A Career after M Pharm- What’s in it for you

Those looking to be a part of the healthcare profession can consider a career after M Pharm. Pharmaceutical companies are at the forefront of medical research, developing new treatments and therapies to improve community and individual health. Thus a pharmacy degree is beneficial to those aspiring to contribute to advances in medical science and have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people.

What is M Pharma

M Pharma stands for the Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences. There is huge scope in M Pharm studies for graduates of B Pharma or equivalent undergraduate degrees in the field. M Pharma courses have various specializations, including quality assurance, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, and pharmacognosy, to name a few. 

These specializations naturally have a direct influence on your career options after M Pharm or MS/MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The course spans two years in most cases (some foreign universities also offer 1-year course), with thesis-based research work. The curriculum also covers aspects like pharmacokinetics, drug regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, data interpretation, drug research, testing and analysis, and so on. 

Areas of Recruitment after M Pharma

Job opportunities after M Pharm come in various avatars, encompassing several sectors like research and development, private and public firms, and more. Here are some inputs that you may find helpful in this regard. 

• Government Sector- Candidates can work as drug controllers, research analysts, pharmacists, pharmaceutical research associates, and more across Government institutions and agencies. 
• Academics- Graduates may also choose to teach various courses at public or private institutions. They can also engage in research work alongside. 
• Manufacturing Sector- Professionals can find work in the manufacturing sector, dealing with the production of ingredients, biological product creation and processes, new formulations, clinical trials, and more. 
• Quality Control, Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs- This line of work involves inspection, testing, and analysis of products as per regulatory standards. 
• R&D and Formulation Development- This job profile covers formulation development, research, drug discovery, clinical research, drug targets, bio-availability, bio-safety, and more. 
• Sales and Marketing- This is a field where professionals hold responsibilities for product branding, marketing, scientific research, public education, sales, and more. 
• Hospital/Community Pharmacy- From patient counseling and guidance on drug interactions to dosage and instructions, this is a rewarding career for those with the requisite skills. 
• Pharmacovigilance- This sector involves the implementation of quality systems throughout the sector along with ensuring drug safety. 
• Hospitals and Healthcare Centres- Qualified professionals can also find work as pharmacists across both public and private hospitals, clinics, healthcare centres, and private drug stores. They play a vital role in catering to patient/customer needs as per prescriptions along with offering advice and recommendations and managing inventory. 
• Pharmaceutical Firms- There are several leading pharmaceutical firms that employ graduates in various divisions, including R&D, marketing and sales, regulatory affairs, and more. 

Job opportunities after M Pharma 

Here are some jobs after M Pharma and salary structures that you can expect in India and abroad.

Average Annual Salaries in India (as per Payscale): 

• Research Scientist- Rs. 719,837 
• Medical Writer- Rs. 595,643 
• Regulatory Affairs Associate- Rs. 342,511 
• Senior Manager, Business Analytics- Rs. 13,96,593 
• Clinical Research Associate- Rs. 334,999 
• Senior Clinical Research Associate- Rs. 10,87,207 
• Senior Executive Assistant- Rs. 484,500 

Average Salaries in US (as per US News and World Report):

• Staff Pharmacist- $144,060-189,860 per year
• Pharmacist- $121,070-143,600 per year 
• Compounding Pharmacist- $100,000 per year 
• Registered Pharmacist- $139,221 per year 
• Pharmacy Manager- $124-130,000 per year

Government Jobs for M Pharm Graduates

There are several Government jobs available for M Pharm graduates in India. Here are some of them: 

• Pharmacist, Central Medical Services Society- Rs. 9,300-34,800 (Pay Band 2) and Grade Pay- Rs. 4,200 per month. 
• Junior Pharmacist, Central Medical Services Society- Rs. 20,000 (consolidated) per month. 
• Assistant Manager, Procurement, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)- Rs. 40,000 per month. 
• Senior Executive (Procurement), PMBI- Rs. 30,000 per month. 
• Assistant Manager (Quality), PMBI- Rs. 40,000 per month. 
• Pharmacist, RBI- Rs. 2,000 per day or Rs. 400 per hour (consolidated). 

These are only a few of the job opportunities and salary details for pharmacists in the Government sector. There are several other opportunities available across government hospitals, clinics, organizations, and health boards.

Private Jobs for M Pharm Graduates

Here are some private job opportunities after M Pharm for graduates in the US (salary as per Payscale): 

• Research Scientist- $43-101,000 per year
• Associate Research Scientist- $57-103,000 per year
• Clinical Project Manager- $54-156,000 per year
• Vice President, Regulatory Affairs- $112-238,000 per year
• Pharmacologist- $50-96,000 per year
• Clinical Research Associate (CRA)- $45-86,000 per year
• Clinical Research Coordinator- $41-66,000 per year 

Requirements for M Pharma 

Here are some requirements for studying M Pharma courses (may vary across institutions): 

• Bachelor's degree in pharmacy, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, engineering or other science
• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Prior research experience (if required by the university) 
• IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other standardized scores

Conclusion

There are several options at your fingertips if you wish to build a lucrative career after M Pharm. You can venture into research and development, or go into the sales, marketing, management, or regulatory branches of the industry. Here’s to a glittering career ahead in the global pharmaceutical industry!