BAMS and Pharmacy - The 2 Emerging Fields for Medical Students

BAMS and Pharmacy

TABLE OF CONTENTS



Introduction

Ayurvedic Medicine and Pharmacy courses are two medical study fields rising in popularity recently. Many students are flocking to enrol themselves in a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma) course to pursue their careers. Many international organizations like WHO have also sealed their approvals for Ayurvedic Medical Sciences, further contributing to its popularity. Accordingly, many colleges and institutes have developed courses in the same fields to accommodate the students. There are courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels too. Additionally, students can choose from one of the many specialization options for their degrees. One such institute that provides quality educational degree in Ayurveda is Sri Sai Institute. The institute admits several students every year to fill up their courses and has an excellent placement track record. To understand why these fields of study are popular, let’s understand more about the bachelor's degrees in both fields.

BAMS - Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery

BAMS or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is a 4.5-year-long course, not including the internship period. It is an undergraduate program in Ayurvedic Science. The course is meant for students who wish to work in traditional medical and Ayurvedic medicine fields. The course has grown in popularity following WHO’s official recognition of Ayurveda. Admission to BAMS is like other medical courses, based on entrance tests such as OJEE, KEAM, IPU CET, etc. Alternatively, there are higher education degrees such as MD and PhD following that for interested students.

Also Read: Which courses to pursue after BAMS?

B.Pharmacy - Bachelor of Pharmacy

Bachelor of Pharmacy, or B.Pharma in short, is an undergraduate programme in medicine and pharmacology. Students are educated about different drugs, how to manufacture them, how they affect the bodies and more. Pharmacy graduates are usually hired to work at pharmaceutical manufacturers, research facilities, hospitals and start a private practice of their own. Admission to B.Pharma course is on both merit basis and entrance examination basis. Popularly, university-level tests like BHU UET, PUCET UG, and BITSAT are accepted for B.Pharma. Individuals who wish to study further in the same field can enrol into an M.Pharma course too.

Why Should One Study BAMS and Pharmacy?

While the reasons one should pursue BAMS and Pharmacy courses depend solely on an individual's aspirants and passion, there are several other reasons one must keep in mind. The top reasons why BAMS and B.Pharma are popular courses and should be opted for areas below.

Monetary Advantage

One of the primary reasons to opt for either BAMS or Pharmacy courses is monetary. BAMS graduates can go on to work in fields with job profiles that are highly paid. On the other hand, Pharmacy graduates can work in hospitals as well as start their practices. Job profiles are typically available in Government hospitals, clinics, and more. Salaries for Pharmacists and BAMS graduates are on par with other medical professionals such as doctors. For the Pharmacy industry, having one’s practice can help bring in much profit and provide more flexibility over work schedules. A BAMS doctor can earn an average salary of anywhere between INR 1,00,000 to INR 8,20,000 when starting, whereas pharmacists earn an average salary of INR 2,56,022 LPA after graduation.

Help People Become Healthy

Medical and Pharmacy industries are fields where one is serving people. Treating illnesses & diseases and helping people become healthy is their aim. BAMS graduates can work as Ayurvedic Doctors and Physicians. Daily, they are not only diagnosing and treating patients but also performing surgeries. Pharmacy individuals issue medicines to prevent diseases in society. People who have a deep wish to serve people would do well in these fields. Individuals who enjoy talking with people, relieving stress and anxiety while showing empathy are perfect candidates for BAMS and Pharmacy.

Specialization Options

Going specialisation-wise in BAMS vs B.Pharmacy, there is not much difference in both options. BAMS courses have a variety of specializations to choose from. Each specialization allows students to work with different career graphs and get to enjoy different average salaries. Some popular specializations in BAMS include Rasa Shastra, Agad Tantra, Kaumarabhritya, Shalya Tantra, Padartha Vigyan, etc. The same is for Pharmacy courses. Pharmacy courses have specializations such as Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Administration, Community Pharmacy, and Research Pharmacy. Individuals do not have to be confined to one job or industry where they are not happy. Choosing a specialization that one is excited about would mean the individual is thriving and progressing rapidly.

Prestige

Medical and related jobs are considered highly prestigious fields. Being able to work as doctors & pharmacists and helping treat people is a noble act. BAMS and Pharmacy course graduates are highly regarded for the same reason. The prestige of the university or institute where one chooses to pursue their degree also matters. Opting to complete the degrees from a high-ranked institute like Sri Sai Institute of Ayurvedic Research and Medicine (SIARAM) would help immensely when looking for jobs in the future. The right college will also provide specialization options and extracurricular options. Additionally, students from prestigious institutes also enjoy higher salary packages during the placements drive.

Future Scope

In terms of future scope in B.Pharma vs BAMS, both degrees are different and have several options for career advancement. Individuals with a bachelor's degree in both fields can opt for a master’s degree after graduation. For BAMS degree holders, colleges have MD degrees with different specializations. On the other hand, B.Pharma students can opt for an M.Pharma degree. One common query here is "can I do BAMS after B.Pharmacy", and the answer is yes. Students can enrol in a full-time BAMS degree after a B.Pharma degree. In terms of jobs, BAMS students generally opt to work in clinical practice, management, etc. Graduates can work in hospitals, clinics, colleges, pharma companies, etc. Pharmacy students can work at hospitals and clinics in the in-house pharmacy. Research facilities and drug manufacturers also require Pharmacology students.


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