The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7152 p815-820
June 16, 2001

  RPM
  In-store pharmacies
  Pharmacy medicines
  Patient packs
  The Profession
  Future of pharmacy
  Coronary heart disease
  Influenza
  Checking technicians
  Dianette
  Paracetamol
  Monitored dosage systems
  Disillusioned youth
  Code of Ethics
  SGM
  Disposal of medicines
  Separate register
  Onlooker
  The Journal

Disillusioned youth

Try the industry

From Mr J. Turner, MRPharmS

I feel sorry for Ben Hewitt (PJ, May 26, p719) who finds “nil job satisfaction” in a “soul-destroying and mindless” job.

The Industrial Pharmacists Group of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has for years been trying to persuade more pharmacists to make their careers in industry. Having done this myself years ago I have had an interesting, challenging and varied career, latterly in a regulatory body but still working with the industry. At one time or another, sometimes quite unexpectedly, I have needed to call upon virtually all the knowledge I gained as a pharmacy student. (Needless to say, the call is not always fully answered, but I know where to look.) Equally important, the pharmacist’s unique range of knowledge is invaluable in all manner of positions in industry and thus benefit the patient. (What chemist knows about trichomes, what microbiologist about packaging, and what engineer about the Medicines Act or mitochondria?)

So, if Mr Hewitt is not happy where he is, he should consider if he would find more satisfaction in applying his training in a different, even if less popular, area of pharmacy practice. He might still be enjoying it in 40 years’ time.

John Turner
Hartley Wintney, Hampshire

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