bizme:




Pharmacists are one of the very few professionals that are rarely jobless. It is not uncommon for a Nigerian pharmacist to have multiple jobs and sources of income, except those very docile and sedentary ones. It is in higher demand than nursing, medicine etc. However, it is one of the toughest courses to study and you need more than cramming: you need to be well-rounded in mathematical, chemical, biological, and legal aspects.

True. i have never met a jobless pharmacist. My woman rejected offers from lagos state gov, unilag and GSK when we lived in Nigeria. These were all paying over 100k, and this was just a year or two after grad. I cant think of any other profession that can do that in Nigeria.

CaraJewel:
Pls tell mi about Mls in terms of wat u wrote about pharm.oops jxt saw whr u posted a pharmacist.tho i wish u can stil gv mi an insight if u knw
tnx

MLS is the bedrock of modern medicine, we solve all health related problems

it's not a paramedical course

billyG:

Multimillionaires for producing drugs like paracetamol or selliing made in china drugs like chemists?

You are uninformed, you knw little about drugs. You regard paracetamol as an ordinary drug, it is not. Infact it has no substitute, it's the only agent in its class. It is a life-saving drug, the best anti-pyretic that no drug has been able to beat. Learn to get informed before commenting on what you have little knowledge in.
If only you have idea of how expensive and time- consuming drug research is, you would appreciate the scientists involved.

Also, selling made in china drugs as u put it, is legal and most encouraged in a developing nation like Nigeria, for those that meet minimum standards. These are generics and are more affordable compared to brands that majority of the population cannot afford.

femi4:
Imagine 100k a month? When a trainee in my field goes home with 300k in engineering field

trainee in what field? How many trainees get recruited by oil companies per year?Engineering students constitute the greatest percentage of unemployed graduates,,,Even with a masters,,you probably stand no chance.

It's very hard to get into oil firms,,very very very difficult..
Nnpc,chevron, shell,haliburton are laying off workers talkless of recruiting..I have a lot of them as friends and I pity them a lot..
A lot of them after years of fruitless job searching go into finance sector after getting ican,MBA and ACCA.. apparently contravening the career path.

Alvaropromise:
peepz be acting like an auto corrector... so if MLS is wrong..ur dead brain did not tell ya that Doctor is wrong too huh?

You are blessed.

AlphaT1:

You are uninformed, you knw little about drugs. You regard paracetamol as an ordinary drug, it is not. Infact it has no substitute, it's the only agent in its class. It is a life-saving drug, the best anti-pyretic that no drug has been able to beat. Learn to get informed before commenting on what you have little knowledge in.
If only you have idea of how expensive and time- consuming drug research is, you would appreciate the scientists involved.

Also, selling made in china drugs as u put it, is legal and most encouraged in a developing nation like Nigeria, for those that meet minimum standards. These are generics and are more affordable compared to brands that majority of the population cannot afford.

common are u telling me paracetamol has no alternatives hav u heard of aspirin,ibruprofen,acetimophen.

delerx:
I am a pharmacist but so sure this guy is a new bee in the comb. Wait till after some years and see how ur banking and engineering friends r doing. Or u think it's by those flashy cars company's give them . The truth is that we r not without jobs, @least a 100k salary is sure for a new bee.in years to come I see the profession going down the drain

Going down d drain?Why??
Engineering friends,,how may of them get recruited into oil firms,,a lot of them are laying off workers talkless of recruiting.
one of my friends graduated with a first class in Mech engnr and did his masters in mechatronics and tunneling,Michigan for that matter,and yet searched far and wide with no job,he went for ACCA after 4yrs before getting recruited as an ET in diamond,yet,got laid off recently,,

I actually expect you to be learned but you appear kind of ignorant,I've once worked as an EA in union bank in d marketing department,targets are fvcking crazy,,8-10pm everyday and sometimes 11,12pm,no time for my family,nothing,,A civil service job is better,,Private works are overhyed.jor

bizme:


I still do not understand why anyone has to cram to study for a pharmacy degree. I immensely enjoyed my undergrad years as a pharmacy students, and yes I attended one of the most difficult faculties of pharmacy in Nigeria. Admittedly, majority of Nigerian students (be they Pharmacy students, Medical students, Yoruba, Business Admin students..etc) feel the need to cram to bag their respective degrees. That in itself is a failure of the educational system we run. And it is not limited to Pharmacy students. Students need to cram when the curriculum is lopsided in favour of didactic teaching to the detriment of exposure to real life situations. As a pharmacy student I found every bit of the experience fascinating, the microbiology, the biochemistry, the pharmacology, the pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, the pharmaceutics, the pharmacognosy, the forensics...
I just wish our educators in the country would have the courage to make learning more exciting than it currently is.

As men of honour, we join hands.

. so u didn't cram the shikimic pathway?? If I hear.....

Victurh:
Pharmacy is a 5yr course+ 1yr internship+ 1yr Nysc. Any student who wishes to study pharmacy must first of all love chemistry!. And must be very good in phy maths bio.
Pharmacy is a course dat has a whole faculty dedicated to it alone (faculty of pharmacy) and comprises of five branches and one unit;
- Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy administration
- Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacognosy
- Pharmacology
- Drug research and production unit

To be a pharmacist, u must be able to cram. People often said that if u can study pharmacy, u can study medicine conveniently.
The sole work of a pharmacist is to ensure proper dispensation and usage of drugs.
Remember, only pharmacists are licensed to import, dispense and sell drugs.
As a pharmacist, u have career options in
(a). Community pharmacy

1. Ur license is being used by another personnel to get his/ her pharmacy store registered with grants ranging from 500K and above (depending on how big the company is). Why dat amount?. Because using ur license would result into you being the owner of the company and u are d one recognised by PCN as the owner and d risk bearer.
You still have d opportunity to work in d same person's pharmacy company as d chief pharmacist or as a pharmacist in another pharmacy outlet wit a salary of 80K for a start, apart from d grant u were given 4 using ur license, and u can withdraw it after a yr depending on ur agreement.
2. U'll have a registered pharmacy store and u are a boss on ur own, provided u have the money

(a). Industrial pharmacists

1. Pharmacists work as Medical Sales Representatives in National and multi- national pharmaceutical industries/ companies, where you are given a car, laptop (in some) with pay above 100K.
The likes of Neimeth, Roche, Sandoz Norvatis, Emzor, Reckitt benckiser, Gsk and so on are top companies dat employ mainly Pharmacists.
2. Some work as research pharmacists, who are the brains behind the ingredients, testing and correct mixing of the drugs.
3. NAFDAC is majorly for pharmacists, wit some other health workers too, tho

(c). Hospital pharmacy

U work in the pharmacy section of an hospital

Pharmacists deserve all dz pay because they worth it. They went through 'hell' in the Univ. not only them tho. Even medical students often have issues wit pharmacology, which is just one of d key areas of pharmacy.

Above all, Pray!!!. Put God first in all things.

This is not to discourage people in oda fields, all successful people aren't pharmacists.

Every area of life has its own stress, toughness and MONEY too, since nobody came to dz life to suffer.

Peace..

When I filled pharmacy (1st and 2nd choices) in my JAMB form some yrs ago, my dad (of blessed memory) insisted that I must change it to medicine (MBBS), I refused and stood my ground. It wasn’t an easy war. Even though I was an all round excellent student, I had soft spot for chemistry and so I preferred pharmacy to medicine. And I have never regretted that decision.

I graduated with a distinction eventually. My salary as an intern was 139k and I was able to save 800K (for the 12 months). In my NYSC I was posted to a missionary hospital to head a pharmacy dept (of 5 Pharm. Techs and 12 dispensers). I brought a turn around in d dept and was making monthly purchase of over 3million Naira. Jst after two months the MD increased my salary from 50K to 80K with a weekly recharge card allowance of 2K. My house was furnished and equipped with dstv and Internet facility. Four months into service, the MD added to my care the PMCT unit that was being funded by GHAIN and my salary increased to 120K. 6months into service GHAIN absorbed me as their staff and offered me 250K (allowance inclusive). I was able to save upto to 3.5million Naira from service yr. I passed out from NYSC and continued with GHAIN for one yr (earning upto 5mil per annum). When I showed dad my savings, he couldn't believe it. Over 8mil jst one yr after graduation? Wow! You made the right choice son. God bless your choice. I was wrong.

I left GHAIN to go for MSc but lost dad midway and had to go look for work, I got two offers from federal hospitals but rejected both. Got assistant lecturer position with a federal university but turned it down still. Got a multinational with a very good pay and benefits, went for their training but never resumed.
Finally picked up the one I am doing now.

Before my dad passed on, he was convinced that indeed it's good to allow children follow their interest (if such are good). Just guide them as a parent.

Almost all my close friends (from that group of excellent students) in secondary school went for MBBS. We are still friends to date but none of them is yet to achieve 1/2 of what I have been able to achieve within this short period....

Just go for what you love, study hard and make a good grade, prepare and Pray for a good job, be prudent, save well and plan for the future.

God bless.

billyG:

common are u telling me paracetamol has no alternatives hav u heard of aspirin,ibruprofen,acetimophen.

Hahhahaha, that's why I said you are not informed, just don't comment on what you have limited knowledge in. Acetaminophen is another scientific name for paracetamol (mostly used in the U.S).
Aspirin and Ibuprofen are NSAIDs and not paracetamol substitutes. They are analgesics (pain killers) with very little anti-pyretic effect. No doctor in his right senses would ordinarily start giving you NSAIDs for pyrexia. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are not good in ulcer patients, asthmatics, infants etc. Paracetamol is not contra-indicated in the above conditions. I am using simple plain language so you would understand.
It is because you are in Nigeria where everything goes, if not only trained professionals handle drug matters overseas.

Boy o boy. I m not ignorant,I am sure u r not married that's y u r using the word' lucrative' the profession is just ok not lucrative.our older colleagues r even making the profession scary witch hunting younger pharmacists .but things being equal, engineers r beta paid. Do u no the stress some med reps go thru,or u think they don't get sacked too. But all the same I am a proud and happy pharmacist. Anyways buzz me on my whatsapp 07030409811
Let's chat and reason together

Boy o boy. I m not ignorant,I am sure u r not married that's y u r using the word' lucrative' the profession is just ok not lucrative.our older colleagues r even making the profession scary witch hunting younger pharmacists .but things being equal, engineers r beta paid. Do u no the stress some med reps go thru,or u think they don't get sacked too. But all the same I am a proud and happy pharmacist. Anyways buzz me on my whatsapp 07030409811
Let's chat and reason together

Ogbeni pharmacy student bawo. 07030409811

olaajilaran:


it appears you are a pharmacy student.. kindly drop your WhatsApp number, let me add you... I'm also an aspirant.
let's chat please.

bizme:


Check your inbox, I just sent you an e-mail.

Pls sir... I need it too, would be glad if you can send it to me.. emmanuelaigbiremhon@yahoo.com.

NB... on MLS.

thanks.

O boy? Where did u train train. U tried with those savings. 07030409811 Let's chat.as men of honour...

AlphaT1:


When I filled pharmacy (1st and 2nd choices) in my JAMB form some yrs ago, my dad (of blessed memory) insisted that I must change it to medicine (MBBS), I refused and stood my ground. It wasn’t an easy war. Even though I was an all round excellent student, I had soft spot for chemistry and so I preferred pharmacy to medicine. And I have never regretted that decision.

I graduated with a distinction eventually. My salary as an intern was 139k and I was able to save 800K (for the 12 months). In my NYSC I was posted to a missionary hospital to head a pharmacy dept (of 5 Pharm. Techs and 12 dispensers). I brought a turn around in d dept and was making monthly purchase of over 3million Naira. Jst after two months the MD increased my salary from 50K to 80K with a weekly recharge card allowance of 2K. My house was furnished and equipped with dstv and Internet facility. Four months into service, the MD added to my care the PMCT unit that was being funded by GHAIN and my salary increased to 120K. 6months into service GHAIN absorbed me as their staff and offered me 250K (allowance inclusive). I was able to save upto to 3.5million Naira from service yr. I passed out from NYSC and continued with GHAIN for one yr (earning upto 5mil per annum). When I showed dad my savings, he couldn't believe it. Over 8mil jst one yr after graduation? Wow! You made the right choice son. God bless your choice. I was wrong.

I left GHAIN to go for MSc but lost dad midway and had to go look for work, I got two offers from federal hospitals but rejected both. Got assistant lecturer position with Unilag but turned it down still. Got a multinational with a very good pay and benefits, went for their training but never resumed.
Finally picked up the one I am doing now.

Before my dad passed on, he was convinced that indeed it's good to allow children follow their interest (if such are good). Just guide them as a parent.

Almost all my close friends (from that group of excellent students) in secondary school went for MBBS. We are still friends to date but none of them is yet to achieve 1/2 of what I have been able to achieve within this short period....

Just go for what you love, study hard and make a good grade, prepare and Pray for a good job, be prudent, save well and plan for the future.

God bless.

As men of honour

EdoBoy90:
. Do u know who you are calling a pharmacy student? Can you say Sir or Madam whichever case?

I'm sorry.
OK sir can I have your WhatsApp number

AlphaT1:


When I filled pharmacy (1st and 2nd choices) in my JAMB form some yrs ago, my dad (of blessed memory) insisted that I must change it to medicine (MBBS), I refused and stood my ground. It wasn’t an easy war. Even though I was an all round excellent student, I had soft spot for chemistry and so I preferred pharmacy to medicine. And I have never regretted that decision.

I graduated with a distinction eventually. My salary as an intern was 139k and I was able to save 800K (for the 12 months). In my NYSC I was posted to a missionary hospital to head a pharmacy dept (of 5 Pharm. Techs and 12 dispensers). I brought a turn around in d dept and was making monthly purchase of over 3million Naira. Jst after two months the MD increased my salary from 50K to 80K with a weekly recharge card allowance of 2K. My house was furnished and equipped with dstv and Internet facility. Four months into service, the MD added to my care the PMCT unit that was being funded by GHAIN and my salary increased to 120K. 6months into service GHAIN absorbed me as their staff and offered me 250K (allowance inclusive). I was able to save upto to 3.5million Naira from service yr. I passed out from NYSC and continued with GHAIN for one yr (earning upto 5mil per annum). When I showed dad my savings, he couldn't believe it. Over 8mil jst one yr after graduation? Wow! You made the right choice son. God bless your choice. I was wrong.

I left GHAIN to go for MSc but lost dad midway and had to go look for work, I got two offers from federal hospitals but rejected both. Got assistant lecturer position with Unilag but turned it down still. Got a multinational with a very good pay and benefits, went for their training but never resumed.
Finally picked up the one I am doing now.

Before my dad passed on, he was convinced that indeed it's good to allow children follow their interest (if such are good). Just guide them as a parent.

Almost all my close friends (from that group of excellent students) in secondary school went for MBBS. We are still friends to date but none of them is yet to achieve 1/2 of what I have been able to achieve within this short period....

Just go for what you love, study hard and make a good grade, prepare and Pray for a good job, be prudent, save well and plan for the future.

God bless.

good day sir/madam.
I'm a pharmacy aspirant, and I've been discouraged by a lot of negative comments about pharmacy.
your write up, above motivates me a lot .
And I'll love to be in contact with you.
Can I have your WhatsApp number please?
I'll love to chat with you.

AlphaT1:

Hahhahaha, that's why I said you are not informed, just don't comment on what you have limited knowledge in. Acetaminophen is another scientific name for paracetamol (mostly used in the U.S).
Aspirin and Ibuprofen are NSAIDs and not paracetamol substitutes. They are analgesics (pain killers) with very little anti-pyretic effect. No doctor in his right senses would ordinarily start giving you NSAIDs for pyrexia. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are not good in ulcer patients, asthmatics, infants etc. Paracetamol is not contra-indicated in the above conditions. I am using simple plain language so you would understand.
It is because you are in Nigeria where everything goes, if not only trained professionals handle drug matters overseas.

I rest ma case oga pharmacist,d acetaminophen stuff was an act of commission.

olaajilaran:


it appears you are a pharmacy student.. kindly drop your WhatsApp number, let me add you... I'm also an aspirant.

I am a pharmacist, and not a pharmacy student. We are looking forward to your joining us in the profession.

EdoBoy90:
. Professor, I greet you Sir.

Good to see you again sir. And happy Sunday.

femi4:
Imagine 100k a month? When a trainee in my field goes home with 300k in engineering field

You are right. 100k per month is not a lot. But for a pharmacist fully maximizing opportunities he 300k is also too small. In fact, 300k is an amount he can conveniently make per day. Not per month.

In any case, you are not truly practising as a pharmacist if all you do is collect salaries, even if it is 2m per month.

people3:
chemist and pharmacy no definite different btw Them... Veterinarian medicine is more harder and difficult than pharmacy.

thank you for reminding him.........pls help me ask him y he said nafdac is only meant for pharmacist,what do pharmacist know about the f=food in nafdac or what have they done about the food in nigerian.vets are more equiped to host nafdac than even the pharmacist.

Sylvarresta:
MLS is the bedrock of modern medicine, we solve all health related problems

tell me who has been lying to you?

I'm wondering if this is some form of inferiority complex on the part of the pharmacists. How come the doctors don't come here to brag about how wonderful their profession is; and how they are better than everyone else. You guys should learn to run on your lane, nobody is dragging your profession with you

salveoP:
. so u didn't cram the shikimic pathway?? If I hear.....

I guess we are different. And we have different levels of motivation for studying pharmacy.

Every aspect of the programme was enjoyable. I did not have to cram. There was no year during my undergrad that my CGPA fell below 4.50 all through the five years. And yes, I went to one of the toughest pharmacy schools in Nigeria- OAU. But my method of reading was a little different. I used to read one or two sessions ahead. before resuming into 200 Level I had on my own finished Radiopharmacy and the likes, all 400L pharmchem topics. Class lectures were mostly revisions for me. I had (still do) have a peculiar interest in pharmacy.

Pharmacognosy is one of the most hated courses. But not for me. Right now using programming, and state-of-the-art CADD methods I am mining Nigerian plants' secondary metabolites for lead compounds for disease treatment. Last weekend I made an unprecedented breakthrough in using the method to identify three compounds that reversed RBC sickling (in vitro) in donated SCD patients' blood.
Pharmchem is one of the most feared courses. But for me it was one course I didn't have to read to clear As. Why? Because pharmchem provides me with the highest level of fascination: all drug interaction with the biological system is chemical in nature. Modify a moiety on your molecule and you get a new spectrum of activity. Methylate morphine and you get codeine with entirely new biological activity (antitussive), diminished narcotic effect, heightened gastro intestinal effect...
And pharmacology...for me it's one and the same with pharmaceutical chemistry; you're simply mapping out biological effects of chemical substances. And at research level, there's hardly any difference from medicinal chemistry.
Pharmaceutics nko? How else would I optimize therapy when I have no clue how to assure bioavailability by rationally choosing a dosage form and delivery system that can achieve that? How else would I be able to prepare extemporaneously in a way that targets each patient's individuality? How else would I know why to discourage the harmful and ridiculous practice of boiling Alabunkun (acetylsalicylic acid) in 7up?
Clinical pharmacy...is the melting point for all our courses, especially for some of us at community pharmacies.

So no, I didn't have to cram the Shikimic acid pathway. And it is simple how not to cram; try reading to understand and not just to pass.

karcin:
I'm wondering if this is some form of inferiority complex on the part of the pharmacists. How come the doctors don't come here to brag about how wonderful their profession is; and how they are better than everyone else. You guys should learn to run on your lane, nobody is dragging your profession with you

I don't think this thread is really about doctors or medicine as a degree programme. There is no reason for you to interpret this gesture by the Op as signalling inferiority complex. And there is nothing bad in people coming out claiming Carpentry is the best vocation. Yes, for some people it is the best vocation, for others no.

If pharmacy is not the best for you, that is all fine and dandy. That in itself is not a reason to call others' excitement a show of inferiority complex.

Pharmacy is tough but its not a medical course from a medical student abroad

drey08:
Pharmacy is tough but its not a medical course from a medical student abroad

You're right. I believe the Op made a mistake in using the word "medical" for pharmacy. Pharmacy is not a medical course, it is a pharmaceutical course. If it is possible to correct the tag, and the Op is disposed to doing so, then that will be great. If not, we can allow for the error.

Pharmacy is a noble profession, it is versatile and very lucrative.

lookingfly:
tell me who has been lying to you?

Tell him what it is so he won't dwell in the lies again