Pharmacists are a key member of the multi-professional healthcare team and use their expertise about medicines to help people manage a variety of conditions and live longer, healthier lives.
Some Pharmacists work directly with patients to ensure they are on the best medicine(s) for particular conditions and diseases, advising them about their medicines and answering their questions. They’ll work as part of the team in the hospital or general practice and advise the other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medicines use.
Some Pharmacists work in areas with less direct patient contact but are integral to high quality, effective and safe patient care. This includes, but not limited to, preparation and supply of medicines in dispensary and aseptic services, clinical trials, medicines information, medicines management, public health, and quality assurance.
Day in the life of a pharmacist
How to become a pharmacist
You’ll need Highers / Advanced Highers or A levels (A-B grade) in specific subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Maths and English to get into an accredited university to study a four year Masters of Pharmacy degree. Each university may have slightly different entry requirements so please check their website.
After graduation from university, to be able to register as a Pharmacist with the regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council, you’ll also need to complete a 52-week foundation training placement and pass the registration assessment. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) offers a fully funded-foundation training programme in Scotland; please see their website for information about how to apply.
Learning and development
There are learning and development opportunities across the various stages of the pharmacist career pathway that cover clinical and professional practice, leadership, education, and research.
The NES post-registration foundation programme for newly qualified pharmacists in Scotland provides supported structured training in your first couple of years. You’ll have an educational supervisor and do your independent prescribing qualification in the second part of the programme.
For further information, please see the Royal Pharmaceutical Society website.
