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Ahead of World Pharmacists Day on September 25th, we encouraged the Clarity team to share their thoughts, advice, and experiences surrounding pharmacy as a way to commemorate the day. Below is a piece written by Clarity Locum's executive director, John Burke. Detailing his experience with the world of pharmacy, John gives a brilliant insight into the different aspects of the industry.
As a pharmacist registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) for nearly 40 years, I reflect on World Pharmacists Day 2022 from a number of perspectives.
I recall the joy of receiving my parchment licence to practice as a pharmacist and being inspired by early mentors in the profession. I remember the terror of opening my own practice and the early years of self-doubt. Here, too, I was sustained by colleagues in the pharmacy and peers within the profession. I remember my first days on the Council and my years as President of PSI as I sought to come to grips with the long list of issues to be progressed.
At that time, the largest chain of pharmacies was Hayes Conyngham & Robinson, with thirteen pharmacies; and the foremost goal of the PSI Council was the enactment of updated primary pharmacy legislation- the new Pharmacy Act. While this legislation would not be enacted until some years later, it was achieved through the collaborative efforts of pharmacists pursuing legislation that would support better health outcomes and the profession of pharmacy. Has it been wholly successful? Many within the profession would have their doubts and some would reserve judgement; some flames were lit, though, not least the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP).
In recent years, different perspectives emerged.
Working in RCSI as the National Liaison Pharmacist on the National Pharmacist Internship Programme (NPIP), I experienced one of the great forces for good in the profession- the Tutor Pharmacist. Travelling all around the country, though we had some difficulties, I was invariably inspired by the passion of pharmacist tutors in all sectors of the profession. All unpaid work. Interns, inevitably bright, eager to learn and serve, were and remain greatly supported by this cohort of tutors.
Yet another perspective comes from my work as a locum pharmacist.
Here, the predominant experience was of the stresses, strains and relative powerlessness of this position. That notwithstanding, and as happenstance would have it, it was on one of those assignments where I met and worked with my now business partner in Clarity Locums who was also locuming that day.
Thus, for almost 10 years now, I have observed the world of pharmacy, less from the front line, and more from the rather peculiar and tense perch of the Recruitment and Locum agency that is Clarity Locums. Trying to meet the inevitably conflicting needs of pharmacy owners and locum pharmacy staff is often difficult and marked by dissatisfaction. They say that if everybody is giving out to you, you must be doing something right! It sure doesn’t feel that way, betimes!
Latterly, working in Clarity Locums, I have come to appreciate the extent of the workplace vulnerabilities of the locum pharmacist. Yet arguably, and perhaps paradoxically, the locum pharmacist holds a power and freedom seldom held before. Some will argue that pharmacies are closing, in large part because of the costs of professional pharmaceutical personnel. I suspect this may have played a part, sadly, in the closure of my own pharmacy which had been in situ as a pharmacy since 1899. At a time when we have never had more pharmacists on the PSI’s Register of Pharmacists, finding a locum can be difficult and expensive and many young pharmacists, regardless of the salary levels and some of the locum rates, are leaving the profession.
Undoubtedly, pharmacy manpower issues are complex, but my wish is that that collegial and professional spirit which I have encountered in so may guises throughout my career in pharmacy, will create a warmer house for our young pharmacists on this World Pharmacist’s Day 2022.
- John Bourke MPSI, September 2022
