Thousands of PharmD graduates in India often feel lost once they complete their degree. Many enter internships where even nurses mistake PharmD for BPharm. Others face job offers of only fifteen to twenty thousand rupees per month as clinical pharmacists. In such a scenario, it is natural for students to question whether their degree was worth the time and money. Yet success stories exist. One example is Dr Sujitha, an MSL, Gastroenterology, Nephrology and Vaccines at Zydus Lifesciences. She moved from a confused third-year student to cracking a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role, one of the most respected careers for PharmD graduates today. This blog talks about her career-defining journey and the key lessons she shared in the podcast with Dr. Akram Ahmad.
Why Many PharmD Graduates Struggle in India
For many years, the awareness of PharmD in India was low. Hospitals did not understand the role, government institutions did not specify PharmD in job notifications and clinical pharmacists were often underpaid. Many students entered PharmD believing they could work abroad as clinical pharmacists, only to discover that the Indian job ecosystem was still developing.
Even today, government hospitals rarely advertise PharmD-specific posts. Private NABH hospitals are mandated to hire PharmD graduates for clinical pharmacy roles, but salaries are still modest for freshers. This gap between expectation and reality leads many students to assume their degree offers no return on investment.
However, the market has changed significantly in the last decade. Global pharmaceutical companies in India have begun recognising the value of PharmD graduates. Roles in medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, healthcare analytics and MSL are rapidly growing.
How PharmD Students Can Carve a Successful Career Path in Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
During her third year, Dr. Sujitha realised she was not interested in hospital-based jobs because PharmD graduates do not have prescription rights in India. She wanted a role that involved science, research and business. That curiosity led her to explore non-clinical roles such as PV, regulatory affairs, medical writing, CDM and data analytics.
Nothing truly excited her until she learnt about the MSL role through seniors working abroad. She discovered that an MSL acts as a bridge between scientific communication and business strategy. They handle medical education, clinical trial support, research discussions with key opinion leaders and future drug planning.
At that time, senior professionals told her that only MBBS and MD candidates were considered for MSL roles in India. Instead of getting demotivated, she decided to become exceptionally strong in the skills that matter for MSL work.
How to Prepare for an MSL Career: Key Skills Every PharmD Needs
She dedicated three to six months solely to improving pharmacology. She studied the mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and side effects until everything was at her fingertips. She then moved to clinical research, learning how clinical trials are designed, initiated and analysed.
Alongside scientific knowledge, she worked on communication skills. Coming from a small town in West Bengal, her English was not very strong, so she practised consistently until she could communicate scientific concepts clearly.
This combination of scientific depth and communication made her stand out. Eventually, she cracked an MSL position, becoming the first from her college to do so.
What is the Salary of an MSL in India
According to her experience, salaries vary by company:
- Indian mid-level pharma companies: 6 to 8 lakh per annum for freshers.
- Large Indian or multinational companies: 8 to 12 lakh per annum for freshers.
- With two to three years of experience: 15 to 18 lakh per annum.
To conclude with…
PharmD is not a waste. It is a powerful degree when aligned with the right skills and mindset. Instead of focusing on marks or listening to negativity, Dr Sujitha carved her own path by investing in pharmacology, clinical research and communication. Her journey proves that with the correct direction, PharmD graduates in India can build high-earning and impactful careers in roles like MSL, HEOR, competitive intelligence and many emerging fields. If you want to turn your PharmD struggles into a successful career, start preparing early, speak to seniors in the field and build the right skills. The opportunities are already here.