Published by Computachem Services

P.O Box 297.
Alstonville. 2477
NSW Australia

Phone:
61 2 66285138

To make a decision in your late teens as to what you are going to do with the rest of your life is a daunting one.
During my time at University I saw many a first year from a variety of courses lamenting at the first year study center (Manning Bar) the mistake they had made by choosing the course they were doing; how it seemed so much more interesting in the Course guide; and how on earth they were going to transfer to the next course that held their interest.

I'm sure many came into pharmacy with grandiose plans of using it as a stepping stone to other courses, or as a "that'll do" when other courses provided a cold shoulder.
But maybe things were different back then.
Maybe people came into pharmacy because it was what they wanted to spend the rest of their lives doing.

But I digress.

I was recently told (with no evidence to back it up) that almost half of all pharmacists who had registered at some stage after completing the three year or four year degree no longer worked as a healthcare provider.
Some had turned to management (non pharmaceutical), working as drug representatives, or in public relations.
I was also told that this changeover occurred predominantly before the age of thirty five (once again, with no evidence to substantiate this claim).

I'm not sure whether these figures are anywhere near accurate, but it does seem that pharmacists disappear off on a tangent somewhere, through gained opportunities to take on other roles or dissatisfaction in their job.

In contrast to these "pharmacists for the time being" there is the "pharmacy for life" group.

I am still yet to meet a "retired" pharmacist, someone who, after the age of 65, has decided that they no longer need to wear the white jacket (both pharmacy and non pharmacy connotations intended) and has opted instead to take up more pleasurable pursuits on a full time basis.

The word "semi retired" seems to float around pharmacy with the same meaning as "retired", despite thirty plus hours per week being spent dispensing, and probably only one or two days off plus the weekend. While I'm sure it happens in many other professions, certainly in other health professions, pharmacy tends to be more visible.
Perhaps pharmacy is just a tough habit to break.
Perhaps like other long term endocrine treatments, pharmacists should be weaned off their large doses of stress.

Many cross-generational statements have been made above, from a single generational perspective.
My mind is open, and so is the forum.
Both will benefit from your postings.

Back to Frontpage

Other Articles by this writer