1. How do I become a pharmacist?
Experts in medicines, pharmacists play a key role in improving the health of the nation, and ensuring patient safety. No wonder that pharmacy is one of the fastest growing areas of healthcare!
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their use: they train as scientists and clinicians and have a unique set of skills and knowledge. Using this scientific knowledge they advise patients on how to take medicines and recommend the best medicine for particular conditions and diseases.
The third largest healthcare profession in Great Britain, pharmacists work in many different settings, developing new medicines, supplying medicines, providing advice about medicines, and offering health services.
Some pharmacists are also prescribers, and like doctors can prescribe medicines on prescriptions. They also work within the wider healthcare team, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
Other roles: Pharmacists also work in other roles with less direct contact with patients, for example, in universities, regulation, government organisations, research, publishing and the pharmaceutical industry.
Your skills: Pharmacists need excellent communication skills to translate technical medical information to patients, and because they often work in busy environments must be organised, logical, able to manage multiple tasks and remain calm under pressure. They have a good eye for detail and are thorough and accurate in what they do.
Pharmacists work in teams and are often involved in education and training others, so good people skills are essential, too.