By: Ruth Abi, B. Pharm. Freelance Health Writer and Datelinehealth Africa Volunteer. Editorial review provided by the Datelinehealth Africa Team
A young black female pharmacist standing at work with serious expression. Image by krakemimage.com on Freepik
From the first breath we take to the present moment, we have all been touched by the work of a healthcare hero – the pharmacist! Who then is a pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a greatly skilled and trusted medication expert trained to formulate, dispense, and provide clinical information on drugs or medications to health professionals and patients. [1]
It is important to note that pharmacists are multifaceted healthcare professionals, therefore, what they do depends on which capacity they work in.
Traditionally, a pharmacist validates prescriptions from physicians, makes the drugs available and counsels patients on their appropriate use. Pharmacists work closely with patients and physicians to ensure that the appropriate medications and dosages are prescribed. [2]
Pharmacists are also engaged in discovering new drugs, manufacturing drugs on a large scale, checking their quality, preparing tailor-made drugs (compounding) for individuals and monitoring the supply/distribution of drugs. [3]
If you would like to become a pharmacist in many sub Saharan African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, etc., you will need to earn a Bachelor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree from a university accredited by the respective countries' Pharmacy Regulatory Agency (e.g., Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Kenya, Pharmacy Council of Ghana, South African Pharmacy Council).
In most SSA countries, a B. Pharm. degree runs for a period of 4 - 5 years depending on your entry qualification, while a Pharm. D. degree runs for 6 years [4].
Also, most SSA countries require you to complete a one year mandatory internship training program (in an institution accredited by the Pharmacy Regulatory Agency of the country) after acquiring the degree. Post-internship, your path to being licensed to practice as a pharmacist may vary slightly from country to country. In Nigeria for example, the completion of your internship qualifies you to sit for the Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP). Passing this exam gets you qualified for a license to practice as a pharmacist. [4]
The salary of a pharmacist depends on a number of factors in most SSA countries. In Nigeria, for example, the factors include:
The area of practice
The level of experience
The grade level and step (for government organizations)
The state of practice
In establishments like hospitals, the earning possibility hinges on some factors. For instance, a pharmacist who works in a federal hospital and one who works with a state hospital may earn different remunerations even if they are in the same grade level.
As of 2024, state hospitals in Nigeria pay around 140,000 to 150,000 Naira monthly for COHENSS 9, 160,000 to 170,000 Naira monthly for COHENSS 10, and 190,000 to 200,000 Naira monthly for COHENSS 11. The starting salary for pharmacists in federal institutions is around 204,000 Naira monthly.
According to Payscale, in South Africa as of 2024, an entry level Pharmacist with one year experience can expect to earn a total compensation of R34,580 per month, while a mid-level career pharmacist with 5-9 years of experience can expect to earn a total compensation of R44,601 per month. A well experienced pharmacist with 10-19 years of experience can expect to earn a total compensation of R50,000 per month.
Salary expectations for a pharmacist in other African countries can be obtained online.
The pharmacy profession is one among many other healthcare professions with numerous career paths. So, whether you enjoy impacting knowledge to others, making ground breaking discoveries, or even interacting one on one with patients, there is something for everyone!
If you enjoy sharing knowledge with others, a career in academic pharmacy could be fulfilling. Pharmacists in academia are saddled with the responsibility of training the next generation of pharmacists.
Among the perks for someone in this career trajectory are a flexible schedule, and career progression. There is also an enormous opportunity to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in research. [5]
A career in the community pharmacy space offers a blend of medication management, patient care, and business. Community pharmacists can choose to work in a pharmacy owned by someone else, or they can take the entrepreneurial route and establish their own.
The responsibilities of a community pharmacist includes:
As a community pharmacist, some of the pros include the ability to work independently, the possibility of becoming a business owner, and the fulfillment in being an employer of labour. The cons include the responsibility of running your own business, and the rigorous schedule.
As the name implies, a hospital pharmacist works in a hospital setting. A career in hospital pharmacy may be exciting for someone who loves clinical pharmacy.
Asides the basic role a pharmacist plays, hospital pharmacists are also involved in checking patients on admission to ensure optimal medication therapy. They also draft budgets and procure drug supplies for the hospital. [7]
The pros include career progression and a sense of job security, while the cons is the monotonous nature of the job.
The Society for Health Communications in the United States defines health communication as the science and art of using communication to advance the health and well-being of people and populations. Health communication is a discipline within the broader fields of public health education and health promotion. [8]
Many pharmacists are transitioning into this field of practice possibly due to the versatility it offers. Health communications can be done through written content or educational videos. However content is conveyed, with humour or solemnity, the intent is to deliver vital information that illuminates the path to better health, wellness and self-awareness, thus enabling people to take control of their lives and thrive!
The pros for a career path in health communication is the flexibility, the originality, and especially, the ability to dish out health information in a way that suits your personality! The cons would be getting clients, especially if your medium is via writing.
The rapid evolution of technology is transforming various industries, and healthcare is no exception. As a pharmacist, you can leverage your expertise in the tech industry by exploring data analyst roles or even software development by creating innovative pharmacy applications.
A career in industrial pharmacy is a good fit for people who love to utilize their know-how to manufacture tangible products and operate machinery. The industrial pharmacist is involved in research, production, packaging and quality control of pharmaceutical goods. [9]
A career in pharmaceutical logistics and supply chain involves the accurate estimation of needed drug commodities, budgeting, procurement and distribution. It is a budding aspect of pharmacy, and could be rewarding if you are keen on ensuring the availability of pharmaceuticals within the public or private health systems.
Medical representatives are ambassadors of pharmaceutical companies. They are involved in promoting the sales of pharmaceutical products by implementing marketing strategies such as informing prescribers on their actions and benefits.
A career as a medical representative could be for you if you like the idea of marketing and are extremely good at it. The pros include getting a percentage from the sales you make asides your basic salary. They also get to enjoy public holidays with their families. The cons is that it may be challenging to reach your sales target sometimes. [9]
Unlike regular pharmacists who attend to the drug needs of their patients one person at a time, pharmacists in public health are able to positively impact large populations per time. This could be through recommending policies, educational programs, carrying out research, or rendering services. [10]
Project management is the planning and organization of a company's resources to move a specific task toward completion. Program management on the other hand involves the oversight of multiple related initiatives that contribute in unison to achieve strategic organizational objectives. A program is a collection of projects.
Lately, there has been a rising association with project management and healthcare. It was mostly used in the construction and engineering industry. [11]
An example of project management in healthcare is implementing electronic health records, or initiating a campaign to get 1,000 children vaccinated against polio in a certain location.
A career path in regulatory pharmacy revolves around upholding rules and regulations within the scope of pharmacy practice to ensure medications are used safely. [9]
In Nigeria, regulatory pharmacists work in organizations like the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Pharmacists in research and development enjoy discovering entirely new innovations or modifying existing medications to ensure the health outcomes of patients are improved.
A degree in pharmacy offers you a diverse range of career paths depending on what makes you tick! Although this is great, it also leaves you feeling a little bit confused after graduation.
Discovering who you are places you at a better advantage to make a choice that aligns with your dreams. A little tip: try out many things, you never know what you may find!
8. Society for Health Communication. About Health communication. [Internet, n.d.]. Cited July 12, 2024. Available from here.
9. Smith Y. NewsMedical Life Sciences. Types of pharmacy. [Internet. Last updated 2023 Aug. 23]. Cited July 12, 2024. Available from here.
10. CDC Foundation. What is Public Health? [Internet, n.d.]. Cited July 12, 2024. Available from here.
11. Investopedia. What is project management and what are the types? [Internet. 2024 April 26]. Cited July 12, 2024. Available from here.
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Published: July 15, 2024
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