Pharmacy

A girl student from Chennai has a doubt on the future course of action after B. Pharmacy. The question goes like ‘I am a B. Pharmacy final year student. What will be the best option after my B. Pharm? Shall I go for MBA- Pharma or General MBA. If I go for General MBA, what specialization is good for me? Please suggest me the colleges providing MBA- Pharma in India and also exams to be written? How will be the career after this course?

It is heartening to note that students are considering pursuing MBA after your B.Pharm. MBA in Pharma management is gaining importance. There are good number of institutes offering MBA in this vertical. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar, Mohali is the preferred choice to pursue this course. Other institutes offering MBA in Pharma are Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai; Indian Institute of Pharmaceutical Marketing, Lucknow; Mahrshi Dayanad University, Rohtak; Poddar Management & Training Institute, Jaipur, SRM University School of  Management,  Chennai, etc. Osmania University is offering this course on distance mode.

Normally students with 60% and above in B.Pharm are eligible criteria for reputed schools. In addition, they would also need a valid GPAT/GATE/NET score card. Some of the schools conduct their own tests. Students are assessed in the areas of English Comprehension, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, Business Knowledge, etc. All the schools conduct group discussions and personal interviews during counseling.

MBA in Pharma Management is a promising course and offers good potential for career prospects. It is one of the largest growing sectors and demand for such professional is on rise. If you are willing to go out of Andhra Pradesh to pursue higher studies, you should go for MBA in Pharma vertical. Otherwise, you should look for General MBA program in Andhra Pradesh. As far as specialization is concerned, marketing courses offer good career prospects.

An aspirant of Clinical Research from Bangalore enquired, ‘I just completed B. Pharmacy with an aggregate of 85 percent marks. I am interested to join M. Sc. (Clinical Research) in CREMA, Bangalore. But my elders, who completed M. Pharma are suggesting that there will be no jobs for Clinical Research. I am confused to choose between M. Pharma or M.Sc. (Clinical Research). Please assist me which will be the right option for my career.’

This one is really a bit tricky. Both Pharma and Clinical Research streams are having their own advantages and disadvantages. It is you who should decide what you want to do with your future. But without doubt M.Pharm is a steady and firm stream. Future options are quite good if you want to pursue research.

On the other hand, clinical research is having few specific options where you can get jobs. But personally I do feel it (Clinical Research) is better for medical professionals. If you would like to in the field of clinical data management and analysis, then it is better to opt for clinical research. Otherwise going for M. Pharmacy will fetch you more if you can excel in the subject.

Whatever course you opt, you must be very careful in selecting the institute on which your job opportunities are directly depending. You must go through the background of the institute like faculty, infrastructure, placement assistance etc. There are many centers offering M.Pharmacy under management quota which is just useless. We suggest students to go to places like NIPER and other premier organizations.