Job File: Pharmacist

Officialised by royal declaration in 1777, the pharmacist's profession is today one of the most important in the healthcare sector and in our global system. So it's only natural that we should devote one of our reports to it. Together, let's take a look at its role, missions, studies and average levels of performance.

Description of the pharmacist's job

What is the pharmacist's rôle? 

Relaying the role of the doctor, the pharmacist guarantees the distribution of medicines and associated treatments, in compliance with legislation and good practice. He or she usually works 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, accompany patients on their care pathways, take part in screening and vaccination campaigns, and manage other aspects of the facility's operations.

The main missions

The pharmacist must not be confused with the pharmacy assistant. While the latter only performs functions related to the sale of medicines, the pharmacist performs many other tasks, detailed in our pharmacist job offers, including: 

• Remise des médicaments : c’est la principale mission du pharmacien, comme vous s'en doutez. But there's more to it than simply handing over a product. This includes preparing prescriptions, checking that prescriptions are correct, and explaining dosages. The pharmacist must ensure that each patient understands how and when to take his or her medication.
• Patient advice and education : this is a secondary, but essential, role. Most of the time, the pharmacist's role is to back up the doctor's speech, to make up for any omissions or shortcomings. The pharmacist provides information on potential side effects, drug interactions and measures to minimize risks. They also advise on over-the-counter products, dietary supplements and medical devices.
• Préparation of spécific drugs : pharmacists are trained to prepare specific drugs, known as "magistral formulas". These prescriptions are tailor-made to meet the unique needs of patients, particularly when commercial drugs are not suitable. This can include the provision 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 medicines. He/she is responsible for ordering new stock, checking expiry dates and implementing measures to avoid stock-outs.
• Medication interaction monitoring : pharmacists must check for possible interactions between prescribed medications and those the patient is already taking. They use databases and computerized tools to detect potential interactions and prevent adverse effects.
• Recording medication histories : these make it possible to assess all the medications taken by a patient, particularly for people with chronic illnesses. The pharmacist analyzes current treatments, identifies duplications and compliance problems, and suggests adjustments to optimize therapy.
• Prevention activities : the pharmacist participates in public health prevention and 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 all meet quality and safety standards, 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 health knowledge and practice.

Études et formations

To become a pharmacistin France requires between 6 and 10 years of study after the baccalaureate, depending on the type of practice desired. 

In the first instance, the student will have to go through a 1ʳᵉ année en Parcours Accès Santés Spécifique (PASS) or en Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS). One year later, and subject to success, the student can enter the first cycle of general pharmacy studies, which is common to all specialties and lasts 3 years (the PASS and L.AS count as the first).

This core curriculum covers all the disciplines involved in pharmacy, including physics, chemistry, biology, disease mechanisms, treatments, molecules, active substances and drug manufacturing. In addition, courses teach the laws applicable in the field, and other optional courses can be chosen by students to focus more specifically.

These years are punctuated by numerous Practical Work placements designed to deepen the theoretical teachings, as well as internships in pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories or health agencies to gain initial experience. This 1ᵉʳ cycle leads to the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Pharmaceutiques (DFGSP) and enables students to embark on the 2e cycle, corresponding to the 4ᵉ and 5ᵉ années détudes pharmaceutiques.

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

• Pharmacie d’officine
• Pharmacy industry
• Hospital pharmacy or medical biology (under internship system)

This cycle leads to 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 Dipl’État de Docteur en Pharmacie, while the latter lasts 4 or 5 years and leads to the Dipl’Études Spécialis&e;es de Docteur en Pharmacie.

To find out more about this topic, find our pharmacist études sheet!

Skills and qualities required of a pharmacist

The pharmacist's profession 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

• Knowledge of drugs 
• Préparation and distribution
• Pharmaceutical software use
• Inventory management
• Quality control
• Prescription interpretation

• Scientific skills

• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical chemistry
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Microbiology and biotechnology
• Research and development
• Regulation and ontology

• Compétences Humaines

• Communication
• Empathy and écoute
• Advice and éducation
• Éthics and professionalism
• Stress management
• Team spirit

Pharmacist practice areas and working environments

Depending on the level of specialization achieved during pharmacist studies, this healthcare professional may practice in a variety of locations, then occupying specific functions.

The pharmacist's preferred location is, of course, the pharmacy (or dispensary). This is where most of these specialists work. Here, they deliver prescription medicines, sell regulated health products, carry out stock management tasks and collaborate with other health professionals.

Pharmacists can also work in hospital pharmacies. Here, he or she manages the medication of hospitalized patients, prepares the appropriate doses and collaborates with other hospital staff. It's a more pressing setting, because it's less visible.

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

Finally, the other marginal places of its practice are public health organizations, private pharmacies and veterinary pharmacies.

Pharmacist opportunities and salary

During the many years of carriage as a pharmacist, there are many opportunities for advancement in specialization. The most ambitious among them will reach management positions in the pharmacies or laboratories where they work, while others will devote their activities to more specific pharmaceutical branches, such as oncology or pediatrics, where their know-how will be put to good use. 

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 process automation were not taught in pharmaceutical schools until a few years ago. These complementary training courses therefore enable all professionals to take part in these developments.

Finally, the rémunération of pharmacists évoluera selon divers facteurs: 

• L’expérience : pharmacists at the beginning of their careers generally have lower salaries, but these will increase steadily as they earn more and more money;as they gain experience and move up the organization's hierarchy, from assistant pharmacist to managing pharmacist, for example.
• The location : when setting up, the pharmacist will have to take into account certain criteria that will influence his income. These include the standard of living of the local population, the location of the pharmacy, and the population density that will drive the flow.
• The types of practice :as we saw earlier, pharmacists can practice under very different conditions. For example, a pharmacist working in a private clinic will earn more than a pharmacist employed in a traditional dispensary.

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Find our pharmacist salary sheet!

En résumé, the pharmacistmécess requires rigor and dévotion at all times. Often confused with the pharmacy technician, the diversity and complexity of the pharmacist's tasks make him or her much more than a simple relay for the doctor. They prepare, manage and distribute 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 those who practise it. So, the next time you visit the dispensary to pick up your treatment (or simply to buy a toothbrush), think about the work your pharmacist does behind the scenes, in the shadow of stares and applause.

If you'd like to read on, we recommend this pharmacy pharmacist fact sheet.