Career in Pharmaceutical Technology

By

Dr. Guru Prasad Mohanta
The Indian pharmaceutical companies continue expanding their base despite the slow down. The
pharmaceutical industries in India seem to be more stable compared to other industries and they
would continue with their impressive performance.
According to available figures the size of the Indian Pharmaceutical industries is poised to grow from
Rs. 30,200 crore in 2007 to Rs. 33,500 crore in 2008 and further to Rs. 140, 000 crore in 2020. India
is known as pharmacy of the whole world especially to third world countries. The country exports
pharmaceuticals to more than 200 countries including USA, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom and
Brazil. India is the leading supplier of AIDS drugs to the world. Pharmaceutical exports (valued in US
dollar terms) registered an impressive growth rate at 30.7 % terms during April October 2008
compared to corresponding period in the previous year. This growth further increases to 38.5 % when
valued in rupees terms. Not withstanding the fears of a global recession, pharma exports are expected
to grow by 25.2 % in 2008-2009. The Department of Pharmaceuticals estimated to have creation of 5
lakh new jobs within next four years involving investment of Rs. 5,000-10,000 crore through public
private partnership model.
Drug approvals given to Indian pharmaceutical firms were 30% of total generic approvals given by
USA Drug Regulatory Authority (USFDA) in 2008 while the share was 26.5 % in 2007. The trend is
likely to continue as Indian companied account for 35 % of all Abbreviated New Drug Application
(ANDA) approvals given by USFDA in first two months of 2009. ANDA is an application for a generic
drug approval for an existing licensed medication or an approved drug. With over US dollar worth 47
billion drugs are expected to go off patent by 2011, promising further growth in generic medicine
market.
Pharmaceutical industries usually employ pharmacy graduates and post graduates for most of the
operations. The various activities include manufacturing, quality control (including quality assurance),
and distribution (marketing). The expertise required to perform all these activities are usually the
course programme of Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmaceutical Technology. Pharma being
knowledge based industry; special skills are required for all these operations or activities. The
available career opportunities for pharmacy graduates in pharmaceutical industries and
government/private sector include:
As Manufacturing Chemist (called as competent technical staff): under whose active direction
and personal supervision manufacturing of medicines takes place. The pharmaceutical
production companies need such persons to obtain license for manufacturing. Graduates of
pharmacy with 18 months of experience in manufacturing are treated as competent technical
staff under Drugs and Cosmetics Act which regulates the Drug Industries. This job of looking
after manufacturing of medicines is very interesting and responsible. There are scopes of
promotion too to the highest position as works manager or factory manager.
In Quality Control/Quality Assurance: Quality Assurance is a total process for assuring the
quality of pharmaceutical products as per standard specified in National or other approved
pharmacopoeias. Quality Assurance is a component of Quality Assurance programme which
deals with checking of representative samples of production to find out their compliance with
standards. The graduates with aptitude in analysis of pharmaceuticals and handling of
sophisticated instruments find the job interesting. There are promotional scopes too from
Quality Control chemists to Quality Assurance Manager.
There are private and independent drug testing laboratories too. The graduate pharmacist can join
these laboratories as analyst.
In Marketing: Pharmaceutical marketing is different from marketing of other consumer goods.
Here, real consumer, the patient, has little or no choice. The marketing takes place through
doctors and chemists. Thus the job is more challenging and requires special skill and training
as they deal with highly qualified doctors in one hand and the professional business man
(often called drug trader in common terminology). This is a never saturating professional area
and jobs are available always. The sales personal are called as medical representatives or
business executives. They can grow from medical representatives to general manager.
In regulatory affairs: The medicines are not only required to be effective but must be safe
and of assured quality. In order to assure efficacy, safety and quality, the entire
pharmaceutical scenario, from manufacturing to sale of medicines, is regulated by the central
and state government through a process of licensing and inspecting. The pharmaceutical
graduates can join the government services usually through public service commission as
Drugs Inspectors. They have promotional scopes to grow up to the rank of Drugs Controller.
As Hospital Pharmacists: The pharmacists in hospitals do wide range of functions ranging from
procurement of medicines to dispensing to the patients. In short they are responsible for
medicine management in the hospitals. Though legally Diploma in Pharmacy qualification is
sufficient for medicine dispensing, the degree pharmacists are preferred in procurement
system in government sector and service sector in corporate hospitals. The promotional scope
in this sector is limited.
As Community Pharmacist (working in Drug Store or Retail Pharmacy): Our medical systems
are well developed and are on par with any developed country. But this community pharmacy
sector is still in primitive stage. In western countries community pharmacists are well paid and
many of pharmacists who have migrated to UK or USA work in community pharmacy. The
scenario of community pharmacy now started changing in India too. Many chain stores are
entering into the market. Diploma in Pharmacy qualified pharmacists. Like hospital pharmacy
sector, the graduate pharmacists too started entering into the retail business as entrepreneur.
Self owning pharmacy in a good location not only gives good revenues but also provides
ample opportunities to provide professional pharmaceutical services to the consumers. A
license from the state Drugs Control Authority is necessary start a retail pharmacy business.
As Government Analyst: The medicines that have been sampled either from manufacturing
units or retail drug stores are tested in government drug testing laboratories. The graduate
pharmacists can join these government laboratories as government analyst. But the graduate
pharmacists do need to under go training on testing of drugs under a government analyst or in
approved laboratories.
The above career opportunities belong to the traditional spheres of employment in pharmaceutical
sectors. The pharmaceutical industries have changed over the years. New field of activities like clinical
trials, contract research, new drug development, newer drug delivery systems etc. have emerged. The
corresponding demands for higher qualifications like postgraduates in Pharmacy in different disciplines
and doctorate degree have increased. Today pharmaceutical companies need highly expertise
professionals who can face global challenge.

Career: Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

A Day in the life of a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical sales is a fast-paced, high-turnover business that rewards assertiveness, persistence,
and knowledge. Pharmaceutical sales representatives spend most of their business time on the road,
talking with pharmacists, hospital personnel, physicians, patient advocacy groups, and even retirement
homes, increasing the visibility of their companys products and the volume of their sales. Sell sell sell
learn learn learn sell sell sell, wrote one sales rep, who included his business card with his survey, in
case we wanted to purchase any pharmaceutical supplies. Many other sales reps agreed that the best
reps follow any lead, making every possible effort to sell their product. A number attend meetings where
contact with purchasing professionals is rich, such as an association of pharmacists or a convention of
hospital administrators. This territory-oriented business can be a hard life, particularly for those trying to
maintain their family life as well. The need to sell extends to social functions and free time, and the
already precious family moments can erode further to the point where many reps are forced to reevaluate
their commitment to their profession. This difficult balancing act is complicated by the additional pressure
of being in a commission-based occupation. For many, a significant portion of their income is riding on
their ability to get the product into the hands of the consumer. So, why is this job so addictive? Perhaps
because the excessive profit margins of many brand-name pharmaceutical products can mean enormous
commissions. In addition, products are generally consumed fairly quickly and not stored, so old markets
rarely disappear; they need regular servicing. The second most attractive job feature that the sales reps
mentioned was the intellectual challenge the job imposed. Education is the norm in this field; learning
about a companys product line is like taking an advanced course in pharmacology (which many do take
during their initial years in the industry). They have to be familiar with data, statistics, and issues in the
health community to be able to communicate successfully with businesspeople and doctors. Although this
job has some aspects that are unquestionably grueling-one sales rep said he put in 184 days on the road
in 1994-many love it, and love is the only term that accurately describes their zeal, dedication, and
willingness to make sacrifices for their job.
Paying Your Dues
Pharmaceutical sales representatives with a science background have an advantage in this profession, in
terms of both their credibility and their ability to educate themselves about product lines. A college degree
is standard for this job, with many employers looking favorably on graduate work. Useful courses include
biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, organic chemistry, English, public speaking, finance, and
negotiation techniques. Professional education is the norm for all sales representatives, both on their own
products and on other companies product lines. The ability to read a scientific study and examine its
assumptions is critical to a PSRs success. Licensing is available through professional organizations, but
it is not required to advance to managerial positions.
Associated Careers
Pharmaceutical sales representatives go into sales positions in other professions-as systems marketers
or service sales representatives, for example-where their selling skills are valued, but where scientific
knowledge is less important. Some PSRs are willing to give up the scientific element of their job in order
to go into a profession where it is easier to advance and easier to maintain a satisfying family life.
A
ABLBiotechnologiesLtd
AareyDrugs&PharmaceuticalsLtd
AbbottIndiaLimited
AddLifePharmaLtd
AdinathBioLabLtd
AhlconParenterals(India)Ltd
AjantaPharmaLtd
AlbertDavidLtd
AlchemistLtd
AlembicLtd
AlpaLaboratoriesLtd
AmbalalSarabhaiEnterprisesLtd
AnkurDrugs&PharmaLtd
Anu'sLaboratoriesLtd
AnuhPharmaLtd
ArvindRemediesLtd
AstrazenecaPharmaIndiaLtd
AuroLaboratoriesLtd
AurobindoPharmaLtd
AustralCokeandProjectsLtd
AventisPharmaLimited
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BDHIndustriesLtd
BacilPharmaLtd
BafnaPharmaceuticalsLtd
BalPharmaLtd
BerylDrugsLtd
BharatImmunologicals&BiologicalsCorpn.Ltd
BioconLimited
BiofilChemicals&PharmaceuticalsLtd
BlissGVSPharmaLtd
BrabourneEnterprisesLtd
BrawnPharmaceuticalsLtd
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CaplinPointLaboratoriesLtd
CelestialLabsLtd
CentenialSurgicalSutureLtd.
CiplaLtd.
ColinzLaboratoriesLtd
ConsolidatedFibres&ChemicalsLtd
CoralLaboratoriesLtd
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DILLtd
DishmanPharmaceuticals&ChemicalsLtd
Divi'SLaboratoriesLtd
Dr.Reddy'sLaboratoriesLimited
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ElderPharmaceuticalsLtd
ElderProjectsLtd
ElectrosteelCastingsLtd.
EverestOrganicsLtd
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FreseniusKabiOncologyLtd
Fulford(India)Ltd
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GennexLaboratoriesLtd
GlaxoSmithKlinePharmaceuticalsLimited
GlenmarkPharmaceuticalsLimited
GodavariDrugsLtd
GranulesIndiaLtd
GuficBiosciencesLtd
GujaratInject(Kerala)Ltd
GujaratTerceLaboratoriesLtd
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HarleystreetPharmaceuticalsLtd
HesterBiosciencesLtd
HindustanBioSciencesLtd
HiranOrgochemLtd
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IndSwiftLaboratoriesLtd
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InwinexPharmaceuticalsLtd.
IpcaLaboratoriesLtd
IshitaDrugs&Inds.Ltd
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JBChemicals&PharmaceuticalsLtd
JKPharmachemLtd
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JenburktPharmaceuticalsLtd
JubilantOrganosysLtd
JupiterBioscienceLtd
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KDLBiotechLtd
KappacPharmaLtd
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KilitchDrugs(India)Ltd
KopranLtd
KrebsBiochemicals&Inds.Ltd
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Lactose(India)Ltd
LincolnPharmaceuticalsLtd
LupinLimited
LykaLabsLtd
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MangalamDrugs&OrganicsLtd
MarksansPharmaLtd
MatrixLaboratoriesLimited
MediCapsLtd
MedicamenBiotechLtd
MerckLtd.
MorepenLaboratoriesLtd
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NGLFineChemLtd
NatcoPharmaLtd
NaturalCapsulesLtd
NectarLifesciencesLtd
NeulandLaboratoriesLtd
NovartisIndiaLimited
NutraplusProducts(India)Ltd
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OmkarPharmachemLtd
OrchidChemicals&PharmaceuticalsLimited
OrtinLaboratoriesLtd.
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PIDrugs&PharmaceuticalsLtd
PanaceaBiotecLimited
PanchsheelOrganicsLtd
PanjonLtd
ParenteralDrugs(India)Ltd
PfizerLimited
PhaarmasiaLtd
PharmaidsPharmaceuticalsLtd
PiramalLifeSciencesLtd
PlethicoPharmaceuticalsLtd
PrincipalPharmaceuticals&ChemicalsLtd
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RanbaxyLaboratoriesLimited
RoopaIndustriesLtd
RubraMedicamentsLtd
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SMSPharmaceuticalsLtd.
SSOrganicsLtd
SaamyaBiotech(India)Ltd
SamratPharmachemLtd
SanduPharmaceuticalsLtd
SanjivaniParanteralLtd
ShamrockIndustrialCompanyLtd
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ShasunChemicals&DrugsLtd
ShilpaMedicareLtd
SirisLtd
SmruthiOrganicsLtd
SolvayPharmaIndiaLtd
SreeRayalaseemaAlkalies&AlliedChemicalsLtd
SterlingBiotechLtd
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SunPharmaAdvancedResearchCompanyLtd
SunPharmaceuticalInds.Ltd
SunPharmaceuticalIndustriesLimited
SupriyaPharmaceuticalsLtd
SuryaPharmaceuticalLtd
SuvenLifeSciencesLtd
Sword&ShieldPharmaLtd
SyncomFormulations(India)Ltd
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ThemisMedicareLtd
TorrentPharmaceuticalsLimited
TransAsiaCorpn.Ltd
TranschemLtd
TriochemProductsLtd
TriveniGlassLtd.
TwilightLitakaPharmaLtd
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UnichemLaboratoriesLtd
UnjhaFormulationsLtd
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VardhamanLaboratoriesLtd
VenkatPharmaLtd
VenmaxDrugsPharmaceuticalsLtd
VenusRemediesLtd
VeronicaLaboratoriesLtd
VistaPharmaceuticalsLtd
VivimedLabsLtd
VysaliPharmaceuticalsLtd
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WanburyLtd
WelcureDrugs&PharmaceuticalsLtd
WintacLtd
WockhardtLimited
WyethLtd.
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Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd
Zenotech Laboratories Ltd
Zyden Gentec Ltd