Sadly, too many Pharmacists endure a toxic work culture

It'll have been three years since I became a locum. As I write this, I'm about to embark on being a manager at an independent pharmacy. A short term contract, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm healthier and happier than I was three years ago. I've come a long way and I've never looked back. 

Related: I've handed in my resignation letter, woop woop!

Yet, I read an article today and felt sickened by what so many other Pharmacists have to put up with, to the detriment of their health and wellbeing. Sometimes, their career too.

I'm talking about the case of Reginald Ranson, who had been a Pharmacist for 45 years but was struck off recently. His only fault was carrying out medicines use reviews (MURs) without accreditation. Some have argued that, as a professional, this was dishonest and deceitful behaviour.  However, a closer read of this case and other fitness to practice cases involving Pharmacists shows the uneven approach of the regulatory body - the GPhC - and how it can sometimes be so disproportionate as to be laughable. 

The Pharmacy profession needs to uphold standards, but it is difficult to justify the outcome of the Ranson case when the GPhC has previously only suspended people for fraud or given only warnings for sexual misconduct. Carrying out MURs without a certificate seems quaint in comparison.

However, a closer read of this case and other fitness to practice cases involving Pharmacists shows the uneven approach of the regulatory body...

What makes this more frustrating is the GPhC should be more sympathetic, or at least politically astute, in light of the MUR scandal and Pharmacist workplace pressures becoming public. As someone who has worked in a large chain, I can say the approach of managers can be questionable.

A mixture of harassment from his manager and pressure to do more MURs stressed him out, and neither his manager or employer have been held to account. 

Warnings can become disciplinaries, disciplinaries can become referrals to the GPhC. Ranson had been doing MURs without a certificate for at least 2 years and had he worked in a less hostile work environment, nothing would have come of it. In fact, if he weren't under so much pressure he may have sorted out his certificate. If his workplace had been less hostile, this might not have happened. Sadly, too many Pharmacists endure a toxic work culture. 

I'm not saying that Ranson was guilt free, but it was this toxic environment that got the better of him. A mixture of harassment from his manager and pressure to do more MURs stressed him out, and neither his manager or employer have been held to account. Stress can make people do strange things, cloud the judgement of otherwise reasonable people. If his manager had been more supportive and things less hostile, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

Below is the link to the article.

Chemist & Druggist Pharmacist struck off for carrying out MURs unaccredited