The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7477 p531
10 November 2007

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• Retention fees
• Concessionary fees
• Pack sizes (5)
• Prescribing
• Controlled drugs
• Hospital infections
• Wholesalers
• Locum pharmacy
• BPC

Letters to the Editor

Locum pharmacy

What is a fair rate of pay?

From Mr D. I. Sevage, MRPharmS

Harnek Singh Chera’s comments regarding “being held to ransom” by locum pharmacists is unreasonable (PJ, 20 October 2007, p438) since many multiples have successfully managed keep locum pharmacist rates artificially low.

Speaking as former pharmacy owner, now working as a part-time locum, I would suggest that if he can find a reliable and efficient locum for £23 per hour he is lucky. How feasible is it to find a reliable electrician, plumber or other such tradesmen for such a rate, let alone a professional?

I cannot speak for his locums but I always consider myself the guardian of the business while employed as a locum. The goodwill value of the proprietor’s business can easily be eroded and customers lost rather than gained.

I would always hope to add value to the business. It might be interesting to ask pharmacist locums what they think a fair rate is for the responsibility they take on: £27 to £30 maybe?

David Ian Sevage
Mold, Clwyd

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