Local pharmacist features in World Pharmacists Day campaign

World Pharmacists Day aims to show people what a career in pharmacy looks like and ensure that it is an attractive prospect to help meet the growing demand for pharmacy workers.

Sally Farmer, who is from Taunton and works as a community pharmacist at Day Lewis Pharmacy, is working with Four Health, Health Education England and NHS Careers in a video and resource-led campaign to introduce a new generation to the varied roles available to qualified pharmacists.

Sally hopes that students from Somerset will see the diversity of pharmacy roles available and be inspired to study for a degree in the field.

She said: "The most rewarding moments of my journey so far are every time I could make a difference to a patient’s daily life and every time I’ve helped to improve their health, and how that helps their family, their friends, and just makes their life better."

Sally, who won Chemist and Druggist's 'Covid Hero Outstanding Individual' award in 2020, said in her case study video: "Being a pharmacist is absolutely amazing. We are the front door of the NHS. 

"You can be the pillar of the community. Patients can come in and see you any time. You can provide them with confidential expert advice on medicines that nobody else can.

"It is a challenging job, but it's so, so rewarding." 

She won the award for going the extra mile to help patients and her community during the pandemic - including administering over 1,500 flu vaccinations across the county in schools, for NHS staff and for the homeless.

Sally and other pharmacists have highlighted three key reasons why students from Somerset should consider a career in pharmacy.

They say that it is an intellectually stimulating career, pharmacists are agents of social good, and a career in pharmacy is rewarding.

Helen Porter, pharmacy dean London and South East at Health Education England (HEE), said: “Patients and the public are increasingly relying on the support and expertise of the pharmacy workforce to help them live longer, healthier lives.

"We need to ensure that pharmacy is seen as an attractive career choice so we can meet the demand for workforce expansion.

"Given that the roles in pharmacy are very diverse and changing at pace, key to achieving this is making sure people know what a career in pharmacy looks like, so it’s top of the list."

Shane Costigan, HEE’s associate head of pharmacy London and South East, said: "To meet the current and future needs of patients and the public, we need to grow the pharmacy workforce and ensure that pharmacy is seen as the attractive, varied, and dynamic health and care career choice that it is."