Pharmacist

Introduction

Pharmacists are experts on drugs and medicines. They work in hospitals and shops. They prepare medicines according to prescriptions, and give advice on the use and effect of different drugs. They manage the ordering, testing, storage and security of medicines and they may have to supervise other staff.

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Work Activities

Pharmacy is an applied science concerned with the chemistry and action of drugs, and their preparation and production for use in medicine.

Central to pharmacy work is the science of 'formulation'. In this process a drug is combined with other substances in a suitable preparation, such as an ointment, tablet, injection or liquid, for use as a medicine. The formulation and dispensing of medicines both require detailed understanding of the action of drugs and medicines on the body.

Hospital pharmacists work directly with doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to ensure both in-patients and out-patients receive the most appropriate medicines used in the most effective way.

They supervise pharmacy technicians who make up the medicines to meet a doctor's prescription. They are also responsible for ordering, quality testing, storing and securing drugs and medicines.

Retail pharmacists supply prescribed and over-the-counter medicines to the general public. They give advice to customers on taking medicines and their possible side effects. Most medicines are supplied already made up by the manufacturer, but if a particular type, strength or quantity of medicine has to be made, the pharmacist will undertake or supervise its preparation.

As pharmacies also stock other goods, such as perfumes, cosmetics, baby care products and photographic materials, the pharmacist is also very much a business manager. This includes supervising and training staff, and marketing goods.

Pharmacists increasingly use computers for stock control, producing labels and many other functions.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

In both hospitals and shops, pharmacists have direct contact with patients, customers and health care professionals. Therefore, you will need good communication skills. You will also need the confidence to talk about a wide range of general health matters.

When liaising with doctors and other health care professionals, you will need to use tact and discretion.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for pharmacists vary depending on the branch of pharmacy and the organisation they work for.

National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities.

On the NHS Agenda for Change scale, entry level pharmacists are on Band 5. From April 2006 this has been £19,166 - £24,803 a year. After registration pharmacists are on Band 6, £22,886 - £31,004. Pharmacist specialists are on Band 8a which is £35,232 - £42,278.

At the highest levels, NHS pharmacist managers and consultants can earn up to £88,397 a year, depending on responsibilities.

In the private sector, pay rates vary depending on the organisation and role and responsibilities, but are broadly in line with NHS rates.

Pharmacists usually work a 37-hour week, which may include shift-work and weekends on a rota basis.

Some community pharmacists own and run their own pharmacy.

Those in employment may work for: NHS and private hospitals, major pharmaceutical companies and producers of agricultural and veterinary products, and pharmacy departments of retail chain stores and supermarkets.

Pharmacists also work in areas like education, journalism, prisons and the Civil Service.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen approved degree in pharmacy, a college or university Access course, eg, Access to Science, could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

You can apply for funding from relevant medical charities and trusts. Some employers/NHS Trusts provide sponsorship.

• 20% of pharmacists are self-employed.
• 23% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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