- Pharmaceutical Scientist / Research & Development
A drug discovery process involves a variety of steps that need expertise from the pharmacy as well as allied science domains. Pharmacists needs to be well trained to work on every step of drug discovery. Pharmacist can work on every step from drug synthesis to formulation development.
- Formulation & Development
The pharmacist is responsible for the development of new products, process systems and formulations. Patient needs variety of formulations from simple tablets/capsules to genetically modified/biotechnologically synthesized special formulations. Every drug is delivered to the patient by converting it into a suitable formulation. Pharmacist can convert the biologically active drugs into the therapeutically administrable formulation.
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
The QA / QC officer is responsible for developing, implementing, reviewing, and maintaining quality standards for partially or fully processed materials. Large scale manufacturing has developed the need to ensure the quality of each formulation. Pharmacists works hard to maintain the quality of products. In layman language, we can say that if 10,00,000 tablets are produced, then all of these are of equal standard and will show the same effect on patients.
Analytical Research & Development
Analytical research and development include preliminary research, stability, and degradation studies of drugs and finished products. Pharmacists work here to ensure the proper method of analysis to get reproducibility in terms of pharmacological effect.
Sales / Marketing / Product management
The pharmacist is responsible for increasing sales by searching for existing and potential sellers. Pharmacist must aid in placing orders by referring to price lists and product documentation. Pharmacists working in the field can also recommend changes in product, supply chain, distribution policies and improvements to be made in them.
. Regulatory Affairs
With growing globalization pharmaceutical industries have tremendously increased their product line and started exporting worldwide. Whenever product needs to be exported, it needs a set of documents for getting legal permission from the country. Regulatory affairs department take care of filing the product for getting necessary permission and license of products. Regulatory bodies like USFDA, TGA, CDSCO, WHO, etc. have their own set of procedure and guidelines for manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Pharmacists being expert in medicine is required at various levels in these departments.
Pharmacy Business
Registered pharmacist is the only authorized person to handle the medicines. At different level of pharmaceutical business pharmacist works in import, export, distribution and sales of medicines. The activity can be carried out from small medical shop business to registered company working exclusively in import and export. Depending on one’s potential and investment there is tremendous scope for pharmacist here as medicines are not luxury but essential products.
