As a pharmacy student, this is a question that has been bothering me for a long time.
Every year, many of us spend nearly ₹2 lakh or more on our education. Pharmacy is not an easy course. We study pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, clinical pharmacy, and hospital pharmacy. We complete internships, practicals, research work, and prepare for competitive exams with the hope of building a meaningful career.
But when we graduate, reality is often very different.
I have personally heard this from many of my seniors. When they attended hospital interviews, they were told something like this: “We already have graduates from other science streams who are willing to work for ₹10,000–₹20,000 per month. If we hire a B.Pharm graduate, we are expected to pay more. If you are willing to work for the same salary, you can join.”
This is not an isolated experience. Many pharmacy graduates have faced similar situations. The problem is not only about salary, it is about how the value of pharmacy education is being overlooked.
At the same time, I do not believe hospitals alone should be blamed. From an employer’s perspective, if qualified candidates from other backgrounds are willing to accept lower salaries, hospitals may naturally choose the less expensive option. This is exactly why stronger policies and clearer regulations are needed. The government should define and protect the professional roles of pharmacy graduates so that the knowledge and skills gained through years of specialized education are properly recognized.
If pharmacy graduates are expected to spend lakhs of rupees, study an intensive curriculum, pass difficult university examinations, complete internships, and continuously update their knowledge, then there should be career opportunities and salaries that reflect those expectations. This is one of the reasons why many pharmacy graduates choose to build their careers abroad in countries such as the UAE, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany etc.
India is proudly known as the “Pharmacy of the World” because of its pharmaceutical manufacturing strength. But at the same time, many pharmacy graduates feel that pharmacists themselves are still fighting for recognition within the country.
This is not about asking for special treatment. It is about asking for fairness. Pharmacy professionals deserve opportunities that match their education, responsibilities, and contribution to healthcare. I sincerely hope that one day India will value its pharmacists just as much as it values the medicines they help develop, dispense, and safeguard.
MBH/DB