What Pharmacy positions are available?
There are 3 different types of Pharmacy work:
Primary Care (GP Practice)
Community
Hospital
Primary Care Pharmacists may work directly supporting a GP, nurses, community pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to provide:
medicine management
prescribing advice
Implementing national health priorities at a local level
pharmacy clinical governance coordination
Community pharmacists work in chemist shops that are open to the public. It is UK law that every chemist shop/community pharmacy be under the “direct supervision” of a pharmacist. Community Pharmacists are responsible for:
selling and supplying medicines
selling and supplying medicines
providing advice about medicines
providing advice about symptoms and general health matters
counselling patients on the proper use of medicines
ensuring that different treatments are compatible
purchasing, manufacturing and dispensing medicines
providing quality testing and supply of medicines
providing advice on the selection of medicine and the dosage
UK Pharmacists generally work as part of a pharmacy team which includes a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Assistant. The role of the Pharmacy Technician involves:
preparing and delivering drugs
storing incoming drugs
making up sterile preparations
Employment opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians are usually found in hospital or community pharmacies.
What are the prospects for Pharmacists in the UK?
Pharmacists are in high demand and the outlook for qualified and experienced Pharmacists is very positive. This section of the website will give you all the information you need to successfully transfer your career to the UK and gain invaluable personal and professional experience in one of the world’s most impressive healthcare systems. Get the ball rolling by applying to allied health recruitment agencies.
Will your overseas Pharmacy qualifications be recognised?
If you wish to practice as a Pharmacist in England, Wales or Scotland you must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). If you wish to practice as a Pharmacist in Northern Ireland then you must register with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). For information regarding registration in Northern Ireland, contact the PSNI at +44 028 9032 6927 or registration@psni.org.uk. If you wish to work as a Pharmacist Technician, you need to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council, registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is not mandatory but recommended.
The process of registration as a Pharmacist with the GPhC is quite intense and involves:
completing an Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP)
completing 52 weeks of pre-registration training (internship)
passing a registration examination set by the GPhC
The successful completion of each of these stages demands a large commitment on your behalf but the chance to work in the UK – one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems – is a considerable reward. This section will outline the most important steps along the pathway to registration but if you require any additional information you can check out the GPhC website.
Before you begin anything, you will have to apply to participate in an Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP). To do so you must pass the adjudication process of GPhC which involves assessing your eligibility, qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency skills like IELTS score.
There will be a non-refundable fee of £739.00 fee for processing this application form. Any incomplete application will be returned without processing and unsuccessful applications are not refundable.
If your application is successful you will be accepted into an an Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) which is a full-time, fully fee-paying, year-long course at a UK university. The cost of the OSPAP varies between universities, the average fee is around £13,000 to £18,000. Aside from that, you must also take into consideration the other costs while studying in the UK such as your accommodation, travel, and living expenses cost.
Common documents required for OSPAP admission in universities are but not limited to:
Academic transcripts
Proof of English proficiency
CV/Resume
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Identity documents
Upon completing your OSPAP, you will then need to undertake a period of pre-registration training employment, lasting a minimum of 45 52 weeks. If you pass each of these assessments you will then be eligible to sit the pre-registration exam.
Once you have passed the GPhC registration assessment and paid a new member fee of £191 £257, you will be conferred as a member of GPhC and be eligible to work as a Pharmacist in England, Scotland or Wales.
How much can you expect to earn and what are the working conditions like for UK Pharmacy jobs?
Your salary as a Pharmacist in the UK will be affected by your experience, qualifications and responsibilities. Salary rates may vary from the public to the private sector, though they are usually fairly similar.
The following hierarchy can be used as a general guide for UK Pharmacy jobs:
| Position Title | Pay Band (NHS) | Salary Range (all sectors) |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | 4 | £26,500 — £29,100 per annum |
| Pharmacist Entry Level | 5 | £29,900 — £36,400 per annum |
| Pharmacy Technician Higher Level | 5 | £29,900 — £36,400 per annum |
| Pharmacist | 6 | £37,300 — £44,900 per annum |
| Pharmacy Technician Specialist | 6 | £37,300 — £44,900 per annum |
| Pharmacy Technician Team Manager | 7 | £46,100 — £52,800 per annum |
| Pharmacist Specialist | 7 | £46,100 — £52,800 per annum |
| Pharmacist Advanced | 8A-8B | £53,700 — £60,500 per annum |
| Pharmacist Team Manager | 8B-8C | £62,200 — £85,600 per annum |
| Pharmacy Consultant | 8B-8D | £62,200 — £101,600 per annum |
Although many positions are contract due to visa restrictions the permanent salary gives a guide. Your salary will also reflect the location in which you live. If you live in a high-cost area, such as Inner London, then this will be reflected in your salary. The work hours for a Pharmacist in the UK are around 37.5 hours a week, some extra hours may be required depending on your role, employment status, and company/organisation. You might also be required to participate in an on-call schedule.
How should you go about finding the right UK Pharmacy job for you?
Whether you are applying for a specific pharmacy job or simply looking for something that matches your skills and experience, your first point of contact will probably be a UK Allied Health recruiter. Recruitment agencies are heavily involved in the UK – it is their business to find quality candidates for employers while also helping candidates to grow and progress their careers.
Register with recruitment agencies before you arrive in the UK. Your recruitment consultant will then begin finding you a suitable position, giving you a great head start to your working life in the UK. If your travel plans or arrival date change, be sure to let your recruitment consultant know right away.
Table of Contents
Master the Art of Job Hunting in the UK
Your Essential Guide to Navigating and Succeeding in the Competitive UK Job Market
Unlock the secrets to landing your dream job. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or an international job seeker, this book provides the tools you need to craft standout applications, ace interviews, and secure the perfect position. Don’t let the competitive job market hold you back—equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to succeed with this indispensable resource.
