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Pharmacist
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Pharmacists are experts in drugs and medicines. They may work as community pharmacists, dispensing medicines to the general public. This work involves ensuring that prescriptions from doctors are valid and that the medicines prescribed are safe for invidual patients, advising people on the management of minor ailments and selling other medicines over the counter.

Industrial pharmacists, on the other hand, are involved in the research, preparation and use of medicines, from the formulation of active ingredients to the manufacture and clinical trials of a new drug. Hospital pharmacists visit patients on hospital wards and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate medicines. Their work involves monitoring the response of patients to medication, advising doctors and nurses on the best drugs for patients and keeping a formulary, or list of the hospital's drugs that can be prescribed.

Entry level

To become a pharmacist, you would need a degree in pharmacy approved by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Entry is normally with at least three A levels/four H grades and two GCSEs/three S grades (A-C/1-3) in other subjects, or equivalent qualifications. The GCSEs/S grades should include English and maths, while A levels/H grades should include chemistry and one other science (preferably biology).

Sixteen universities in the UK offer four-year pharmacy degrees, and many also offer postgraduate courses. Hospital pharmacists often study for a postgraduate qualification, and you will find that a postgraduate doctorate can be helpful if you want to get into industrial or lecturing work.

Making the grade

After your pharmacy degree, you must spend a year in practical training in a community or hospital pharmacy before passing a registration examination. Only then will you be a qualified pharmacist.

There are many opportunities to develop your career as a pharmacist, including switching between the different areas of pharmacy, progressing into management or even setting up your own community pharmacy business. Hospital pharmacists progress through the established career structure up to consultant grade and may specialise in areas such as clinical pharmacy.

Continuous Professional Development is mandatory. This would include reviewing your personal professional practice, reading professional journals and publications, and attending courses and training sessions on an ongoing basis.

Personal qualities

You would need a keen interest in science and healthcare, together with excellent communication skills and careful attention to accuracy.

You would also need good business skills for community pharmacy.