The Indian pharmaceutical industry has emerged as the dominant force in the global marketplace in the last decade. As the world’s largest manufacturer of generic drugs, it supplies over 50 percent of global demand, providing critical vaccines and medicines across the world. It also produces pharmaceutical scientists who are leading innovations and improving the quality of healthcare services.

As per the Economic Survey 2020-21, the domestic pharma sector is expected to triple in size over the coming decade, to reach $120-130 billion by 2030 from the current estimate of $41 billion in 2021^[1]. Sizable investments in research & development and manufacturing are also fuelling a robust increase in employment opportunities.

Despite its remarkable growth, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is not without its challenges. The past one year has not only highlighted the vast gap in the country’s public healthcare infrastructure, but has also demonstrated the tremendous potential of technology in bridging it.

Pharmaceutical managers are critical to lead expanding opportunities in corporate R&D, retail, sales & marketing, analytics, and supply chain. They are also required to spearhead the more administrative and academic requirements in clinical research, policy and regulations.

Now, with the increasing application of new and emerging technology in the industry, and the scope of data-driven public healthcare, there is a greater requirement for managers with the ability to harness technology in tandem with their domain expertise, manage cross-cultural teams, and drive strategic organisational growth.

The NMIMS Advantage

NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) in Mumbai, and School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPTM) in Shirpur and Hyderabad, offer several programs to meet this growing demand for healthcare-managers in the pharma industry.

Since the launch of Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) in 2006, followed by School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPTM), under the aegis of SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed-to-be-University, the schools have been pioneers in the field of pharmacy management in India, known for their holistic education that grooms industry-ready graduates.

With AICTE-approved programs, the schools are known for their state-of-the-art campuses at Mumbai, Shirpur and Hyderabad, and a continuously-updated curriculum that is responsive to industry needs. The schools have also received recognition for excellence in learning, with SPPSPTM being adjudged Best Educational Institute in Pharmacy by World Education Congress Global Awards, and Best Institute of Pharmacy by DNA and Star Group, and SPTM, Shirpur, being chosen for the Innovative Education Award by DNA & Star Group.

Since their inception, SPPSPTM and SPTM have created significant inroads into the pharma industry. With a well-established and deep industry network, they are among the few pharma schools in India that offer students hands-on experience in the field with Capstone projects, industrial training, and internships. The focus is on developing a practical approach that is cognisant of on-ground realities.

Integrated B. Pharm. + MBA (Pharm. Tech.)

The five-year, dual-degree B. Pharm. + MBA (Pharma. Tech.) is a customised, industry-relevant program for students who wish to pursue a rewarding career in pharmacy, providing them with management expertise as well as technical knowledge of the pharmacy domain. Successful candidates are awarded with both B. Pharm and MBA degrees in Pharmaceutical Technology at the end of the program. Apply now.

Integrated M. Pharm. + MBA (Pharma. Tech. & Healthcare Management)

This is a three-year, dual-degree program which equips students with managerial dexterities as well as advanced research skills, to produce healthcare-managers capable of leading the industry through cutting-edge innovation. In addition to an MBA, successful candidates also receive an M. Pharm. degree with specialisation in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Industrial Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Technology.

Both Integrated B. Pharm. + MBA (Pharm. Tech.) and Integrated M. Pharm. + MBA (Pharma. Tech. & Healthcare Management) allow aspirants to save one year and forego the stress of appearing for B-School entrance examinations.

In addition to the integrated programs, NMIMS also offers programs for D. Pharm., B. Pharm., M. Pharm., and Ph.D. The two-year D. Pharm. program, designed in accordance with Pharmacy Council of India regulations, trains students for hospital and community pharmacy roles, while the four-year, PCI-approved B. Pharm program prepares graduates with a keen focus on healthcare, through practice and expert interaction. The two-year M. Pharm program provides further technical domain knowledge through specialisations in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Through the Ph.D. program, NMIMS nurtures the development of world-class researchers and academicians who possess the critical and analytical thinking necessary to pioneer innovation in the industry.

Career Prospects

With its all-around grooming and academic rigour, NMIMS ensures that the graduates are industry-ready. SPPSPTM and SPTM have highly-active placement cells with a strong network across various verticals, including FMCG, market research, medical devices, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, consulting companies, health insurance, hospitals, and clinical research organisations. The Schools also have a strong connect with alumni who are working in diverse career roles, such as business analysts, marketing & sales managers, pharmacovigilance professionals, quality assurance officers, researchers, clinical data managers, medical writers, and formulation scientists. Other emerging areas in this field include novel drug delivery systems, pharmacological research & evaluation, computer-aided drug design, analytical method development, and phytochemicals.

To build a successful career in the fast-developing pharmaceutical industry, aspirants today need a holistic education that combines managerial training with pharma-tech domain knowledge. NMIMS grooms skilled healthcare professionals who have the ability and the skill to take on the emerging challenges of a highly competitive global market.

To know more, please visit https://pharmacy.nmims.edu/.

^[1] https://www.ibef.org/industry/pharmaceutical-india.aspx