The pandemic’s multiple waves and subsequent national lockdowns have presented many challenges for India’s pharmacy education and pharmacy practice. However, educators and policymakers have risen to the occasion, and their response has advanced the profession. Since community-based pharmacists have played critical roles in providing care during this crisis, chances of job opportunities for pharmacy graduates and researchers will increase alarmingly in the years to come. To grab these opportunities, pharmacy colleges need to align their teaching and processes with technological advancements to produce future graduates in conformity with the industry’s requirements.
At present, India ranks 3rd worldwide for pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value. The country has an established domestic pharmaceutical industry, with a strong network of 3,000 drug companies and over 10,500 manufacturing units. According to IBEF, India’s domestic pharmaceutical market is estimated at USD 42 billion in 2021 and likely to reach US$ 65 billion by 2024 and further expand to reach USD 120-130 billion by 2030. In Post COVID-19 scenario, the role of pharmaceutical professionals is likely to increase, which will open more career opportunities in this sector. In a nutshell, there is no better time than now to take up programs in pharmacy, as it is likely to offer promising and enriching careers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector at the global level with lucrative salary packages in the Post COVID-19 scenario.
In this issue, we had identified ‘10 Must-Wath Pharmacy Colleges in India -2021’ that have created a niche for themselves by imparting an industry-oriented pharmacy education. Despite the challenge of a pandemic, these institutions have set an example of how prime pharmacists should conduct themselves in a global professional setting. We feature Nitte College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NCOPS) on the cover, which aims to generate competent, skilled manpower to face the scientific and social challenges with a high degree of credibility, integrity, and ethical standards.
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