Job File: Pharmacist

 

Formalized by royal declaration in 1777 , the profession of pharmacist is today one of the most important in the healthcare sector and in our global system. So it was only natural that we should devote one of our fact sheets to it. Let's take a look at its role, missions, studies and average remuneration levels.

Description of the pharmacist's profession

What is the pharmacist's role?

Acting on behalf of the doctor, the pharmacist ensures the distribution of medicines and associated treatments, in compliance with legislation and best practices. They usually work in a pharmacy (or dispensary), but may also work in laboratories or even hospitals. As part of this role, he or she is required to manage stocks, support patients in their care, take part in screening and vaccination campaigns, and manage other aspects of the facility's operations.

Main missions

Pharmacists should not be confused with pharmacy assistants. While the latter only carries out functions linked to the sale of medicines, the pharmacist carries out many other tasks, detailed in our pharmacist job offers, including :

• Dispensing medication: this is the pharmacist's main task, as you'd expect. But it goes further than simply dispensing products. It includes preparing prescriptions, checking that prescriptions are correct, and explaining dosages. The pharmacist must ensure that every patient understands how and when to take his or her medication.
• Patient counseling and education: this is a secondary but essential role. Most of the time, it's designed to complement the doctor's advice, to make up for any oversights or shortcomings in this area. The pharmacist provides information on potential side effects, drug interactions and measures to be taken to minimize risks. They also advise on over-the-counter products, dietary supplements and medical devices.
• Preparation of specific drugs: pharmacists are trained to prepare specific drugs, known as "formulas magistrales". These preparations are tailor-made to meet patients' unique needs, particularly when commercial drugs are not suitable. This may include the preparation of creams, syrups, injectable solutions and other galenic forms.
• Inventory and order management: The pharmacist must ensure that the pharmacy always has an adequate supply of routine and emergency medications. He or she is responsible for ordering new stock, checking expiration dates and implementing measures to avoid stock-outs.
• Monitoring drug interactions : pharmacists must check for possible interactions between prescribed drugs and those already being taken by the patient. They use databases and IT tools to detect potential interactions and prevent undesirable effects.
• Medication assessments: these are used to evaluate all the medications taken by a patient, particularly for the elderly or those suffering from chronic illnesses. The pharmacist analyzes current treatments, identifies duplications and compliance problems, and suggests adjustments to optimize therapy.
• Prevention activities: the pharmacist participates in prevention and public health promotion campaigns. This includes vaccination, screening and awareness-raising on topics such as smoking cessation, nutrition and hygiene.
• Administrative management: these tasks may include record-keeping, accounting and health insurance management. The pharmacist supervises and trains assistant staff, ensures that quality and safety standards are met, and keeps the pharmacy running smoothly.
• Research and development : some pharmacists are involved in pharmaceutical research, contributing to the development of new drugs and therapies. They collaborate with research laboratories, universities and medical institutions to advance healthcare knowledge and practices.

Education and training

Becoming a pharmacist in France requires between 6 and 10 years of study after the baccalauréat, depending on the desired profession.

To begin with, students must complete a 1ʳᵉ year in the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS) or Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS) program. One year later, and subject to success, they can enter the first cycle of general pharmacy studies, common to all specialties and lasting 3 years (PASS and L.AS count as the first).

This common core provides the knowledge needed for all pharmacy-related disciplines, whether in physics, chemistry, biology, disease mechanisms, treatments, molecules, active substances or drug manufacturing. In addition, courses also teach the laws applicable in the field, and other optional courses can be chosen by students to orient themselves more specifically.

These years are punctuated by numerous Practical Works designed to deepen the theoretical teachings, but also by internships in pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories or health agencies to gain initial experience. This 1ᵉʳ cycle culminates in the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Pharmaceutiques (DFGSP) and leads into the2nd cycle, corresponding to the 4ᵉ and 5ᵉ years of pharmaceutical studies.

This 2ᵉ cycle deepens the knowledge acquired during the 1ᵉʳ. In addition, students choose one of three possible courses from among :

• Dispensary pharmacy
• Industrial pharmacy
• Hospital pharmacy or medical biology (under the internship system)

This cycle culminates in the Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Pharmaceutiques (DFASP).

Finally, students must opt for a 3ᵉ cycle court or a pharmacy internship. The former lasts 1 year and leads to the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Pharmacie, while the latter lasts 4 or 5 years and leads to the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées de Docteur en Pharmacie.

To find out more, read our pharmacist studies fact sheet!

Skills and qualities required of a pharmacist

The profession of pharmacist requires a combination of technical, scientific and human skills to ensure quality patient care and effective drug management. Here's a detailed overview:

• Technical skills

• Drug knowledge
• Preparation and distribution
• Use of pharmaceutical software
• Inventory management
• Quality control
• Interpretation of prescriptions

• Scientific skills

• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical chemistry
• Clinical pharmacy
• Microbiology and biotechnology
• Research and development
• Regulations and ethics

• People skills

• Communication
• Empathy and listening
• Consulting and education
• Ethics and professionalism
• Stress management
• Team spirit

Sectors of practice and work environments for pharmacists

Depending on the level of specialization achieved during their studies, pharmacists can work in a variety of settings, occupying specific positions.

The pharmacist's preferred place of work is, of course, the pharmacy (or dispensary). This is where most of these specialists work. They dispense prescription drugs, sell regulated health products, carry out stock management tasks and work with other health professionals.

Pharmacists may also work in hospital pharmacies. Here, they manage in-patient medication, prepare appropriate doses and work with other hospital staff. This is a more pressurized setting, as it is less predictable.

In rarer cases, the pharmacist works in the pharmaceutical industry, participating in the research and development of new drugs. They may also turn to teaching, working in universities or training institutes.

Other marginal areas of practice include public health organizations, private pharmacies and veterinary pharmacies.

Opportunities and salary

During the many years of a pharmacist's career, there are numerous opportunities for advancement in specialization. The most ambitious among them will reach management positions in the pharmacies or laboratories in which they practice, while others will dedicate their activity to more specific pharmaceutical branches such as oncology or pediatrics, where their know-how will be valued.

In addition, training courses will enable them to continue to develop their skills and keep up to date with the latest technological advances. Advances such as artificial intelligence, telepharmacy and the automation of certain processes were not taught in pharmaceutical schools just a few years ago. This additional training enables all professionals to take part in these revolutions.

Finally, pharmacists' remuneration will evolve according to various factors:

• Experience: pharmacists at the start of their careers generally have lower salaries, but these will rise automatically as they gain experience and move up the organization's hierarchy, from assistant pharmacist to managing pharmacist, for example.
• Location: when setting up shop, pharmacists need to take into account a number of criteria that will influence their income. These include the standard of living of the local population, the location of the pharmacy and the population density, which will determine the flow of business.
• Types of practice: as we saw earlier, pharmacists can work in very different conditions. For example, a pharmacist working in a private clinic will earn more than one working in a traditional dispensary.

Would you like to find out more? Take a look at our pharmacist salary sheet !

In short, the profession of pharmacist requires rigor and devotion at all times. Although pharmacists are often confused with pharmacy assistants, the diversity and complexity of their missions make them much more than a mere relay for doctors. They prepare, manage and design medicines, and play a key role in the daily lives of French people. It's a precious profession, and one that requires a real passion on the part of the person who practises it. So, the next time you go to the dispensary to pick up your medication (or simply to buy a toothbrush), think about the work your pharmacist does behind the scenes, in the shadow of glances and applause.

If you'd like to read on, we recommend this Pharmacy Preparer study sheet.