Working as a pharmacist

[Laura12]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and after my first day of work experience at my local pharmacy I'm in need of some advice.
As far as the degree goes, it seems perfect for me and I'm confident I'd enjoy it, however I have to say the job does seem very tedious. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing that for 40+ years of my life. I'd just like pharmacist opinions of the job and what challenges you face.
I'm also very intrigued in clinical trials, would this be possible with a pharmacy degree?

Thanks for any help

[bolam]

yes of course, i remember lecturers pointing out in our lectures on drug development the job opportunities there for pharmacists, and before any cynics jump on me she even offered to go to her for help applying for such jobs!
From my experience pharmacy is as tedious as you make it, its amazing how excitement for work changes with each pharmacist I work with. And without clinical knowledge I guess it seemed very tedious to you.

[Laura12]

Thanks for your reply? Which such jobs could you go into? And yeah, I see where your coming from. I guess I was doing the job of a dispensing assistant plus it was a very quiet pharmacy

[vanquish s]

Personally I love the job. Interaction with patients, diagnosing them, learning about new medicine continuously. There are so many opportunities as well, countless in industry, particularly business development, the NHS, surgery's. Plus the salary is really good.

[hibernia]

From my experience pharmacy is as tedious as you make it.

I agree. Every job has boring bits but you have to balance that with the more interesting parts.
Working with the public has many downsides but boredom isn't one of them. You have to be able to laugh at the stranger situations you find yourself in.

[johnep]

A pharmacist is used to cross disciplinary work and dealing with accuracy requirements. I have met pharmacists working as Perfumers, cosmetic chemists, and flavourists to name just one small segment of industry. I dealt with Food, Pharmaceuticals and Animal Feed. As such I advised on antioxidants, vitamin supplements, and animal nutrition. You could also work as a science teacher. I did.
Pharmacy can take you as far as your imagination. Name an industry and I will suggest a job that a pharmacist could do.
johnep

[Fleegle]

Name an industry and I will suggest a job that a pharmacist could do.
johnep

Manufacture of organic toilet seats.

[johnep]

First prove that one exists in this country. Toilet seats are not an industry in themselves but a tiny facet of plastic or wood industries. Example of a job for a
pharmacist is looking for non toxic plasticisers and antioxidants for food wrapping plastics. I sold Vitamin E for the latter. For the wood industry, example on this forum of bone replacement. Next industry?
johnep

[Nik]

Adult film industry ?

[hibernia]

Adult film industry ?

That one is too easy Nik. Apart from the fact that many phamacists have suitable attributes for the acting side I'm sure the gentlemen need occasional pharmacological help on a long shift!