following career choices:

• Retail pharmacist: practicing in community pharmacies where patients are counselled on how to use prescribed medications.

• Clinical pharmacist: working in collaboration with other healthcare providers in hospitals.

• Sales and Marketing of Pharmaceuticals: Marketing and sales of all kinds of medicines.

• Medicine Discoveries and Research: A department engaged in bringing forth advanced drugs.

On the other hand, it appears that the Indian Pharmacy Council puts the number of licensed pharmacists in the country at over 1.2 million, and the figure keeps growing. In the year  2024, the approximate entry-level wage for a newly graduated pharmacy student is estimated to be between 2.5 and 3.5 lakhs per year.

Opt for Further Studies

If you have already acquired a B.Pharm. degree, you may wish to seek further qualification  and undertake:

      • Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm): This is for people who desire an in-depth knowledge of areas such as pharmacology or pharmaceutics.

• Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy): A clinical pharmacy system spanning 6 years.

Obtain a License

To function as a pharmacist in India, it is a prerequisite to register with the State Pharmacy  Council. This includes being issued a license after finishing pharmacy education.

Conclusion

Pharmaceutical science is a fascinating career that many people embark on by first identifying the right subjects back in high school and then seeking to join a pharmacy school.  Think through your moves strategically, and do not forget to seize the opportunities that are constantly being created in the career of pharmacy!