Pharmacy is commonly considered as a shop (also known as Medical Store or Chemist) where medicines are being sold or prepared.
In the academic or professional world, Pharmacy is defined as the branch of science that deals with the preparation, doses, dispensing and effects (including safety) of medicines (or medicinal drugs or simply drugs).
In the broad sense, Pharmacy is a marriage between Health Sciences and Chemistry. You could also term it as a Love Triangle that involves Medicine, Biology and Chemistry. Yes, it is as overlapping and inter-related as Bio medical science.
A Pharmacist (one who has got sufficient knowledge of Pharmacy or practises Pharmacy) technically should possess more knowledge than a Medical Doctor regarding medicinal drugs – composition (or formulation) of a drug, effects/interaction with the biological system, physical and chemical properties, therapeutic doses, side-effects, interactions with other drugs.
Besides, pharmacists also play an important role in advising and counselling patients, and prescribing medicines. However, pharmacists are not medical doctors – they do not conduct diagnosis and/or surgeries on patients. Globally Pharmacy is considered as noble as the Medical profession.
Career Prospects
Career Scope & Job Opportunities in Pharmacy field are huge. Due to the opening of large pharmaceutical companies, the future in the field of pharmacy is bright.
Numerous jobs are available for pharmacists in government as well as private organizations. After completing your studies, you can easily find jobs in pharmaceutical industries, government departments, colleges and universities, hospitals, investigation and research institute etc.
Pharmacists can practice in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and regulatory agencies. Sales & Marketing job sector also hires maximum number of pharmacy graduates.
One can also work in retail stores of medicines. After registering with the state Pharmacy Council, you can open chemist/drug shop and sell medicines as per doctors prescription.
