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If getting into medical school is a problem, a fallback that makes for an exciting alternative career is Pharmacy. With the complexities of modern medicine and the thousands of drugs being developed and dispensed every day health professionals and the general public have come to rely quite heavily on the specialised knowledge of pharmacists. This along with the massive growth in the pharmaceutical industry has created an increasing demand for trained pharmacists. Pharmacists work on developing and preparing different medicinal drugs used in the prevention and cure of diseases. They also study the properties, usage and effects of various drugs and test drugs for purity and strength. Moreover, pharmacists dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by physicians, surgeons, dentists and other specialists. Pharmacists who work in drug manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies are involved in the production and marketing of the medicines produced. This involves working in medical analytical laboratories, and supervising or preparing the solutions and compounds that are mixed together to form powders, tablets, capsules, ointments and so on. It also requires testing of reactions of the drugs before they are introduced in hospitals and drug stores. Pharmacists are also involved in the planning, promoting and distribution of drugs and pharmaceuticals so as to satisfy the needs of the consumers. Most professional pharmacists are involved in retailing of drugs and as representatives of pharmaceutical companies. Retail pharmacists prepare and dispense drugs on prescription and are expected to provide over the counter advice on the use of the medicines prescribed, as well as handle the business and marketing aspects of running a chemists shop.
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Some of the prominent institutions offering courses in pharmacy include:
Capacity for original thought; intelligence; a scientific bent of mind; logical thinking; ability to concentrate on work; inquisitiveness; patience; sense of responsibility; spirit of team work.
There are various job opportunities open to Pharmacists:
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