PFIZER'S guide to careers in Pharmacy - A must read book for the Pharmacy students.

<< Download link >>
http://pharmacy.osu.edu/academics/in...areerGuide.pdf

We are living in the most exciting period in the history of pharmaceuticals, as new options lead to new opportunities for those of us in the field and those about to join us. Pharmacists are at a zenith in our ability to manage, cure and prevent disease.

Not long ago, people filled prescriptions content to comply with their physician’s instructions. No one ever questioned what they were taking. In fact, few people outside the healthcare field really knew much about which new drugs were available, or which worked best and why. Today, one need only turn on the television or pick up a magazine to learn about the explosion of new prescription drugs. People absorbing this information are becoming more educated and informed consumers. It also appears that an increasing number of consumers are intent on participating in their own healthcare, and when they do, they tend to turn to their neighborhood pharmacist for assistance.

Recent studies show consumers interact with their pharmacist 12 to 15 times a year compared to three or four times a year with their physicians. Often when minor symptoms erupt, the first place a patient heads is to the pharmacy, essentially throwing the pharmacist into the triage role.

While pharmacy researchers uncover these drugs, it is the practicing pharmacist who will communicate with patients about proper usage. As it now stands, almost all drugs come with a package insert of information regarding use, appropriate dosages, side effects and which drug combinations to avoid. People have come to expect this information and turn to their pharmacist with any questions before taking medication. As proof of the public’s confidence in their pharmacists, the profession is continually ranked by the Gallup Poll as the most trustworthy profession. Holding such a respected place in the healthcare system is a point of pride
among pharmacists, earned through their dedication to ending pain and suffering. Pharmacists serve in all areas of healthcare from community pharmacies to cutting-edge research, applying their unique knowledge of the power and potential of medications.

More in the book. Please Download.

Universities in USA with MS Pharmacology.

The following list of universities in USA have MS Pharmacology.
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Auburn university
Boston University
Case western University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Creighton University
Drexel University
Duquesne University
East Tennessee State University
Farleigh Dickson University, Metropolitan
Campus
Florida A&M University
Howard University
Idaho State University
Indiana state university, Bloomington
Indiana State university- Purdue University
Indianapolis
Kent State University
Long Island University, Brooklyn campus
Loyola University Chicago
Michigan State University
New York University
North Carolina state university
Northeastern University
Nova Southeastern University
The Ohio State University
Purdue University
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
SUNY Buffalo
Temple University
Tulane University The University of Arizona
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of Connecticut
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Houston
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Louisville
University of Maryland
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri- Columbia
The University of Montana- Missoula
University of North Dakota
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
The University of South Dakota
University of South Florida
University of Toledo
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin- Madison
Virginia Commonwealth University
Washington State University
Wayne State University
West Virginia University
Wright State University

Procedure for application to USA for higher studies!

USA is a little tougher than UK. It has to be done very precisely and planned manner, if wanted to get a desired course.

Courses offered by USA can be divided technically into 3 Areas.

Area 1: Pharmacy related programs
> Pharmaceutics MS
> Pharmacology MS
> Pharm D
> Medicinal Chemistry MS
> Clinical research MS
etc

Area 2: Chemistry related programs
> Biochemistry MS
> Organic Chemistry MS
etc

Area 3: Management related programs
> MBA is the most opted for

So, any pharmacy student can apply for the any of the course above.

What do you need?*

1. UG% - 60%; equivalent to GPA - 3.0+ as most universities see
2. A GRE Score; Area 1 - 1100+, Area 2- 1000+, Area 3 - 1000+
3. TOEFL [90+] most universities in USA accept, IELTS is also accepted by certain universities
4. Recommendation letters (2 in number)
5. SOP (Statement of Purpose)
6. VISA
7. Complete Financial documentation (Recommended 18+ Lakhs INR)
8. Affidavit
9. PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission test) if you want to apply to "Pharm D. ONLY"
10. Test for Spoken English, *Some universities have this requirement, but this can be done in USA after getting admission.

*Requirements might change according to some universities.

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All you need is PLANNING and doing the things at the right time
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When to do it?
You need to get your GRE, TOEFL/IELTS scores well in advance. Lets say you will apply for next year september intake, you will need to write your GRE, TOEFL and have your scores by November of this year, and apply in november itself. This gives you the advantage of getting a scholarship. And USA, as UK is also based on the first come, first serve basis so plan your things well in advance.

Once you have your GRE, TOEFL score, you can apply to any university of your choice. Check that your qualifications match the university requirements. The application fee may cost you 50-100$ per university. So check it.

Some applications are considered even after the deadline is passed. But its good to keep things in control.

Here is the list of top pharmacy colleges in USA to help you out.
http://www.pharmacychoice.com/education/ranking.cfm

Major Project] Some important sites which would be useful for searching research articles.

1. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical sciences.
http://www.ijpsonline.com/currentissue.asp?sabs=n
2. Indian Journal of Pharmacology
http://www.ijp-online.com/
3. http://www.pharmainfo.net/
4. http://www.annualreviews.org/
5. http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/journals/282/

Pharmaceutical Sales Force Training

The role of sales force training is to provide sales reps with an opportunity to overcome
deficiencies wherever they exist. Capability gaps arise when the sales reps do not have
the knowledge, skills or capabilities to implement the most appropriate customer
attraction and retention process for the company’s market segment.

Various forms of Pharmaceutical Sales Force Trainings are

1. Classroom training: Initial in-house training on disease, products, company, software, and skills.

2. Field training (on-job-training – OJT): Initial field training with trainer, supervisor, and manager.

3. Double calling: Sales calling with senior colleague, supervisor, or manager.

4. New product classroom training: Additional training before new product, formulation, or dosage launch.

5. Reminder training: Training coinciding with regular sales cycle meetings as a refresher course.

6. Initial training at corporate headquarters (HQ): Sales specialist teams invited to corporate HQ for training and motivation.

7. External training: Selling techniques or computer or presentation skills training by consultants.

8. e- Learning: Correspondence or web-based training on business administration, biology, etc.

MR Reporting Software

Information on Major Project for final year students.

As we all know there will be a project which is included in the curriculum and carries a maximum mark of 200.
Here is some information which could be useful.

The project might be any of the following area:
Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Analysis/evaluation, New drug formulations etc.

The project is shared among 4-5 students under a HOD/Guide.

A day in a week is alloted for the project for the entire semester. And make sure you follow the guidelines of the teacher to submit a fruitful project. Is it possible to do more than 1 project? Yes! If time permits and the lecturer is interested it is obviously possible to have more than one project.

By now you would be having enough knowledge about what project to do and stuff like that. If you are struggling with the idea.. consult your lecturer and he might give you the project to work on and assist.