I'm a trainee pharmacist who spoke up about my concerns at the pharmacy I did my training in and I believe they penalised me for it. There was too many patients and only one pharmacist on duty from 9am to 8pm. Was asked by a senior member of staff to drive to a patient's home to chase up £30 for a prescription I accidentally undercharged her for during a particularly busy day. I raised my concerns about confidentiality and refused. I paid the money out of my own pocket but the said senior member of staff forced my supervisor not to sign me off because I "disobeyed him". Could have taken my case to tribunal but decided not to as this could take years. The community pharmacists I have worked with are pushed to work outside their contracted hours and have often taken out their frustration on me and other members of staff. I feel I need to move profession but my parents are pressuring me to chase the paycheck. Thank you for this video, it is good to hear advice from someone who has worked in the profession and understands.

I left the profession in the United States back in 2000-best decision I ever made; now I teach at the college level-few people realize how miserable an experience it can be! Best of luck to you!

Thank you for the video. I feel that you worked for the company I've been working for 2 yrs. The only difference is me being 'just' a pharmacist, not a manager. After changing the area and seeing how different stores work, I feel that I don't fit or have too much expectations from them or they from me. I noticed that leaving a pharmacists for 2.5-4 hrs during 10hr shifts alone (no dispensers/no support at all) has became a new norm. 😢 There are very busy pharmacies and I found myself close to burnout. I reduced my hours first...and after short time definitely stopped enjoying it, started complaining and being upset every time I need to go to work. And the same...3 monts to say goodbye...I'll probably take a sick leave to cover this time. I want to leave due to enormous stress. Just self-checking for 4hrs in a very busy environment might hurt somebody one day and feeling that I risk my licence every day is not worth of any money.

I’m a pharmacy technician and I’m stressed to the max, but I can imagine what a manager goes through. We’re very understaffed where I work and I end up doing other tasks including my own and by the end of the day I’m exhausted. The only thing I care about is eating and going to sleep, just to wake up and do it all again. I’m currently looking for more closed door or work from home opportunities because I can’t deal with community health anymore, especially in an area where they don’t give a care about you. I LOVE pharmacy. Just not the situation I’m in currently.

I’m a medical technologist in South Africa, you’re literally describing my work place… the toxicity…my gosh. This video is really encouraging me to leave. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is incredibly accurate and relatable. I’m going into year 30 as a retail pharmacist and the profession has been stripped of autonomy and we’re in a position of no leverage at this point. Cheers! ❤

Thank you for sharing your experience. I quit last year and was thinking of returning but i think I’ll focus on my career in tech 😅

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Welcome back 🤗🤗

I did my pre-reg in a community pharmacy. Worked as a Pharmacist for 1 year and left to become a Software Engineer. I'm just happy that I can have convenient toilet breaks and don't get abused by patients now!😅

This was really helpful. Thanks. ❤

I love these - keep it up 👍🏼

Omg at 5:40, I did the exact same mistake. Asked them how many staff they were, and they gave me a good number. And on the day of my interview, the pharmacy was actually sufficiently staffed. However when I started most of the pharmacists I had met during the interview were suddenly working at other pharmacies, so I was essentially doing the work of 3-4 people. I also ended up working with mostly unqualified staff which made things more draining. Ended up quitting in the end as the workload was just too much.

Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.

Hello Faith, thank you for all you do Kindly advise someone like me.who isn't interested in practicing Pharmacy; is Epidemiology or Public health a big deal there in the UK?

Hi! I just want to ask about the working hours for pharmacists in the UK? Is there a good work life balance? I'm looking for a job that offers 40hrs/week at least. Or less if that's available haha

sorry to hear about your bad experience, can you please give some advices about how to get visa sponsorship? I will start the ospap course but I'm afraid that at the end I won't find the sponsor offer and all that hard work and money will go to waste

Left community for primary care last year and I have not looked back

Have you ever considered going to the hospital sector? Thanks

Thanks so much, for the info. How long is the probation period?

You have survived a vertical learning curve. Sadly, in my lifetime of experience, we, as healthcare workers are thrown into the deep end and expected to sink or swim. You were able to get out of the pool and catch your breath. Wishing you the best. You needed at least twice the staff to perform the responsibilities asked. Your red flags are not just red, they are FLASHING red with sirens. GJBrownDO 11/9/2023

Being a pharmacy manager is not worth the extra stress and chump change you get for it. Also, you are always the point person to blame for problems caused by corporate. Corporate is NOT culpable for anything especially in retail pharmacy. They will through you under the bus in a heartbeat.