Superdrug has announced a pay increase for newly qualified pharmacists, in a move that will see wages rise to £50,000 - ensuring that Superdrug Pharmacists
continue to receive the strongest renumeration package on the high street today.
Superdrug is also enhancing its patient experience and operational structure, with the introduction of a new role of Pharmacy Team Leader to selected pharmacy stores.
Pharmacy Team Leaders will be dispenser trained and provide a clear line of accountability for day-to-day dispensary activity including adhering to legal and
clinical frameworks whilst supporting, coaching, and developing a high-performing pharmacy team.
The role also allows Superdrug to offer a clear line of progression for talented Pharmacy Dispensers and Technicians who want to do more in their career and recognises
the valuable contribution Pharmacy Dispensers & Technicians play in community pharmacy.
In addition, the appointment of two new Heads of Pharmacy Operations sees the high street retailer driving and improving Superdrug's pharmacy performance to offer the
best possible care for patients. Craig Watt, Pharmacist and previously Area Manager, has been appointed to Head of Pharmacy Operations North and will be responsible
for the operation of Superdrug's central distribution hub serving its e-pharmacy and Online Dr team.
Sustainability also brings financial benefits to businesses. This has been proven by Prabjaudt Singh Channa, Director of Priory Pharmacy.
Prabjaudt is a proud winner of the Sustainable Pharmacy of the Year 2023, awarded by Pharmacy Business in association with Teva UK. Prabjaudt thanked the award
organisers for acknowledging the importance of sustainability within the sector and for recognising his modest endeavours to reduce environmental impact and
safeguard future generations.
"I just felt really happy and proud of this recognition because originally when I set myself down on this path, I didn't really think anyone would be that bothered
about the small changes that we were trying to make and the impact," says Prabjaudt.
In addition to his family's background in the field, his passion for chemistry also drove him to pursue a career in pharmacy. He finds being a pharmacy contractor
enjoyable because it allows him to be flexible, pursue various interests and shape his professional path.
Alitam has announced that it has merged with clinical skills training provider MHRx to upskill UK pharmacists so that its chain of community pharmacies in the
UK can diagnose and treat minor medical ailments "quickly and safely".
This is a second merger deal announced by the group that has 100-plus pharmacies, just days after its merger with Pharmadoctor to "radically transform the UK and
Ireland's community pharmacy sector" into a truly preventative healthcare system.
Following the merger with MHRx, Alitam will now be providing a career development platform for its pharmacy teams, which also include nurses and other healthcare
professionals.
MHRx's training incorporates every aspect of general practice alongside relevant topics including making appropriate patient consultation records in line with NHS
guidelines.
This, Alitam believes, will allow community pharmacies to carry out formal diagnoses, formulate differential diagnosis plans, and perform full clinical examinations.
According to the founder and CEO Feisal Nahaboo, mergers such as these will lead to "a healthcare revolution predicated on building the world's first truly
preventative healthcare model".
Boots has welcomed job applications from LloydsPharmacy staff impacted by the news of closure of all its branches located in Sainsbury's before the end of 2023.
The company is recruiting for more than 1,500 pharmacy roles nationwide. Vacancies span pharmacy roles at all levels - from Pharmacy Advisors (Dispensers) and
Trainee Pharmacists to experienced Pharmacists looking to develop their careers.
Sebastian James, Managing Director of Boots UK & ROI, said: "Pharmacies deliver vital healthcare in the heart of communities. News of the closure of LloydsPharmacy
branches within Sainsbury's stores will no doubt have an impact on many talented pharmacists as well as their patients.
"We have many roles available at Boots and welcome applications from LloydsPharmacy employees affected by the closures. Patients who are worried about their future
pharmacy provision can check our store locator online to find out where their nearest Boots store is - our pharmacy team members are ready to help."
There are over 2,200 Boots stores across the UK and 85% of the population live within 10 minutes of a Boots store.
The modern-day alchemist is a pharmacist, unbeknownst to many. This career path has long been associated with science and chemistry, but the role of
pharmacists today is much more than just preparing potions or drugs. If you have an interest in the science of medicine, and a desire to help people better manage
their health, becoming a pharmacist could be the perfect career choice for you. In this article, we'll discuss what it takes to become a pharmacist, as well as the
rewards that come along with the job.
1. ASSESS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Since a career as a pharmacist requires post-secondary education, the first step in becoming a qualified pharmacist is to assess the educational requirements. This
includes researching what courses are necessary, at what level of education they must be taken, and which universities offer these courses. And, as pharmacists must
be licensed before they can legally practice, prospective professionals should also research the regulations associated with becoming a pharmacist.
2. CHOOSE A PHARMACY SCHOOL
When deciding which pharmacy school to attend, it is important to consider the school's curriculum, accreditation, and reputation. Researching schools that have
strong faculty and offer internships is also an important consideration. Also, have in mind that whether you want to know how to become a pharmacy tech in California
for instance, or anywhere else for that matter, you can find useful information on the internet. As a rule of thumb, as an aspiring pharmacist, you should aim to
attend an accredited school that offers specialized courses in pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, and other related areas.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has appointed James Davies as Director of England.
Davies will be joining RPS in January 2023 to drive professional leadership for the pharmacy profession in England, working with and for RPS members.
He'll lead on national policy development, professional advocacy and member engagement across England, in partnership with the English Pharmacy Board.
Davies said: "It's a privilege to take up this position within the RPS, the professional home of pharmacy. I have been a member of the RPS throughout my pharmacy
career, and that has helped me to continually drive excellence in pharmacy practice. I'm excited about delivering the current RPS strategy to ensure that pharmacy
is, and continues to be, at the forefront of healthcare. I'm eager to work as part of the team and with the Board, leading and developing opportunities for the
profession that improve the lives of patients and the public.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has urged its member - employed pharmacists and locum pharmacists to share their view on UK Commission on Pharmacy
Professional Leadership report.
The four government Chief Pharmacists have published their commission's proposal for how pharmacy leadership may develop in the UK.
The association 'strongly' believes that just as it was the members of the profession that established their previous pharmacist professional leadership bodies, so
it is for pharmacists to determine if they agree with these proposals and to decide what arrangements they want in future.
"As an organisation that has exclusively in its membership the employed and locum pharmacists in the UK, the PDA wants to ensure that it can reflect the views of
frontline pharmacists in any future discussions and decisions that could impact upon their careers.
Pharmacists are encouraged to read the report, to consider its content and then ensure they respond to the forthcoming communication from the PDA."
The commission report says that existing leadership bodies have "relatively low levels of membership" but does not provide details. It has also stated that it has
received submissions to its consultation from many pharmacy organisations.
Jonathan Burton will receive the 2022 RPS Charter Award for his outstanding work for the Society and the wider profession in promoting the interests of pharmacy.
The award will be presented by the President at a future meeting of Fellows and Members to take place at the Society's Edinburgh office on 22nd March 2023.
Jonathan's main role is as a practising, patient-facing pharmacist within the community in NHS Forth Valley where he uses his advanced practice skills and independent
prescribing qualification to assess and treat acute ENT, dermatology, and respiratory conditions.
He was one of the first community pharmacist prescribers in Scotland and has always been at the forefront of innovation and service development.
Jonathan has demonstrated outstanding commitment and passion for the pharmacy profession throughout his career. He has excelled as a pharmacist in the Right Medicine
Pharmacy group, on local and national committees, in advocacy for the pharmacy profession and as a local and national leader who is highly regarded as an exceptional
role model for the profession.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Pharmacist Support hosted a roundtable on the impact of pharmacy workforce wellbeing on patient safety on Wednesday
(17 May).
It also released its annual Workforce Wellbeing Survey which showed continued pressures on pharmacy teams.
The discussion explored the actions needed to support staff so they can continue providing safe and effective patient care and included representatives from the NHS,
professional bodies, employers, trade unions, education and regulators.
A report of the roundtable will be published in the summer.
Amandeep Doll, RPS Head of Professional Belonging, said: "We know that pharmacy teams go above and beyond for their patients, but are also under enormous pressure.
"Now more than ever, we need to strive to make the pharmacy profession more inclusive and ensure that everyone's wellbeing is supported.
"It is vital that we do all we can to encourage people into pharmacy and to support them so they can enhance their skills, develop their careers, and continue to
deliver high-quality patient care.
"This discussion was a welcome step and showed that making a difference for staff wellbeing requires a concerted effort from stakeholders across the whole of pharmacy.
Former superintendent pharmacist and National Pharmacy Association (NPA) director, Phil Galt, has been appointed the new UK managing director for pharmacy
software supplier Cegedim Rx.
The position was previously held by Adam Dennett, who resigned after a successful ten-year tenure to pursue a new career outside healthcare, the company said.
Cegedim Rx, the pharmacy entity of Cegedim Healthcare Solutions UK, announced the new appointment this month (April 5).
Tristan de Foucher, head of European operations for Cegedim Group, said: "Adam has been a force of nature in this business for the past 10 years. Under his
leadership, the team has continuously and successfully invested in and driven product innovation to stay ahead of the ever-changing demands placed upon community
pharmacy."
Galt has over 20 years of experience as a qualified pharmacist and a successful business leader. He has worked extensively in community pharmacy, focusing on
both care delivery and technology implementation.
The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has raised concern that pharmacies may face challenges in providing placements to pharmacy students graduating in
2025 due to shortages of designated prescribing practitioners (DPPs).
From the academic year 2025/26, all pharmacy students will be required to complete 90 hours of training with designated prescribing practitioners prior to their
registration.
However, the CCA has raised doubts regarding the availability of these healthcare professionals to provide such training.
The association said: "We are concerned that pharmacies will be unable to secure DPPs. This will result in a significant reduction in the number of Foundation
Pharmacist placements available within the community pharmacy sector.
Consequently, a significant number of graduates leaving university next year will, unfortunately, struggle to find employment in their chosen career."
As per the CCA, they have repeatedly raised their concerns with NHS England and cautioned them about the potential consequences arising from the lack of DPPs.
Those of us who work in community pharmacy know there is a workforce crisis created in large measure by PCNs actively recruiting pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians from our sector. It is welcome, if long overdue, that this has now been officially acknowledged in a report commissioned by the English Health Secretary.
PCN hiring 'exacerbates pharmacist shortage' says DH-commissioned report, which states such recruitment has "on occasion exacerbated the problem of a general
shortage of pharmacists" which has compounded "the problem of community pharmacy closures."
We have been telling the government this for years only to be told "problem? What problem?"- but now that Steve Barclay has his own official report sitting on his
desk, he and NHSE cannot continue in denial mode. The facts are there for all to see. Time to act. No more dithering, delay or indifference. You asked if there was
a problem and you have been told there is.
In the absence of a holistic workforce strategy and cross-sector career pathways, PCNs poaching from community pharmacy is a zero sum game adding nothing to
improving patient care.
Global consumer healthcare company Haleon has launched a new centre of excellence for a global leader in consumer health which will bring together world leading
academics in human behaviour and frontline healthcare professionals including community pharmacists.
Unveiled at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress in 'sunny' Seville, Spain on September 20, the Centre will operate as a community of healthcare
professionals and specialists in behavioural science, health psychology and the social sciences to solve some of the most pressing everyday health challenges.
Named the Centre for Human Sciences (CHS) the initiative will be the first major programme for healthcare professionals since the Haleon's launch on July 18 as an
independent, global leader in consumer health.
The Centre's mission is to support practising health professionals - pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and dental professionals - in serving their patients and
communities. Combining science with deep human understanding, CHS will bring expertise in physiology together with human sciences to deliver real world-solutions
and tangible interventions, resulting in measurable improvements in health outcomes through sustained behavioural change.
The Centre is facilitated by Robert Horne, professor of Behavioural Medicine at UCL School of Pharmacy, who started his career as a practising pharmacist but later
chose to become a behavioural scientist when he saw an opportunity to address issues around psycho-social factors that acted as a hindrance in pharmacy practice.
Speaking to me in an exclusive three-way conversation alongside Tess Player, the global head of healthcare professional & health influencer marketing at Haleon, on
the sidelines of the FIP Congress 2022, Prof Horne expanded on what the Centre was all about and how it would work.
"We've got some good ideas, but it's not a pre-filled prescription that we're going to deliver at scale from the start. What Haleon is t
Alitam Group, the 100-plus pharmacy store consolidation, has appointed Bharti Patel, the former group executive director of Avicenna to its executive board.
Patel, who was part of the leadership team at Avicenna until late 2021, brings with her a wealth of experience covering pharmaceuticals, multiple retail and independent pharmacy, homecare and NHS primary and secondary care.
In her early career, she worked at Lloyds Pharmacy, where she rose from a prescription medicines buyer to director of procurement over a period of eight years.
She is known in the industry for her strong leadership, commercial acumen and ability to create opportunities for innovation and strategic partnerships.
Alitam founder and CEO Feisal Nahaboo said in a statement that Patel's appointment will further strengthen the group's ability to deliver its transformative multi-billion-pound 'Pharmacy of the Future' concept.
Three leading pharmacists - professor Mahendra Patel, Asif Aziz and Ade Williams - have been recognised in Queen Elizabeth's annual New Year's honours list.
Professor Patel, an academic pharmacist from West Yorkshire, was awarded an OBE for his "services to pharmacy." He told Pharmacy Business: "I am truly honoured and deeply humbled by this highly prestigious award that I have always believed was more deserving for others.
"That's not to say I'm not proud of it - far from it, although for me it's not necessarily about rewards and recognition but more the intricacies of the journey I embark on and the learning and joy that those encounters bring with it.
Most recently, Professor Patel - who has had a broad ranging portfolio career spanning community pharmacy, health education and health promotion, academia, and research - has been involved in promoting clinical trials across community pharmacies in the UK.
His latest work has seen him act as one of the national leads for the PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC trials, run by Oxford University - both trials seek to pioneer repurposed and new drug treatments in the community to prevent hospitalisation due to Covid-19.
In a bid to amplify the role of pharmacists in clinical services and vaccination programs, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has embarked on a
groundbreaking collaboration with Aston University.
This initiative, funded by Innovate UK Business Connect, aims to explore the feasibility and impact of integrating additional healthcare interventions within
community pharmacies.
"The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) research project represents an exciting opportunity to advance the role of pharmacists in patient care," remarked
Alison Jones, Director of Policy at PDA.
"This project will be an important part of that evolution, supporting individual pharmacists to have more opportunities to practice and so develop more fulfilling
careers."
Led by the PDA and Aston University, the project will commence imminently, focusing on the Priory Community Pharmacy in Dudley.
Are you looking to start a career in the medical field but don't know where to begin? There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to entering
the medical profession. It can be daunting trying to figure out which one is right for you. But with some research, planning, and dedication, you can find your way
into this rewarding and fulfilling industry. Here are 8 tips that will help get you started on your journey toward becoming a successful healthcare professional.
1. ONLINE PROGRAMS
If you have already decided on a career path and need to obtain additional qualifications or knowledge, there are many online programs available for medical
professionals. These courses provide students with the opportunity to learn from home and gain experience in their chosen field without sacrificing the quality of
education. You can find an online medical assistant programs, medical biller and coding programs, lab technician training, and more. It's important to research each
program and make sure it's accredited before enrolling. While online programs may not offer the same hands-on experience as a traditional school, they can be an
affordable and convenient way to get your foot in the door.
2. VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING IN A CLINICAL SETTING
Volunteering or working part-time in a clinical setting is an excellent way to gain experience and decide if the medicine is the right profession for you. Even
volunteer work can provide invaluable insight into how the medical field works, allowing you to network with professionals, observe procedures and treatment methods,
and develop skills from patient interaction. Additionally, any volunteer work or job experience related to healthcare that appears on your resume establishes you as
a serious candidate for a career in medicine. While you are likely to find many volunteer opportunities, be sure to do your research and only take positions in
reputable organizations.
Ahead of the launch of UK's first state-of-the-art automated hub for independent community pharmacists, HubRx has announced the appointment of Karl Wooldridge
as operations director and Matthew Tollefson as chief financial officer.
Karl brings more than 14 years of sector experience to his new role with HubRx. Having begun his career as an independent community pharmacist, Karl has gone on
to hold key roles within pharmacy automation, including managing Phoenix Medical Supplies' offsite dispensing service.
Commenting on his appointment, Karl said: "I'm delighted to have joined the team. The pandemic has further highlighted the important role pharmacists can play in
keeping the nation healthy, not least in the delivery of the latest vaccination programme. The focus is now on pharmacists offering more clinical services, but
to be able to achieve that the dispensing burden needs to be reduced.
"HubRx is pioneering, our approach will transform community pharmacy. We're investing in cutting-edge technology to create an automated dispensing hub that will
create capacity for pharmacists, allow them to grow and expand their skills."
Matthew joins from Leeds-based corporate finance firm, Sentio Partners having also held positions with Mazars and Ernst & Young.
In a mutual agreement with the STADA board, Roger Scarlett-Smith has stepped down from his role as head of UK.
The company has assigned the responsibility of UK operation to Rudolf Bär with current responsibilities as cluster head for Mid-Sized European Markets.
Scarlett-Smith joined STADA in October 2018 to lead the UK operation upon the retirement of Dieno George. Prior to this, he had enjoyed an illustrious career in
the Consumer Healthcare sector, largely with GlaxoSmithKline, for which he held positions including as President North America, President EMEA and Head of Global
Categories.
Under his leadership, the STADA UK business has grown sales by 50 per cent and profitability has more than doubled. He has reshaped the business to improve efficiency.
There has been a marked acceleration of product innovation including key line extensions to the Zoflora disinfectant range as well as the introduction of a
salmeterol and fluticasone inhaler in the Rx respiratory sector. Meanwhile, T+R has developed a fine reputation regionally, being voted number 1 regional company
last year and winning many national industry awards.
Thorrun Govind's journey in pharmacy is deeply influenced by her South Asian heritage, with a Punjabi mother and a Gujarati father shaping her professional path.
She reflects on this influence: "I think my heritage has influenced my journey to become a pharmacist because there are a number of well-known and recognized
figures in pharmacy who come from a South Asian background."
"I think there's a tradition of hard work in my heritage. Additionally, many businesspeople in the community have also been a key influence. This entrepreneurial
aspect has influenced my desire to pursue a career in pharmacy. It was always something I saw as part of my identity."
Currently, Thorrun practices as both a pharmacist and a healthcare lawyer. She provides legal support to fellow pharmacists, including assistance with fitness to
practice proceedings and business transactions.
In June 2024, Thorrun joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team, further expanding her role in the sector.
Her journey, however, has not been without its challenges.