Few professions in the world can make a difference to the life of human beings. It’s a pride and honor, at the same time a humbling experience to be a part of an ecosystem that has life -saving and life changing capability. A profession that is known as pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical education in India, focuses on building multiple areas of knowledge. From formulation understanding in Pharmaceutics, chemicals and their mysteries in pharmaceutical chemistry, behavior of materials in physical pharmacy, intriguing natural ingredients in pharmacognosy, the functioning and intrigue of human body in pharmacology to the enticing world of cosmetology are a few areas that all pharmacy students immerse in.

From the understanding of drugs and their effect on the human system to creating new moieties the wonderworld of pharmacy is filled with opportunities to make life changing discoveries for numerous diseases that afflict the Homo Sapien race. Post pharmacy studies, some students pursue research and development, some find their career paths in commercialization of the medical discoveries so that they reach the patients in need and yet others follow the track of regulating the quality and sale of medicines for the patients. Many past students have made significant contributions and achieved milestones in all above fields and work as thought leaders in their chosen career fields.

Am highlighting the choice of commercial careers post pharmacy as I work in this area of patient service. Post completion of pharmacy school, and further studies in business/ management/ healthcare management make a good starting point for beginning a career in sales and marketing. The graduates can then join as management trainees in pharmaceutical organizations to gain experience in direct sales followed by marketing (brand management) and rotation in different functions to gain an understanding of the working of different streams as one integrated system.

Careers post pharmacy course in commercial teams are exciting and provide the adrenaline rush of achievement on a regular. Do consider this path if this enthralling journey is the path you seek for your future!!

Cheers and the very best to SSCOP in this endeavor.

Ms. Priya Hingorani
Vice President
Janssen Pharmaceuticals(Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson)
25 years of working experience