The role of the pharmacy in the daily lives of many people throughout the UK is as important as any other consumer institution. After all, the increase in ailments owing to age, lack of exercise, and general poor health means, for many, a regular trip to see the pharmacist. The old pharmacy, where the friendly pharmacist works with you to meet your health needs, has given way to a more bureaucratic system that is effective in dealing with a wide range of customers but lacks the human touch. However, for pharmacists and those graduating with pharmaceutical degrees, this bureaucratisation of the pharmacy means a better jobs market.

Hospitals and doctors’ offices are beginning to hire more pharmacists for their in-house pharmacies. These pharmacies, which feature both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, are designed to provide immediate point-of-prescription convenience for patients, especially those who have mobility problems. Pharmacists in these types of offices have the luxury of working directly with billing professionals and health workers alike to remedy health issues quickly. However, in other ways the in-house pharmacy may prove restrictive, as administrators and senior partners are often within walking distance.

There is, however, still room for the traditional pharmacist in the current bureaucratic system. Older style pharmacies are utilising information technology in order to improve the services they provide; patients with repeat prescriptions are often able to have these monitored by pharmacies who will collect them for the patient from the general practitioner and ensure their availability. In many high street outlets, major chains and independent pharmacists are investing heavily in order to compete. Facilities are often brand new, which means the best resources and working conditions for pharmacists. Also, members of the public can build a strong relationship with their pharmacist as they get regular prescriptions. The problem with working at these facilities is that there is sometimes little immediate resolution of administrative or prescription problems, which need to be resolved by phone or post.

The pharmacy jobs market in the United Kingdom and Europe is growing strongly, although its public face is becoming much different from what it was a generation ago. Pharmacists need to remain versatile in the workplace by maintaining accreditation, taking continuing educational courses, and staying well-versed in regulations and medical knowledge alike; after all, to many of the public, the pharmacist is often more accessible than the doctor, and acts as a resource for medical knowledge in the marketplace. As such, pharmacists have a public duty to stay updated and informed on the changing nature of their world. This challenge and the challenge of optimising one’s potential in a dynamic job market, means that a pharmacist needs to stay on his or her toes throughout their professional life.

What are pharmacy jobs? Where are these jobs available? How do you qualify for these jobs? This article seeks to answer these questions. In the USA, there are more pharmacy jobs than qualified pharmacists. It is thus a good career option.

Pharmacy Jobs

Medicines can be prepared and dispensed only by qualified pharmacists. In olden times, they used to mix drug products from measured raw materials according to doctor’s prescriptions. These days, they dispense pre-measured tablets and capsules produced by pharmaceutical companies. They also advise patients on the use of prescription and over the counter medicines.

In addition to technical knowledge about the required purity and dosages of many medicinal products, pharmacists also require the human touch and ethical sense to deal with customers in a trust-building manner.

Pharmacists find jobs in numerous settings, such as retail pharmacy outlets, hospitals & clinics, healthcare facilities, drug research and development, pharmaceutical sales and marketing, government agencies and universities.

Pharmacists work as pharmacy managers, clinical pharmacists, IV pharmacists, retail pharmacists and in other roles.

Who Employ Pharmacists?

Some of the major employers of pharmacists are listed below.

Retail (and Internet) pharmacies need pharmacists and pharmacy managers.

Pharmaceutical companies need pharmacists for drug research & development, and for sales and marketing.

Hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities need pharmacists to oversee the formulation, storage and dispensing of medicines at their facilities.

Government agencies and home care facilities also need the services of pharmacists.

Armed services need pharmacists in their medical services sections.

Community and consultant pharmacies are other agencies that need pharmacists.



The demand for pharmacists exceeds supply in the USA.

How Do You Qualify as a Pharmacist?

Pharmacy is the science that deals with collection, preparation and standardization of drugs.

As a preliminary for your course in pharmacy, you need to attend college level classes in such subjects as chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics, for about two years. You might also have to pass a Pharmacy Colleges Admissions Test.

You then have to complete a 6-year (or 5 year) Pharm D. (or B.S.) curriculum prescribed by an accredited college of pharmacy. Internship under a qualified pharmacist and passing a state examination are other typical requirements before you become a licensed pharmacist.

Continuing education is a typical requirement to renew the license.

The skills in pharmacy practice include not only dispensing prescriptions but also communicating with patients and healthcare professionals. (You need to acquire the skill to read doctors’ handwritings!) They also include understanding the responsibilities of professional ethics.

Other important skills include the management of a pharmacy practice, and consulting with other healthcare professionals.

Availability of Pharmacy Jobs

As you would have begun to appreciate by now, pharmacists are trained professionals providing an essential service in healthcare. They are in high demand by many agencies and this situation is likely to continue.

In fact, all the pharmacy jobs are not being filled now for want for qualified pharmacists. A career in pharmacy is thus a promising career.

The new year will be ushering in a new president and his cabinet, and what seems to be new agenda for health care. The US Department of Labor has predicted that there will be a greater need in employment of pharmacists during the next five to seven years. This demand is predicated by the aging baby boomer population, their need for healthcare, and their increase in prescription medication.

With this increased need and what is a hopeful restructuring of our current healthcare predicament, there will be a necessity for more employees trained in pharmaceuticals and disease management. Along with the aging population comes the notion that jobs will also be opening due to retirement vacancies. Not only is the local drug store looking for qualified individuals, but long term care facilities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and state regulatory commissions.

As recent as November 2008, it has been noted that up to 8% of pharmacist jobs are vacant. Many companies are offering incentives and signing bonuses to attract new employees. Flex time has become negotiable as another enticement. Even with a struggling economy and some patients forgoing treatments to save money, the forecast is positive as the long term demand will continue. According to the American Association of College of Pharmacy, enrollments are up as new schools have opened with the increased demand. Many medical schools are placing graduates in their own teaching hospitals or finding them placement in the immediate area.

We found specialty sites like Pharmacy Postings to be easy to use. The site works with accredited employers to connect them with pharmacists, students and technicians. Jobs are posted nationwide, and the site features a “quick apply” system to connect potential employees resumes directly to the employer.

The website also features tools to help job seekers write their resumes, as well as tips on interviewing, as well as potential interview questions and answers. It offers a customized job search so that seekers can narrow their results by type of job or region. Employers can post their jobs with confidence knowing that the site will work with them to create the best listing for them.

The website also features a section with links to pharmacy schools, associations, and state boards in order to provide complete information to those interested in the field. Programs are at least two years undergraduate work, followed by four years of professional study resulting in a PharmD degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary is close to $100,000 for a full time position. The position is not without its risks, as the pharmacist must know the chemistry of drugs, how they interact with other drugs, as well as correct dosages and patient advice.