Advice of combining law & pharmacy degrees

[pafia]

Hi, I was hoping to get some career advice. I have both a law degree and pharmacy degree -don't ask why, it just worked out that way.

I'm currently working as a locum pharmacist but I am considering possibly doing my legal practice course to become a solicitor, with the intention of practising in the pharmaceutical field.

Many people have told me this would be a good thing, however I would really like to know if anyone out there has actually done this and if so what advice they may have.

Sorry if this is the wrong section.

Thanks,

[Asterix]

May I ask, did you get your law degree first or your pharmacy degree?

[pafia]

Hi, I got my degree in law first.

[DavidS]

Firstly, as the sometime selfimposed forum ocd threadmover and tidier, I really don't know which forum your question ought to be in, but I'm not moving it in case you sue me.

Second, there are several who have done it, both as solicitor and barrister. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if you want to go the legal route the PDA will be all over you like a rash, and there are legal firms frequently mentioned at statcomm meetings: it might be worth getting in touch with them. I would phone them, they will be sure to know of others who have done it, and will probably pay for you to do it in return for ...... If you want to go the pharmacy route then I'm sure there is a place for you there as well, possibly in the company secretary's office for one of the multiples.

Its arguably more important to have legal knowledge now than clinical, I sometimes think. But then I think I may belong to what Olivia Timbs calls "the alkward squad." We shall see.

[Sofia]

You are an ambitious individual, and the hard working type with most relevant experience in retail pharmacy...
Clearly what you want to do is to open a pharmacy!

[pafia]

Thanks for the advice DavidS you suggestions make sense. I probably send some law firms a speculative letter hopefully I might get a response that helps make my mind up.

I've consider opening/buying a pharmacy in the past, Sofia, however with all the cat M clawbacks and with the economy in its current state it doesn't seem a very promising prospect currently. However who knows what the future will hold, it may be somthing I would consider if other things do not work out.

[Jeff]

I would really like to know if anyone out there has actually done this

There's Graham Southall-Edwards at the PDA.

And an ex (temporary?) Chief Pharmacist at the DoH (sorry his name escapes me)

[Web Ferret]

I know of another pharmacist turned solicitor who now has his own practice. Pm me for details

[1Legalman]

One opening is in FTP proceedings. Since the Shipman affair and the subsequent regulation through the Health Act 1999 and the later 'section 60' Orders, there is a good opportunity to practice klaw in professional regulation. Whilst it is not necessary to be a Pharmacy to represent such persons, having both qualifications gives one a deal of insight into the problems faced by Registrants. Ideally, you need to start at age 30 and not much more.