How to become a pharmacist

Pharmacists are heavily regulated in order to protect society from misuse and mis-administration of drugs. The regulatory body for pharmacists is the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The following guide explains what the GPhC requires for a person to work as a pharmacist, as well as what day-to-day life is like in the profession, what salary you could expect and the prospects within the field for progression.

What are the qualifications and entry requirements to become a pharmacist?

Pharmacists are one of the most responsible professions within the community. They must maintain exceptional levels of knowledge and efficiency to ensure that all drugs in their control are administered correctly. They must ensure that patients are issued with safe and proper medicines.

Becoming a pharmacist requires a combination of academic qualifications and practical experience. The steps typically include:

• Obtaining a Master of Pharmacy degree (MPharm) that is approved by the GPhC. This is a four-year course on a full-time basis.
• Completing a one-year pre-registration training programme within a pharmacy setting.
• Passing the GPhC registration exam.

For those without a relevant degree for direct entry into an MPharm course, a two-year foundation degree may act as an access course. It is also possible to start as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician and later apply for an MPharm course, potentially receiving credit for previous experience.

Most universities require A-levels in related subjects like chemistry and biology. Some universities offer a five-year integrated course that doesn’t require A-levels for entry.

Essential skills for becoming a pharmacist in the UK

To excel in the demanding and multifaceted role of a qualified pharmacist, certain key skills are indispensable. These skills ensure the safe and effective dispensing of medications and contribute to the community’s well-being. From a solid scientific understanding to meticulous attention to detail, these competencies equip pharmacists to deliver high-quality healthcare and advice. Below is a comprehensive list of essential skills every aspiring pharmacist should aim to master:

• Exceptional skills in science and maths
• Extremely high standards of accuracy
• Attention to detail and the ability to check prescriptions issued by others.
• Great customer service skills
• An approachable, calm and assertive manner.
• The ability to explain complex medicines, side effects, doses and potential side effects to patients.
• Clear communication skills, both verbal and written
• The ability to create and maintain legible records that all medical professionals can understand.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks throughout your day.
• Excellent time management skills.
• If you are running a pharmacy, you will also need business and administrative skills.

What will day to day work look like for a pharmacist?

As a pharmacist, you may be working in a variety of environments, and this will determine how your day-to-day work life will look. You could work in one of the following settings as you embark on a career in pharmacy:

Community Pharmacy

Working as a community pharmacist, you could work in a high street chemist, in a supermarket pharmacy or you might be attached to a GP surgery. Your day-to-day activities could include:

• Dispensing prescriptions to patients who present their requests to you from their GPs.
• Offering advice to patients and customers about different medicines and how to take them.
• Giving advice about illness prevention and supporting supplements.
• Ordering stock and maintaining stock levels efficiently.
• Running various screening programmes for patients, such as blood pressure checks and diabetes and cholesterol reviews.
• Training staff.
• Having private consultations with patients who don’t necessarily need to see a doctor for a prescription that you can issue.
• Visiting off-site areas such as care homes to bring required medicines and offer healthcare advice.

Hospital Pharmacy

If you work as a hospital pharmacist, you will spend most of your day responding to prescriptions that have been issued within the hospital. Your day-to-day activities might include:

• Offering patients advice on general health, specific medicines and illness prevention.
• Quality testing stock.
• Ordering new stock.
• Issuing prescriptions to patients and giving advice about dosage and potential side effects.
• Liaising with medical professionals throughout the hospital.
• Performing ward visits to talk to patients about their medicines.
• Training new pharmacists and supervising support staff.

Education

If you work as a pharmacist in the educational sector, you will spend the bulk of your time researching new medicines and performing quality checks and clinical trials. Your job will be practical but will require significant amounts of recording and report writing.

How much is the average salary for a pharmacist?

The amount you earn as a pharmacist will depend on your employer, experience level and where you work. However, pharmacists can expect a starting salary of at least £32,000 as a guideline.

With experience, a registered pharmacist can expect their salary to rise to over £40,000. More highly experienced pharmacists and those holding more senior positions can earn up to £80,000.

Career progression for a registered pharmacist in the UK

There is a formal career progression plan for pharmacists who work in the NHS. This means that, with experience, a pharmacist can work towards becoming a pharmacy consultant or a team manager.

Pharmacists who work for large pharmacy chains often enjoy promising prospects for promotion. In these settings, working towards being a regional or national manager is possible.

Some pharmacists use their experience and good reputation to go independent and set up their own community pharmacy.

Further information on possible career progression paths is available from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

How many hours will I work as a pharmacist?

A pharmacist will typically work around 38 hours each week, although this can vary. They will often be required to work evenings and weekends. Some pharmacists may even work ‘on call’ depending on their location and the type of pharmacy they work in. Community pharmacists tend to work longer hours, and retail settings often see pharmacists working over 48 hours each week.