Pharmacist

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• progress to team manager, regional or national manager or become a pharmacy consultant
• work in a GP practice, health centre or set up your own community pharmacy business
• work as a pharmacist in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy or Army
• move into teaching, scientific journalism or publishing
• do a postgraduate qualification in a subject like toxicology or pharmacology and move into research

You can find more information about developing your career in pharmacy from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Chemistry - Pharmacists need a deep understanding of chemistry to know how medicines work, how different drugs interact with each other, and how chemical compounds behave in the body. They use this knowledge every day when checking prescriptions, advising on dosages, and ensuring medications are safe to use together.
• Biology - Pharmacists need to understand how the human body works – including how organs function, how diseases develop, and how the body absorbs and processes medicines. This knowledge is essential when advising patients and doctors on the right treatments and potential side effects.
• Mathematics - Pharmacists calculate drug dosages, concentrations, and dilutions on a daily basis, often adjusting for factors like a patient's weight or kidney function. Accuracy with numbers is critical because even small errors in dosage calculations could be dangerous.

Also relevant

• Physics - Pharmacists benefit from understanding physical principles like how drugs dissolve, how particles behave in solutions, and how different delivery methods (such as inhalers or patches) work. These concepts help when advising patients on how to use medical devices and medications effectively.
• English Language - Pharmacists spend a lot of time explaining complex medical information to patients in clear, everyday language. They also need to read and interpret prescriptions, write accurate labels, and communicate precisely with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
• Business - Pharmacists often manage stock, supervise staff, and oversee the day-to-day running of a pharmacy. Those who set up their own community pharmacy need to understand finances, marketing, and how to run a successful business.
• Psychology - Pharmacists regularly support patients who may be anxious, confused, or dealing with difficult health conditions. Understanding human behaviour and how people respond to illness helps them communicate sensitively and encourage patients to follow their treatment plans.