Hello MedBound Family!
One of the biggest Problems of pharmacy students faced is to choose between this two path - Clinical or Industrial?
A. Clinical Pharmacy:
1.Hospital-based practice.
2.Focus on patient care, medication therapy management.
3.Pharm.D or M.Pharm (Pharmacy Practice) preferred.
Roles in clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, and drug safety
B. Industrial Pharmacy:
1.Work in formulation, R&D, QA/QC, regulatory affairs.
2.Ideal after M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics, Industrial, or Regulatory.
3.Higher salary , especially with experience.
Factors to Consider:
I. Are you people-oriented or process-driven?
II. Passion for direct patient care or love for formulation science?
III. Long-term goals: research, teaching, or corporate growth?
•Let’s make this a career guide thread. Share your paths, regrets, or tips.
In hospital , as B.pharm graduate getting clinical job are hard . but getting industrial exposure is easy . Talking about M.pharm , for clinical role mostly PharmD are preferred . so have industry exposure
If you’re aiming for a future in R&D, start by pursuing M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics or Pharmacology from a reputed institute like NIPER. Build strong basics in experimental design, data interpretation, and analytical techniques. Engage in internships or projects with research labs or pharmaceutical companies. Consistently read scientific journals and consider publishing papers. Long-term, a Ph.D. can open doors to senior R&D roles and international opportunities.
I would like to add that Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy involves reviewing medication orders for safety and efficacy followed by drug optimisation, monitoring drug therapy and patient outcomes, conducting medication reconciliation, providing drug information, advising vaccine regimens for adults, participating in ward rounds and educating patients about their medications.
Passionate? Go for it!
But there are various challenges associated with CP Practice.
To begin with,resistance from other healthcare professionals due to overlap in roles is a major challenge. You got to explain your role to most HCPs you find in the corridor not just the outsiders. And no matter how many ever times you patiently explain them, they find it new and make you feel as an outsider. Deliberately or Unintentionally? I got no answer to this.
Moreover, lack of recognition of clinical pharmacists as integral healthcare providers is another problem.
Additionally, inadequate implementation of clinical services in many hospitals, also less financial stability.
But there’s scope!
The Pharmacy Practice Regulations (2015) encourage hospitals to include clinical pharmacists.
India’s increasing focus on patient safety and quality care is creating more demand for this profession.
I myself am working as Adult Vaccination Adviser (an emerging role) where I advise vaccines for adults and best part is I handle the AVON clinic (Vaccination clinic) within the hospital setting.
There are various emerging roles likewise.
Choosing clinical or industrial pharmacy depends on your passion—patient care versus drug development.
Consider your skills, goals, and work style. Both offer growth; align choice with your interests and long-term vision.
Factors to Consider: