In a time when pharmacy education is rapidly expanding beyond traditional roles, MedBound Times brings forward the journey of Yash Kiran Kamble, a final-year PharmD student at Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi, Pune. From his early fascination with medicine to discovering a passion for medical writing, Yash has built a path that bridges clinical practice with healthcare communication.
Beyond academics, Yash has actively engaged in leadership and outreach, serving as the Sports Secretary at the Indian Pharmaceutical Association Students’ Forum (IPASF), Pune, and coordinating large-scale health checkup initiatives. His clinical experience at Wada Rural Hospital, where he managed an outpatient department serving over 200 patients daily, provided him with valuable insights into patient care in resource-limited settings.
In this conversation with Sanghavi N. Deshpande of MedBound Times, Yash reflects on his multi-dimensional journey as a PharmD student—balancing academics, leadership, and writing. He discusses his evolution from clinical rotations to becoming an aspiring medical and scientific writer, the growing opportunities for PharmD graduates in non-clinical fields, and the importance of curiosity, networking, and adaptability in shaping a successful career in modern healthcare.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Please introduce yourself and share how you got into PharmD, and what inspired you to choose PharmD as your career path?
Yash Kiran Kamble: Hello, I am Yash Kiran Kamble, a sixth-year PharmD intern at Dr. D Y Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi.
Initially, I was planning for a B. Pharm degree after my 12th, and then in that admission process, I discovered the Pharm D course. What drew me into it was that it combined my interest in biology and my passion for pharmacy. The added “doctor” prefix was also a motivating factor.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Your LinkedIn says, you are the sports secretary at IPASF Pune. Can you tell us how you balance your academic responsibilities along with your extracurricular commitments?
Yash Kiran Kamble: Okay, that's a good question. I'll start with that.
Serving as a sports secretary at IPASF involves more than just sports-related activities. I'm also responsible for a lot of things, and I'm a part of various committees. I share the duties and responsibilities with a co-head, so the work gets divided between us.
Juggling this post with my internships and my parallel career in medical writing, along with managing different events, can be stressful. However, effective time management is the key. I adhere to a clear, daily plan that outlines how I will allocate my time to meet all my responsibilities, which proves very helpful. It's an internal, mental plan, not something I write down. It’s knowing, “Okay, this is what I need to do right now.”
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: In your opinion, what essential skills should PharmD students prioritize developing throughout the six-year program? Which abilities do you consider most crucial?
Yash Kiran Kamble: Curiosity is the most important quality, even though it's not a technical skill. I believe that a genuine desire to learn new things, especially beyond textbooks and the immediate environment, is what truly benefits you during the Pharm D course. The program offers extensive knowledge beyond the core subject matter, covering clinical and non-clinical aspects of healthcare, research, and much more.
Another essential quality is the ability to make executive decisions.
Time management is a crucial skill for every student. The PharmD course involves balancing practicals, lectures, co-curricular activities, and personal and social life, which can become overwhelming. Effective time management significantly reduces stress. Planning your day and organizing tasks in advance is extremely helpful.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What are the opportunities that exist today for students who would like to enter into medical writing or any similar non-clinical roles?
Yash Kiran Kamble: So when I started medical writing a year and a half back, I was very lost.
I began by taking courses on Udemy, which offers excellent resources for medical writing. Immediately after, I started writing. This is crucial because theory alone, whether from certifications or internships, is insufficient. Practical application in the field is necessary to gain real experience and truly understand the work.
So I planned to start writing, so I began writing on WordPress and Blogger; that gave me a portfolio to showcase my work. Then I moved on to writing sample articles. I secured an internship with MedBound Times, which I completed over a six-month period. Then I did freelance work on Upwork.
I am currently interning at Klarity, where I focus on medical writing. This internship requires me to write one article per week on a specified topic.
So these are the opportunities in medical writing, and this is how I got into it. Other than medical writing, there are also non-clinical roles like clinical research and pharmacovigilance documentation; many CROs and clinical organizations hire remote medical writers as well. These are opportunities for PharmD students.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Have any professional events, such as conferences or workshops, significantly influenced or helped shape your career path?
Yash Kiran Kamble: A workshop on medical writing, which I attended as a consociate at IPASF Pune some time ago, was instrumental in clarifying my confusion. By the time I reached my third and fourth years, I was completely lost regarding what medical writing entailed. This workshop offered valuable insights, confirming that I could pursue this path with my current degree.
I have participated in numerous events at my college, and I have volunteered for IPASF-hosted events, including the Clinical Pharmacy Summit, Career Fair, E-Symposium, and discussions at KLE's PharmD Colloquium.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What major challenges or setbacks have you faced, both in the initial stages and currently, throughout your PharmD journey?
Yash Kiran Kamble: The primary challenge for many other PharmD students is clearly explaining what the PharmD (Doctorate in Pharmacy) course entails, as it is often confused with the D-Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy).
Additionally, a significant lack of awareness or "exposure" exists regarding the PharmD profession. Even within hospital settings, we frequently have to explain our role. There is a need for greater recognition from the government, perhaps by outlining the PharmD career path, roles, and the positive changes we can bring to enhance the hospital environment for patients and improve the overall healthcare system.
These were the key hurdles I personally encountered during my initial hospital rounds in my second year.
Academically, I haven't faced any issues; my college has been extremely supportive of both my academic and professional development.
Introducing clinical pharmacists, particularly in government hospitals, is essential. Once hospital administration is aware of this role, they can significantly improve patient care. Private hospitals, mandated by NABH, already employ clinical pharmacists. However, the most profound impact on the Indian healthcare system will occur when government hospitals begin hiring them, driving real change.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Considering all these factors—academic demands, managing stress, and dealing with setbacks—how do you approach and coordinate everything, especially as you look toward your future?
Yash Kiran Kamble: Honestly, the most effective way for me to de-stress is by meeting my friends. A quick half-hour session with my buddies, or even just a call to rant, really helps me unwind. It brings me back to a neutral state, ready to tackle the day and the grind all over again.
That's the main thing. Music helps, too.
I also work out. Maintaining a social life and personal life is essential, but I'd say working out is particularly helpful.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What are the challenges you've observed that students commonly experience, but which often go unaddressed or unspoken?
Yash Kiran Kamble: The need for a better education system is often overlooked, particularly within the Pharm D program. A significant issue is that, in many colleges, instructors are unfamiliar with the specific syllabus and teaching requirements for Pharm D students. Our curriculum is distinctly different from that of MBBS and B Pharm programs, necessitating innovative teaching methods and a relevant syllabus. The six-year degree begins with challenging and often alien subjects like anatomy, organic, and inorganic chemistry in the first year. This steep learning curve makes the first year exceptionally difficult for students, who are also often unaware of the relevant legal frameworks. Therefore, improvements to the education system are critically important and need greater attention.
A degree of support and freedom from faculty and the college is vital for student development. Specifically, granting students the liberty to explore different areas is crucial. First and second-year students, in particular, demonstrate great curiosity to learn but often lack the necessary freedom to pursue these interests. Increased autonomy would significantly aid their exploration and learning.
Stay tuned for Part-2 for more on Medical Writing, Research & Skill Building!