Pharmacy : Introduction
Pharmacy or Pharmacology is one of the main disciplines under Biomedical
Science and the pharmaceutical industry. There are many disciplines within
the Biomedical sciences.
Pharmacy is related to health sciences. It is the profession responsible
for the preparation, dispensing and appropriate use of medication and
which provides services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. A Pharmacists
job is to prepare, mix, compound or dispense drugs and medicines, ointments,
powder, pills, tablets and injections on the prescription of a medical
practitioner, dentist or veterinarian.
In detail, they are concerned with production of pharmaceutical products,
development of the methods or processes of production and quality control.
Those in research concern themselves with synthesis of new drugs (what
is commonly referred to as molecules), new processes, clinical testing
of the effects of such drugs on animals and humans, and obtaining the
required License from the drug control authorities. A pharmacist is
required to explain the mode and precautions regarding the use of medicines
dispensed in a hospital pharmacy, prepare special formulations normally
not available in the market, assist the physician in rendering necessary
information about various drugs, their contra-indications, incompatibility
etc.
There are over 225 programs in Pharmacy conducted by different universities
in India. The main courses in Pharmacy are the 2 years Diploma in Pharmacy
(D.Pharm), 4 years Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), 2 years Master of Pharmacy
(M.Pharm) and Ph.d programmes.
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