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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) in collaboration with Health Education England's Centre for Advancing Practice and the Centre for Pharmacy Post Graduate Education (CPPE) will provide a pharmacy-specific professional development pathway for advanced pharmacist practice. Successful completion of the pathway, assured through the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum assessment, will result in pharmacists being recognised by RPS as an advanced pharmacist, along with the awarding of HEE's Centre for Advancing Practice's 'Advanced' digital badge, demonstrating the quality assurance of their advanced practice preparation to patients, families, carers, and other healthcare professionals. The first participants in a fully funded, supported e-portfolio pathway to recognise advanced pharmacist practice in England will get underway in March 2023 This new programme is an important step in creating a clear postgraduate career structure for pharmacists in England. The innovative approach provides funding from HEE's Centre for Advancing Practice in 2023-24 for 300 pharmacists in England who are near to, or already practicing at, an advanced level, to enable them to receive supervision and support in building their RPS Core Advanced e-Portfolio from CPPE's pharmacy education supervisors.

The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) has launched a national campaign advocating for pharmacists working in the NHS to have a minimum of 10% of their contracted hours protected for supporting professional activities (SPA). In a statement published on 7 February 2025, the GHP emphasised that this protected time "should be recognized by employers and embedded in job plans." The organisation highlighted the existing inconsistency across the UK regarding the amount of SPA time allocated to pharmacists and stressed the need for a consistent amount of development to "allow pharmacists to be able to be safe practitioners, to meet the demands of service development, and to be able to safely mentor and supervise more junior colleagues." The GHP raised concerns that many pharmacists end up doing "unpaid work" to catch up with the required training or completing self-learning in their own time. "This pressure is unfair and unsustainable, potentially contributing to burnout and in combination with all the other pressures, leads to pharmacists leaving the NHS," it stated. The GHP asserted that a minimum of 10% of contracted hours for SPA is "a strongly justifiable argument."

Despite being the most common genetic disorder in the UK, sickle cell disease (SCD) remains significantly underfunded and underserved compared to other genetic disorders, according to a new report published by the PDA BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Pharmacists' Network. The report also reveals that the disease is poorly understood within the healthcare system, including amongst pharmacists, pharmacy students, and foundation pharmacists in the UK. It emphasises the urgent need for increased awareness, funding, and improved healthcare access for SCD amongst these healthcare professionals. "A lack of education about SCD within the wider healthcare community, including pharmacy, greatly contributes to disparities in care. "Though the importance of SCD education for pharmacists and allied healthcare professionals is acknowledged, it remains unclear whether this topic is adequately addressed within the MPharm curriculum," the report said. The report further noted that in the absence of explicit guidance from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and without more comprehensive education surrounding SCD embedded within the pharmacy curriculum, pharmacists and future pharmacists may remain "ill-prepared to manage patients with this complex condition." As per the report, sickle cell disease is the most prevalent genetic disorder globally, impacting millions, including around 17,000 people in England.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published its new 'Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum' to enable professional development towards advanced pharmacist practice. This follows an intensive programme of work undertaken in collaboration with a wide range of UK stakeholders, the society said today (June 27) in a statement. The Curriculum will equip pharmacists with advanced leadership, education, and research capabilities which are essential to support, lead and advance the profession through transformative change so it continues to meet evolving patient and service requirements. The RPS Core Advanced Curriculum provides the blueprint to develop such individuals by articulating a UK entry-level standard to advanced pharmacist practice, relevant to all patient-focussed pharmacist roles and aligned to multi-professional definitions of advanced practice. This curriculum completes the core RPS post-registration curricula, creating a seamless post-registration professional development continuum modelled around five common domains- Person-centred care and collaboration; Professional practice; Leadership and management; Education; and Research.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association's anti-racist pharmacy toolkit was launched at the 2022 Clinical Pharmacy Congress. The event also included a demonstration of how members could use the toolkit to work together to address inequality and discrimination in their workplace. Elsy Gomez Campos, president of the PDA BAME Pharmacists' Network, gave an overview of issues raised by network members as well as broader professional issues including over-representation of BAME pharmacists in fitness to practice complaints, under-representation of BAME pharmacists in leadership roles, limited access to post-graduate education, and bullying and discrimination in the workplace. She concluded her opening statement by reminding members of what an exemplary pharmacy profession should look like which is about "being treated fairly and being offered the same opportunities to those that do not look like us." Manuella Asso, organising assistant and PDA BAME Pharmacists' Network coordinator, explained that the toolkit for was representatives, members, and other pharmacists to assess their workplaces and to help them take collective action to create an anti-racist workplace culture and environment.

Recent NHS data sheds light on the evolving landscape of fit note certification, indicating a gradual expansion of roles beyond traditional medical practitioners to pharmacists and nurses. This uptake in numbers coincides with the Department of Work and Pensions's (DWP) call for evidence in relation to fit note reform which will remain open till 8 July 2024. According to figures published by NHS Digital, during the nine-month period from April 2023 to December 2023, pharmacists certified a significant number of fit notes. Approximately 1.4 per cent of fit notes of the 8 million were issued by pharmacists while the rest were issued by the GP surgeries reflecting the impact following legislative amendments in July 2022, which extended certification authority to pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. In June 2022, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) advised pharmacists not to sign fit notes where the required therapeutic, diagnostic, or examination skills lie outside their scope of competence. The association remarked that healthcare professionals needed mandatory training under the Health Education England before they are fit to issue fitness notes to the public.

Maxine McCabe has made history as the first community pharmacist in the UK to be credentialed as a core advanced pharmacist by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in Scotland. Announcing McCabe's achieving, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) stated that this credential demonstrates her expertise across the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical, leadership and management, educating others and research. Maxine has worked in the community pharmacy sector since qualifying as a pharmacist in 2008, consistently showing a keen interest in developing the wider pharmacy team and enhancing clinical services for the local patient population. Throughout her career, she has managed various community pharmacies, including Boots and Parkhead Health Centre Pharmacy, where she played a crucial role in developing pharmacy practice and nurturing pharmacy support roles and trainee pharmacists. In 2023, Maxine took on a part-time role as a Senior Educator in the Prescribing & Clinical Skills teams at NHS Education for Scotland (NES). She continues to practice as a pharmacist, leading the Teach and Treat Training Hub at Burnside Pharmacy in Lanarkshire. McCabe expressed her excitement about the recognition, saying, "I am delighted to obtain my Advanced Practice credential and showcase that this is achievable in community pharmacy."

Health Education England (HEE) has developed funded training offers for community pharmacists, including locums aiming to become independent prescribers. Almost 3000 independent prescribing training places will be available to pharmacists from March 2023. This training enables pharmacists to support patients from diagnosis to prescribing, and to provide advice and follow-up - while also helping them to feel confident and prepared for the new challenges of their role. Courses will be available between April 2023 and March 2024, with several universities offering multiple dates for cohort intakes. Start dates will depend on the university provider. Training will enable the provision of new models of care: supporting patients from diagnosis to prescribing, providing advice and follow-up, and preparing pharmacists to provide clinical care, as pharmacy services become more widespread within emerging clinical pathways.

In response to stakeholder feedback, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is developing a streamlined, single route to registration that will replace the current multiple-pathway system for overseas pharmacists wishing to practice in Great Britain. This revised approach will include updated standards for the education and training of internationally qualified pharmacists, with all applicants still required to pass a registration assessment. The GPhC's Council intends to streamline the registration pathway, reducing the two-year process to one-year process. This new pathway will encompass both university study and in-practice training. Historically, pharmacists qualified within the European Economic Area (EEA) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have been eligible for qualification recognition in Great Britain. While this recognition has been extended until September 2028, the future requirement for EEA-qualified pharmacists to undergo the new registration route remains contingent on forthcoming government decisions. Initially, the GPhC had explored the development of three distinct registration routes for internationally-qualified pharmacists, "however decided to change this proposed approach after considering feedback from stakeholders."

Hey there, folks! Ever find yourself caught up in the throes of pain, wondering if there's a better way to handle it? You're not alone. In fact, according to recent stats, a whopping 93% of people worldwide grapple with pain annually. And get this: 1 in 3 folks deal with it every single day. Crazy, right? But here's the kicker: despite pain being such a prevalent issue, many folks aren't tackling it head-on. Yep, you heard that right. There's a whole lot of suffering going on, and not enough proactive pain management happening. So, what's the solution? Well, that's where our Pain Management Webinar swoops in to save the day! Picture this: an hour jam-packed with enlightening insights, carefully curated to arm you and your team with the tools needed to understand, manage, and ease pain in your patients' lives. Diving Deep: What's Inside the Webinar Alright, buckle up because we're about to dive into the juicy details of what this webinar has in store for you. 1. The Evolving Role of Pharmacists First up, we're shedding light on the evolving role of pharmacists in the realm of pain management. Yep, you heard that right. It's not just about doling out pills anymore. Pharmacists are becoming key players in the fight against pain, and we'll show you exactly how. 2. Decoding Pain Assessment Ever struggle to figure out just how much pain your patients are in? We feel you. That's why we're dedicating some time to decode the art of pain assessment. By the time you're done with this segment, you'll be a pro at understanding and quantifying your patients' pain levels. 3. #ListenToPain: A Campaign for Better Conversations And last but certainly not least, we're shining a spotlight on Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign. This bad boy is all about fostering better conversations between you and your patients. Trust us, folks, communication is key when it comes to pain management, and this campaign's got all the tools you need to nail those conversations. Tailored Jus

A new NHS-funded training course on clinical examination skills has been announced by Health Education England (HEE) for 10,000 community pharmacists. The training will be provided by CliniSkills and be coordinated by HEE with the Pharmacy Integration Programme at NHS England. With pre-registration now open to all community pharmacists, the programme will be available from 17th April 2023 and will until March 2024. It will be delivered online, with optional face-to-face attendance for pharmacists who would find this beneficial. Pharmacists will be required to complete a module on history taking and identification of serious conditions and can then choose from four optional modules, which cover the following themes: dermatology; cardiology; paediatrics; and ear, nose and throat. The training is designed to be complementary to the independent prescribing training and can be completed prior to or after an independent prescribing training course. It is open to all community pharmacists including those that work part time and locums.

Six pharmacists based in Scotland were acknowledged by the profession this week during a celebratory event held at the home of Scottish pharmacy, the RPS building on Melville Street, Edinburgh. Four pharmacists have been officially conferred with Fellowships of RPS for their significant contributions to the practice of pharmacy. The recipients are: Richard Lowrie Lynn Morrison Deborah Steven Audrey Thompson Two pharmacists, Katherine Davidson and Emily Kennedy, have attained accreditation as consultant pharmacists. This designation is granted in recognition of their demonstrated expertise at a senior level, spanning clinical practice, leadership, research, and education, RPS said in a statement.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has introduced a new comprehensive learning programme to support pharmacists in Wales to deliver the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS). Developed in collaboration with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the programme is designed to "equip pharmacists with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to provide excellent patient care." While the primary emphasis is on pharmacists operating within primary care settings, those from various practice settings are also encouraged to register and participate in the programme. Commenting on the collaboration with HEIW, Elen Jones, director for Wales at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that it will empower pharmacists across the country to deliver high-quality prescribing services to local communities.

NHS England has announced a phased implementation for mandatory multi-sector rotations in the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme, delaying the full rollout to the 2027/28 training year. Under the General Pharmaceutical Council's Standards for Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists (2021), multi-sector rotations - where trainees spend at least 13 weeks in a different pharmacy setting- were initially planned for all trainees starting in 2026/27. These rotations are designed to enhance pharmacists' adaptability, multi-professional collaboration, and ability to deliver person-centred care across healthcare systems. Acknowledging significant progress from pharmacy employers in developing these programmes, NHS England cited current workforce pressures as a key reason for introducing a phased approach. "We are mindful of the current pressures faced by pharmacy teams and the broader healthcare sector and greatly appreciate your continued commitment to delivering high-quality training. To support pharmacy teams in continuing to deliver high quality training, mandatory rotations will be delayed, and a phased approach will be implemented," David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England and Samantha Illingworth, director of education quality and reform at NHS England, wrote in a letter to training programme providers.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has raised concern over the Health Education England (HEE)'s decision on cutting funding to independent prescribing training. The HEE has reportedly decided that no funding will be available to back-fill trainees undertaking the pharmacist independent prescribing (PIP) qualification, or for the supervision of trainees by DPPs and DMPs. The PDA noted that, whilst all successful trainee pharmacists will be entering the GPhC register as independent prescribers from 2026, the existing pharmacist workforce is reliant on opportunities to undertake prescriber training through release from their employment, and the ability to secure a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) or Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) to support the 90 days of supervised practice required. The association said it has already heard examples of potential DMPs or DPPs requesting a significant fee from trainees before they will provide supervision, adding that meeting that request is not an option for many. "This latest decision threatens to undermine the availability of the large numbers of pharmacists seeing supervisors as more IP training becomes available," it said in a statement.

Community pharmacy workforce is in a fragile condition and faced a shortfall of 3,000 pharmacists in England over a period of five years, a recent research conducted by the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has revealed. It noted that over the last five years, the net growth of community pharmacists in England a year stood at 733. This is much lower than the required average growth of 1,025, based on data reported by the Health Education England workforce survey from 2021. Acknowledging the discrepancies in the data calculation, the paper published by the association has used "the best available data" to highlight recent changes to the community pharmacy workforce in England. The report noted that despite an increase in the number of pharmacists, many contractors reported an increase in pharmacist vacancies. They also reported a significant increase in locum hourly pay rates, indicating demand exceeds supply.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has submitted a 17-page contribution to the commission on the future of pharmacy professional leadership and encourages pharmacists to engage in the overall discussion. The association wants to ensure that the voice of its members is heard in the discussions about the future of professional leadership, which has been initiated by the four government Chief Pharmaceutical Officers. The PDA has published its first formal contribution to the commission, in its response it raised concern on the current exercise is being rushed and a call for the review to be conducted in a more sensible timeframe, one which enables the engagement of the whole profession. It has urged on being supportive of the creation of a Royal College of Pharmacists to take custodianship of the training and education for pharmacists and to set the requisite standards, whilst still relying upon the profession's regulators to undertake the accreditation role.

Health Education England (HEE) has announced launch of a new funded Independent Prescriber courses for pharmacists to be made available before March 2022. Places are available for both Independent Prescribing (IP) and Clinically Enhanced Independent Prescribing (CEPIP), and eligible pharmacists are encouraged to apply to the course providers directly. These courses will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and a further round of funded Independent Prescriber training will be made available from Autumn 2022. The independent prescriber guide offers practical guidance and support on the prescriber role, such as how to become an independent prescriber, applying for an IP course, or expanding the scope of practice.

The government has unveiled its much awaited 'NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan' to tackle the staff shortage in the pharmacy sector. The plan set out an ambition to increase the training places for pharmacists to around 5,000 places by 2031/32. David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, in his open letter to pharmacy professionals said: "The NHS LTWP sets out how we can build on changes, addressing the changing needs of patients over the next 15 years, by closing the current workforce shortfall through funding for increased education and training places and a comprehensive retention strategy." The plan commits to expand training places for pharmacists by 29% to around 4,300 by 2028/29 and Grow the number of pharmacy technicians in future years. "The development of independent prescribing as part of initial education and training is a gamechanger for pharmacists, patients and the NHS, with approximately 2,800 newly registered pharmacist independent prescribers due to join the workforce every year from September 2026," said Webb. "This will be transformational for all pharmacy teams, creating improved access and quality of care for patients and, importantly, a more flexible workforce with skills that are equally applicable in all pharmacy settings, enabling multi-professional clinical teams to work in new ways."