NEWS Are you a Busy ‘B’? by John Murphy


Clarity Locums to host information evening


Clarity Locums are inviting all community pharmacy contractors in Northern Ireland to their annual information evening.


The event takes place on Tuesday the 18th of November from 6:30pm until 8pm in the Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Square Lower, Dublin 2. The team at Clarity Locums hope to meet attendees where they can introduce you to the team and help kick start your locum career.


I asked my better half the following question last week: “When you go to your local pharmacy, what is your reason?”


Her answer was as follows: “Mainly to collect prescription medication and maybe pick up a few bits and pieces while I’m there”. This got me thinking about the perceptions the public have of pharmacies and how this could change through NHS reform and pharmacy owners regenerating their businesses.


In my role as Pharmacy Development Manager for Numark I am constantly finding pharmacists leading a time- poor existence, summed up by many in the profession of ‘doing more for less’.


Let’s look at the cold facts: even if a pharmacy in today’s environment stood still and didn’t proactively look of ways to increase scripts, their business is increasing 5% year on year.


This is due to an aging population, more accurate diagnosing of ailments and other adverse life style changes in the general public. The resulting increase in script volume is the direct result and why so many pharmacists lead such busy working lives.


So where does this situation lead? And what steps can pharmacists take to future proof their business? This question needs to be looked at very carefully over the immediate future, after all, money as well as time is at stake.


Let’s create a scenario for ‘Pharmacist A’ and ‘Pharmacist B’.


Pharmacist A has a high script volume every month, spends all their time in the dispensary checking and making sure their customers get their prescriptions promptly (a very important part of the profession) a huge part of this role includes MDS.


48 pharmacyinfocus.co.uk


Any spare time they have is spent pricing product from suppliers, searching through endless price lists, daily phone calls, etc. They are not doing any MURs, Managing your Meds and they are doing a limited amount of Minor Ailments. Extra private services such as flu clinics and travel clinics are highly aspirational.


Pharmacist B again has a very high script volume, they have accredited checkers employed to carry out most of the dispensing. Their purchasing is executed through a highly effective IT solution built into their PMR. The vast majority of their time is spent customer facing and carrying out essential services such as MURs and Managing your Meds which they access through their MDS customers.


Consultative advice through Minor Ailments is commonly given, and flu and travel clinics are carried out both in their pharmacy and in the community.


They also make use of their time accessing patients through community health checks.


After looking at these two scenarios, which pharmacy is better set up to cope with the future demands of patients?


The change in professional acumen from ‘Pharmacist A’ to ‘Pharmacist B’ illustrates that to sustain and provide an excellent healthcare platform to the general public, every pharmacy in Northern Ireland needs to engage in services.


you never know, my better half may realise that her local community pharmacy provides prescriptions, excellent consumer goods and an environment where it will be second nature to get vital health checks and advice.


The question I put to you is, are you A or B?


Those beginning their pharmacy career, might be considering starting out as a Locum. Locuming is the perfect way to learn fast and gain invaluable clinical, practical and interpersonal experience at working in a busy pharmacy environment.


The evening is designed specifically for locum pharmacists and Clarity Locums will have a number of presentations, including: key aspects of working as a locum pharmacist in Ireland, Locum Pharmacist taxation and pharmacy owners expectations of locum pharmacists.


This is an excellent opportunity to network with your pharmacy peers and key industry players. The team hope you find the panel speakers of interest and above all, that you enjoy yourself at this gathering of fellow pharmacy professionals. Light refreshments will be provided on the night.


Careers and development with Clarity Launched in 2012, Clarity Locums is the fastest growing locum agency in Ireland sourcing locums for over 800 pharmacies. Run by practicing locum pharmacists, we have our finger on the pulse of the locum sector ensuring that both our locums' and clients’ needs are serviced in an efficient and professional manner.


Throughout 2015 we have developed our locum training centre and recruitment offerings based upon our commitment to quality and efficiency.


Today we provide pharmacist led training on Irish dispensing software. The service is run from our head office on Baggot Street and available to all Locums who are interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest pharmacy dispensing software. The training is free of charge to all registered Locums and pre-reg Locums.


Our full-time recruitment team recruits all levels of pharmacy staff from OTC assistants to superintendent pharmacists, alongside pharma industry and hospital roles. Whatever your career direction our recruitment and training team will work alongside you to facilitate your development and career progression.


Clarity is proud to offer our industry leading service to pharmacists interested in starting a career in the Republic – our doors are always open so if you have any questions please feel free to drop into our offices for chat about how we can help you achieve your potential.


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