How to Become a Pharmacist
Pharmacists are highly valued members of the healthcare profession, dispensing not only medication to people, but vital medical information, too. As healthcare professionals on the front line, pharmacists have a large amount of contact with the public. It’s a role, therefore, in which people skills are just as critical as knowledge to succeed.
Pharmacists offer over-the-counter medicine as well as that prescribed by a doctor or NMP and have an important role in ensuring members of the public know what they can and can’t take when on a course of medication. Disseminating accurate pharmacological and medical information is a big responsibility that pharmacists take incredibly seriously.
In this article, we’ll examine the profession in more detail, including what it involves, how to become a pharmacist, and the skills required.
What is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists are responsible for providing medication to members of the public. This can either be OTC medication (such as cold and flu treatments), which can be purchased without needing a prescription, or prescribed medications.
The pharmacist typically receives prescriptions from a doctor and is then responsible for filling the prescription; in other words, preparing the medicine that’s been described and then providing it to the patient in question.
Alongside their robust medicinal knowledge, pharmacists usually have a solid understanding of basic medicine, including conditions and treatments, so that relevant and safe advice can be given. They’ll know, for example, what’s best for cold and flu-type symptoms or a dry throat. However, Pharmacists cannot diagnose as this falls out of their scope of practice.
Other pharmacist roles include running screening programmes, managing medicine stock, and helping run clinical trials, to name just a few.
How Do You Become a Pharmacist?
Study A-Levels
So, how do you actually go about becoming a pharmacist? The first step is to study A-levels, with an A-level in chemistry usually required (as well as one other science) to get onto the appropriate subsequent university degree.
MPharm Degree
To become a pharmacist, you must complete a four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course (accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council – GPhC), with entry grades typically ranging from AAB to BBB.
Pre-Registration Training Year
Upon completing their MPharm degrees, graduates must complete a pre-registration training year. As part of this, the pharmacist-in-training will engage in practical (paid) training under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist.
Assessment
At the end of this pre-registration year, also known as the pharmacist foundation training scheme, the GPhC conducts a registration assessment, which must be passed for people to register successfully with the GPhC.
Application to GPhC Register
Once you have passed the assessment, you can apply to register with the GPhC. Once registered, you’re legally allowed to practise as a pharmacist in the UK. This rigorous route to becoming a pharmacist ensures high standards are upheld, and the training doesn’t stop there.
Ongoing CPD
Pharmacists must keep current through ongoing CPD and training to retain their registration with the GPhC. At least nine CPD entries per year are required to stay on the register.
What Skills are Needed to Become a Pharmacist?
Becoming a successful pharmacist requires various skills, including:
Pharmacological Knowledge (and Some Medical Knowledge)
Pharmacological knowledge is the most essential skill for a pharmacist and the one they will have learned all about during their training.
Pharmacists typically require a comprehensive understanding of drugs and medicines, their mechanisms of action, potential side effects, and more. They also typically require a broad medical understanding.
Compassion and People Skills
Pharmacists are often confronted with people in a lot of pain, whether that be physical or emotional. Knowing how to navigate these situations with compassion and kindness is pivotal. Pharmacists also need to be able to calmly interact with members of the public who may be frustrated or even angry.
In this way, pharmacists must handle the spectrum of human emotion and behaviour and do so in a dignified and professional manner, even when their patience is tested – which, the chances are, it will be from time to time.
Continuous Learning
Part of a pharmacist’s role is continuously learning and developing their skills through CPD. Not only is this a legal requirement, but it also demonstrates a commitment to the profession and a willingness to always improve.
Regulatory Knowledge
A pharmacist must be familiar with healthcare laws, insurance policies, and regulatory guidelines that govern the dispensing of medications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does a Pharmacist Earn?
Pharmacists working in a permanent capacity, rather than locum, can expect to earn anywhere in the region of £35,000 to £70,000, depending on experience. Pharmacists working in the NHS can expect to start on Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale.
Is a Degree in Pharmacy the Same as a Degree in Pharmacology?
No, a pharmacy degree is different from a pharmacology degree. Pharmacology relates to the study and development of drugs and medicines and their impacts on the body, whilst pharmacy refers to dispensing those drugs created by pharmacologists.
Pharmacists require pharmacological knowledge; however, they aren’t involved with the study or development of drugs themselves.
Do You Have to Go to University to Become a Pharmacist?
Yes, you have to study for a university pharmacy degree (MPharm) to become a pharmacist. At the time of writing, consideration is also being given to the introduction of pharmacy degree apprenticeships.
Do Pharmacists Work Full-Time or Locum?
Pharmacists can work either full-time or locum, depending on the employer. Locum pharmacists can expect to earn from around £25 per hour.
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