Challenges facing the pharmacist today

Over the past 31 years as a pharmacist, I have reflected on how far our profession has come and on the questions we still struggle to confront.

We have evolved from a traditional dispensing role to independent prescribers and advanced clinical practitioners. Alongside this, the pharmacy assistant role has progressed into accredited checking and medicines management technicians. Our scope of practice has expanded, responsibilities have grown and expectations continue to rise.

Yet one question remains: are pharmacists truly being represented?

Many of my peers stepped away from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society because they felt the pharmacist’s voice was not being heard. Has that changed? That is the question I pose to colleagues today.

During my career, we have seen the General Pharmaceutical Council evolve, and now move toward becoming a royal college. A strong regulator is essential of that there is no doubt. But regulation alone is not enough. We must also champion pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We must be bold enough to ask difficult questions and strong enough to say ‘No’ when changes benefit corporate interests more than the profession as a whole.

I support collaboration with pharmacy technicians. However, integration must not dilute representation. Progression and opportunity must remain fair, transparent and just.

We have seen pay change from £11 per hour as a pre-registration trainee to just under £20. In community pharmacy, Brexit pushed rates from £25 to £35–£40 per hour. Hospital colleagues benefit from structured banding, but is band allocation always equitable? Is progression truly merit-based, or driven by financial pressure?

Too often, internal politics influence outcomes. Remaining silent can feel safer than challenging the status quo. But a profession cannot grow stronger if fairness depends on being liked, compliant or conveniently quiet.

We must also confront an uncomfortable truth: for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with protected characteristics, the same rules do not always seem to apply. Microaggressions remain a lived reality. In every role I have held, I have encountered them.

I believe in a profession where race, religion, gender or political belief do not determine opportunity — where fairness is foundational, not aspirational.

I am not willing to accept that justice exists only in theory. If we are to call ourselves a profession, we must examine ourselves honestly, challenge inequity and build systems that serve all pharmacists equally.

That is the conversation we must have now.

Rona Lee

Candidate for the inaugural elections to the English Pharmacy Advisory Council