Pharmacists play a significant role in the healthcare industry. These professionals are experts in medicine and can handle and dispense medications as required. A wide range of pharmacy courses can be pursued by students after completing their 12th to join different fields related to the scope of this career. These courses allow pharmacy graduates to work in different profiles like pharmacology, research, and other aspects of medical sciences.
Let us take a look at the best pharmacy courses after 12th that aspiring students can apply for at their UG level in India.
Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Pharmacy Courses After 12th
To be eligible to join pharmacy courses after 12th in India, students must complete their 10+2 in the science stream with PCB/PCM from a recognized institution with 50% and above marks in aggregate. Some colleges may require students to clear entrance tests to accept applications for top pharmaceutical science courses.
GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) and various state-level entrance tests such as NIPER JEE, WBJEE-Pharmacy, UPSEE-Pharmacy, MHT CET, KCET, GUJCET, etc., are required to clear to join the best program in pharmacy.
Best Pharmacy Programs After 12th
Below are some advanced pharmacy degrees after 12th that can be pursued by students in India:
| Courses | Duration | Eligibility |
| Diploma in Pharmacy | 2 years | 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board with 45% marks in (PCB/PCM) |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) | 4 years | 50% marks in 10th and 12th in any stream from a recognized board |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (Ayurveda) | 4 years | 10+2 in the science stream from a recognized board with 55% marks |
| Certificate in Pharmaceutical Management | 1- 2 years | 10+2 in science from a recognized board. May vary from institution to institution. |
| Bachelor of Homeopathic Pharmacy | 3 – 4 years | 10 + 2 in any stream from a recognized board with 50% marks |
| Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) | 5 – 5.5 years (including internship) | 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board with 50% marks |
| Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Science | 4.5 years +1 year (internship) | 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board with 50% marks with PCB/PCM |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Technology | 4 years | 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board with 50% marks |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology | 3 years | 10+2 in science stream from a recognized board with 50% marks |
| Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (Pharmacy) | 3 years | 10+2 in science stream with PCB from a recognized board with 55-60% marks |
Top Colleges Offering Pharmacy Courses in India
Below are some best institutions offering various programs in Pharmacy and related studies:
| Best College for Animation Courses | Location |
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi |
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | Hyderabad |
| JSS College of Pharmacy | Ooty, Tamil Nadu |
| Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai |
| Punjab University | Chandigarh |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Manipal, Karnataka |
| College of Pharmacy | Chennai |
| Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University | New Delhi |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), | Lucknow |
Skills Required for a Career in Pharmacy
· Knowledge of Pharmacology
· Pharmaceutical Calculations
· Dispensing Medications
· Drug Information Retrieval
· Patient Counseling
· Communication Skills
· Ethical and Legal Awareness
· Problem-solving and Critical Thinking:
· Teamwork and Collaboration
· Continuous Learning
Job Profile and Salaries in Pharmacy After 12th
Below are some common job profiles of pharmacists in India and their salary range:
1. Drug Inspector
Salary: Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 9 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 6.2 lakhs
2. Health Inspector
Salary: Rs 0.2 lakhs to Rs 5.5 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 3.5 lakhs
3. Clinical Research Associate
Salary: Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 7.2 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 4.5 lakhs
4. Pharmacy technician
Salary: Rs 0.2 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 4.3 lakhs
5. Medical Writer
Salary: Rs 2.4 lakhs to Rs 11.2 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 6.6 lakhs
6. Pharmacist
Salary: Rs 1.4 lakhs to Rs 4 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 2.7 lakhs
7. Quality Control Executive
Salary: Rs 1.8 lakhs to Rs 6 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 3.9 lakhs
8. Hospital Pharmacist
Salary: Rs 0.2 lakhs to Rs 4 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 2.5 lakhs
9. Chemical Technician
Salary: Rs 1 lakh to Rs 16.5 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 3.3 lakhs
10. Medical Representative
Salary: Rs 0.3 lakhs to Rs 5.5 lakhs per annum with an average yearly salary of Rs 3.6 lakhs
Source: AmbitionBox
Note: The salary figures given above may change annually due to various factors like experience, location, increment, recognition, and more.
Top Recruiters in the Pharma Industry
Here are some top recruiters in the Pharma Industry:
· Cipla
· Aurobindo Pharma
· Biocon
· Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
· Daffohils Laboratories
· Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
· Intas Pharmaceuticals
· Emcure Pharmaceuticals
· Divi’s Laboratories
· Pfizer
· Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
· Zydus Lifesciences
· Mankind Pharma
· Ajanta Pharma
· Torrent Pharmaceuticals
· Lupin
Conclusion
A career in pharmacy post 12th is a viable option as pharmacy is a rewarding career allowing varied opportunities. Students need to consider every aspect of the course before choosing the desired program. India has several highly reputed pharmacy colleges offering the best courses that you can enroll in as mentioned above.