I love being a pharmacist, but...

Those who read my blog may be aware of my pharmacy stories. It's that platform I use to discuss the the current state of the profession and the problems I face at work. I rant so much you think I must be this loathsome and cynical little meatbag who sits in a dark room doing nothing but typing away. The truth is, I love being a pharmacist. It's the work environment and  unsavoury practices that get to me, engineered by pharmacy chains with a dubious track record. 

Which is why I'm going to write positive for a change, and nothing makes me feel more positive than the Scottish government's proposal for how pharmacists could operate in the near future.

Basically, right now we in the profession stand in a pharmacy from 9-6 and dispense/check prescriptions. Lots of them. Much of that valuable clinical knowledge I acquired over 4 years is sadly not put to full use. The emphasis is on volume. Volume means money. 

However the specialist contract could see named pharmacists being assigned case loads of patients to deal with. An employment contract would be with the health service, as opposed to a pharmacy. Realistically, that would also mean the source of the salary changes. Which means I'll probably be paid by the NHS as opposed to a pharmacy chain. The more specialised role would be undertaken in settings like doctors clinics, care homes and existing pharmacies.

The aim is to give pharmacists greater autonomy and thus allow them to make professional decisions for patients. Right now, my work place expects me to give brilliant care to a patient customer and slap a customer survey into their hands. Very professional, isn't it? I think not.

Of course the concept of Pharmacists holding contracts and responsibility over their own case loads of patients is unlikely to be welcomed by such chains. It would mean them losing revenue and control over individual pharmacists. However profit from dispensing alone is shrinking and soon there might not be a choice.

Ultimately I'm hopeful. If the day comes, it'll be a great victory for the profession.