Tell me about it
Pharmacists are experts in drugs and medicines. They may work as community pharmacists, dispensing medicines to the general public. This work involves ensuring that prescriptions from doctors are valid and that the medicines prescribed are safe for invidual patients, advising people on the management of minor ailments and selling other medicines over the counter

Industrial pharmacists, on the other hand, are involved in the research, preparation and use of medicines, from the formulation of active ingredients to the manufacture and clinical trials of a new drug. Hospital pharmacists visit patients on hospital wards and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate medicines. Their work involves monitoring the response of patients to medication, advising doctors and nurses on the best drugs for patients and keeping a formulary, or list of the hospital's drugs that can be prescribed.

Entry level
To become a pharmacist, you would need a degree in pharmacy approved by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Entry is normally with at least three A levels/four H grades and two GCSEs/three S grades (A-C/1-3) in other subjects, or equivalent qualifications. The GCSEs/S grades should include English and maths, while A levels/H grades should include chemistry and one other science (preferably biology).

Sixteen universities in the UK offer four-year pharmacy degrees, and many also offer postgraduate courses. Hospital pharmacists often study for a postgraduate qualification, and you will find that a postgraduate doctorate can be helpful if you want to get into industrial or lecturing work.

Making the grade
After your pharmacy degree, you must spend a year in practical training in a community or hospital pharmacy before passing a registration examination. Only then will you be a qualified pharmacist.

There are many opportunities to develop your career as a pharmacist, including switching between the different areas of pharmacy, progressing into management or even setting up your own community pharmacy business. Hospital pharmacists progress through the established career structure up to consultant grade and may specialise in areas such as clinical pharmacy.

Continuous Professional Development is mandatory. This would include reviewing your personal professional practice, reading professional journals and publications, and attending courses and training sessions on an ongoing basis.

Personal qualities
You would need a keen interest in science and healthcare, together with excellent communication skills and careful attention to accuracy.

You would also need good business skills for community pharmacy.

Looking ahead
The number of pharmacists has grown steadily over the past few years and there is now a shortage, particularly in hospitals. About 24,000 pharmacists work in community pharmacies, 6,000 in hospitals, and about 2,000 for private companies in the pharmaceutical industry. The NHS is by far the largest employer.

Some pharmacists combine work in different environments, for example teaching at a university while working in a community pharmacy, at a hospital or in industry. There may be some opportunities to work abroad.

Alternative suggestions
Other options for a scientific career in the medical field include biochemist, biomedical scientist, dentist, doctor, pharmacologist or research biologist/chemist

Take-home pay
As a pre-registration pharmacy graduate, you would earn around £14,500, rising to £20,000 to £23,000 when fully qualified. The most senior pharmacists in the NHS earn up to £57,500 a year.

Community pharmacists typically earn around £25,000 to £33,000 a year, rising at senior levels to over £50,000 a year. Industrial pharmacists start at around £22,000 a year, with some senior pharmacists earning £63,000 plus.

Effects
The hours you work would depend partly on your role as a pharmacist. Community pharmacists, for example, usually work 39 hours a week, often including evening and weekend work on a rota basis. Similarly, hospital pharmacists usually work 37 hours a week, and are likely to be on a rota for weekend work and to be on call when not at work. Industrial pharmacists, on the other hand, usually work office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. About one third of all pharmacists work part time.

Sources of information
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: www.abpi-careers.org.uk
NHS Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain: www.rpsgb.org.uk

CRCI: JK