The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7311 p186
7 August 2004

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· Shipman inquiry
· Amlodipine
· The profession
· The Charter
· The Journal

Letters to the Editor

The profession

Top tip: be a plumber

From Mr J. J. Durand, MRPharmS

I have to agree with Christopher Chapman (PJ, 31 July, p151). It is heartening to read such a perceptive letter from a pharmacy student. Pharmacy is overloaded with bureaucracy and paperwork more than ever. It is getting harder and harder to do a good job for a decent salary. Mr Chapman believes he may have to look elsewhere to earn a living. He is probably right if he wants to earn a salary commensurate with his responsibilities and not have to work long and inconvenient hours. It would be a shame to waste all the knowledge he has gleaned and I urge him to finish his degree. It may come in useful one day.

Many pharmacists are aggrieved by their pay, conditions and professional status, but bury their heads in the sand. But I think the worm is about to turn. If you can earn more by repairing washing machines, plumbing or painting and decorating, why be a pharmacist? All other closely related professions earn at least twice our salaries, on average, many much more. Just look at dentists. They must be pleased with themselves. What is it going to take for pharmacists to realise how bad a hand they have been dealt?

Consider the near future. In real terms, being a qualified pharmacist is going to cost over £1,000 a year before you earn a penny. By this I mean the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s fees, indemnity fees and the time taken up by continuing professional development. Please note all other medical professions connected to the NHS are paid well for undertaking CPD; how about us?

There is a lot of food for thought at the moment and I am sure many pharmacists are at the end of their tether and are looking about for alternative ways of making a living. Many will leave, never to return. If you wish to make an average living, struggle to pay the mortgage, never own a brand new car and be looked down upon by other professions, be a pharmacist. On the other hand, the world is your oyster. You are bright and intelligent, make the most of your practical and cerebral skills — become a plumber!

Jonathan J. Durand
Fareham, Hampshire

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