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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.

Becoming a pharmacist is a rewarding and fulfilling career path. Still, many aspiring pharmacists graduate with substantial student loan debt, which can be daunting to manage while starting their careers. However, various pharmacist loan forgiveness programs can ease this financial burden and pave the way to debt-free living. This article will explore six pharmacist loan forgiveness programs that can help pharmacists achieve financial freedom. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) According to Bankrate, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is a federal program designed to forgive the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Pharmacists who work for non-profit organizations, government agencies, or public health organizations may be eligible for this program. Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Loan Repayment Program The Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Loan Repayment Program encourages healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to work in areas with a shortage of healthcare providers. Pharmacists who commit to working in designated HPSAs for a specified period can receive loan repayment assistance.

Choosing to participate in the medical field is a wonderful opportunity. But perhaps you'd rather branch off a little bit from the norm and pick a slightly different career. If that's what you're hoping to achieve, then becoming a pharmacist may just be the right choice for you. Here's what you need to know before becoming a pharmacist and how you can easily pay for your degree. WHAT DOES A PHARMACIST DO? Honestly, it's surprising to think how many people underestimate the pharmacy profession. Some genuinely think that they're just people who give you medicine over the counter. And while this is certainly one of their duties, a pharmacist is so much more than that. Believe it or not, pharmacists are trained medical professionals.

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

Simon Harris bought an average-sized store from a national chain and turned it into a profitable business in just over a year - a great example of how to start up a pharmacy and become successful. His formula was quite simple - recognise the available opportunities, take some calculated risks and reap the rewards. Simon went into pharmacy because he felt it was a profession that would allow him to "help people" and have a direct impact on their lives. "I also thought it was a profession which would allow me to have my own business one day." Since qualifying as a pharmacist from Bath University in the late 90s, Simon did his pre-reg at a large Boots store in Broadmead, where we had some "great experience" as a pharmacist manager. He decided to take a year out and went around the world with his "now wife" and ended up working as a pharmacist for a pharmacy group Down Under which had a contract with the sports industry, i.e. Australian Open and the Australian Football League. "It was quite an experience because at the time I knew nothing about Aussie football but I ended up being their pharmacist after a short conversion course."

Just over 60 per cent candidates have passed the first four-country common registration assessment for pharmacists, held jointly by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Out of a total of 959 candidates who sat the assessment in four countries on 16 November, 584 candidates have passed - recording an overall pass rate of 60.9 per cent. The registration assessment is one of the ways trainee pharmacists can demonstrate that they understand how to apply knowledge appropriately and in a timely way, to make professional judgements in pharmacy practice. Passing the registration assessment is a vital element of being eligible to apply to become a registered pharmacist. In the November assessment, 43 per cent candidates sat for the first time, 45 per cent for the second time and 12 per cent for the third time.

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.

If you're thinking of heading a startup, owning a local pharmacy could be an incredibly lucrative opportunity. When you set up a business in the healthcare sector, it's important to ensure that you operate with transparency to keep yourself and your patients safe. Whether you've acquired pharmacies before or you're turning to a new venture with different partners, learning the relevant steps before getting involved is imperative. Successful pharmacies rely on medical expertise, professional knowledge, and an excellent quality of service. Step 1: Do you need qualifications to be a pharmacist? No matter if you already have a background in pharmacy or you're entering the field from an entrepreneurial perspective, you'll need to have the right qualifications. You can become a pharmacist by completing a Master of Pharmacy degree at a university. Your chosen course needs to be approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council and will take at least four years to complete. After your degree, you'll also need to take the one-year pharmacist foundation training scheme. To access these courses, you'll usually need two or three A levels, including Chemistry. Alternatively, you could do a pharmacy foundation degree if you only have one A level or equivalent.

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

WAGMI or 'we are all gonna make it' is an established abbreviation in the crypto world, and pharmacists can learn from it. To all the dreamers, the visionaries, the go-getters, the futurists - we need you all. In the past few months, since the rebranding of Facebook into Meta, the word 'Metaverse' has become exponentially popular and there is a huge opportunity for pharmacists to get involved. In his popular podcast, Aragorn Meulendijks, the chief marketing officer at Your Open Metaverse - YOM, gave a crystal-clear vision on the unique and valuable possibility of a metaverse pharmacy or metapharmacy. Imagine it is 2030, and there are over a billion users of Virtual Reality headsets. You have recently been hired as the new metaverse pharmacist (metapharmacist) at the global metaverse pharmacy (metapharmacy) "YOMRx". Your patient comes to your metapharmacy with their digital twin (different to digital avatar)where you are able to provide them with medical advice (metaconsultation).

Boots UK to offer a free health MOT for over 40s in England between 1st April until 30th June to help eligible patients identify and take the right steps to address high blood pressure and the potential for increased risk of other health conditions. The Free Health MOT will give over 40s the information needed for them to take actions to support their overall health. It consists of a 15-minute appointment with a Boots pharmacist, during which they will receive- the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service, with GP referral if needed; optional BMI (Body Mass Index) and waist circumference measurement; lifestyle guidance on exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental wellbeing and stopping smoking; and personalised advice and recommendations . At the end of their appointment, patients will receive a booklet containing information about how to lead a healthy lifestyle and a section with the results of their MOT recorded. Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: "The Free Health MOT at Boots is intended to help people gain greater insight into their health and take the steps they need to improve it. As we get older, we become more vulnerable to conditions like high blood pressure, so it's important that we take steps to help stay healthy. The checks done during the MOT and the advice provided not only helps individual patients lead healthier lives but also reduces pressure on the NHS by offering accessible care in pharmacies at the heart of communities." The availability of appointments for a Free Health MOT at Boots comes at a time when new research indicates people want to lead healthier lives.

There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way healthcare professionals work within the primary care setting. The advent of Covid-19 meant that we all had to rapidly modify the way we supported and met the needs of patients, some of whom saw the services they usually took for granted, virtually cease overnight. There are around 15 million people in England living with long-term health conditions including asthma. These people have the greatest healthcare needs of the whole population with 50 per cent of all GP appointments and 70 per cent of all bed days taken by this cohort of patients, and their treatment and care absorbing 70 per cent of acute and primary care budgets in England. This situation isn't going to improve any time soon. In the past, most people had a single condition, today multi-morbidity is becoming the norm. At the start of the pandemic, the Royal College of General Practice and British Medical Association issued guidance to practices on prioritising workload. This included the importance of maintaining long-term condition reviews in asthma, COPD and diabetes, along with appropriate transition of at-risk warfarin patients. These reviews were deemed as essential workstreams for patients considered to be at high risk. Traditionally, the unique skills set of a pharmacist has meant that we have played a major role in supporting these patients. I work with a team of over 90 clinical pharmacists who, in partnership with individual practices, PCNs, CCGs and STPs, help with the long-term management of people with chronic conditions. But the onset of Covid-19 meant that we now had to plug a potential gap in service provision, and quickly.

Proper drug storage is essential to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and those around you. This is especially important if you are taking multiple medications and need to keep track of them all. Knowing how to store drugs correctly can help prevent misuse or accidental ingestion by children or pets. Here are six important guidelines about proper drug storage that everyone should follow: 1. KEEP ALL MEDICATIONS IN THEIR ORIGINAL, LABELED CONTAINERS: Using alternative storage containers can make it difficult to identify medications or keep track of expiration dates. Keeping medications in their original containers also prevents accidental misuse and helps ensure that the correct dosage is taken. In addition, it's important to store all medications out of reach of children and pets. Also, keep medications in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For example, a medicine cabinet in the bathroom or kitchen is a good option. 2. DISPOSE OF EXPIRED MEDICATIONS: Expired medications can be less effective and even potentially harmful if taken, so it's important to regularly check expiration dates and get rid of any outdated medications. The best way to dispose of old drugs is to take them to a drug collection site. If no such sites are available, mix the medication with something like coffee grounds, put it in an opaque container, and then throw it away in your trash bin. Never flush expired medication down the toilet unless instructed by your pharmacist or healthcare provider! 3. STORE DRUGS IN A COOL, DRY PLACE: Extreme temperatures can cause medications to break down and become ineffective. To avoid this, keep all drugs away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture. A medicine cabinet or drawer in the bathroom is an ideal spot for storing most drugs, but some require special storage conditions (more on that below). Different medications should also be separated from one another to avoid confusion and stored differently. For example, if a

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has secured a contract with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to deliver a suite of e-learning modules to help pharmacy professionals "become more research active". The new online resources - due to be launched next summer - are aimed at pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who may not have followed an academic career path or have had little or no experience of research delivery. The e-learning package will allow them to gain new skills so they feel more confident to engage with research and research opportunities. Nine modules are being developed covering how to transform ideas into a research project, find and evaluate evidence and choose the appropriate research methods whilst learning how to apply for research funding and deal with governance issues and publication.

It's no secret that as pharmacists we are navigating a new and more demanding healthcare landscape. Our role has changed significantly since the start of the 21st century due to increased expectations from the public, advances in science and technology and changing workforce pressures. The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for England has placed a higher focus on clinical service. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in significant acceleration in changing how we work day-to-day and the public perception of our role. Community pharmacy owners and staff have been under relentless pressure for the last two years. Dispensing volumes are continually increasing but dispensing revenues are being replaced by launching new services. We must find solutions to reduce the time it takes to dispense medication so we can focus on these new revenue generating services. To not just succeed, but to thrive, it is becoming increasingly important to understand and embrace the technology available.

A bout 15 to 30 per cent of the UK population suffers from hay fever and there has been a definite increase in the number of moderate to severe hay fever sufferers, with sufferers experiencing more frequent and longer seasons. And now that the government has announced its plans for the easing of lockdown, community pharmacists can expect to see many more of their patients presenting with more severe symptoms than usual, as there will be more opportunities to spend time outside and be exposed to higher levels of pollen. Symptoms Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny stuffed up nose, itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion and a general stuffed up feeling in the nose and throat. Some experience itching around the face and mouth, with an itchy palette, and burning sensation in the throat. Headaches and wheezing can also occur, as well as an overall achy feeling, or build-up of pressure in the facial area. The sinus area can become painful and constant nose blowing can leave sufferers with skin irritation. This can lead to tiredness and affect sleep, which in turn reduces energy.

Being aware of and understanding our mental health is extremely important. Mental health is not simply a medical condition, it essentially encompasses our psychological and emotional well-being. Mental health awareness has increased in recent years, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of our mental stability and how we process our feelings has become all too apparent. It is important that we all learn to be open with our feelings and also be able to support others who may be struggling with their own mental health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) conceptualises mental health as a "state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

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.