Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are considerably less likely to be unemployed when compared to the economically active population as a whole, a survey conducted by the General Pharmaceutical Council has revealed (reports Asha Fowells).

The census provides a good illustration of the diversity and adaptability of the profession, with over a tenth of registrants having more than one job.

Just 2 per cent of pharmacy professionals reported being out of work, a figure that is considerably lower than the 7.6 per cent for the general population over the same period of time.

While some 10 per cent of pharmacists and 5 per cent of pharmacy technicians said that they were not working in a job relating to pharmacy, the vast majority said this was because they were caring for a family.

However the working hours clocked up by pharmacy professionals fell short of what many would consider to be a full working week, at 35.7 hours for pharmacists and 32.5 hours for pharmacy technicians. This compares to 37.6 hours per week for the economically active population as a whole.

Appraisals

Community is the setting where most pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work (72 per cent and 53 per cent respectively), with hospital the second largest sector (23 per cent of pharmacists and 39 per cent of pharmacy technicians).

Those working in hospital were considerably more likely than their community colleagues to have had a performance appraisal in the last year – something that may be relevant as continuing fitness to practise draws closer.

The GPhC commissioned the survey as a way of finding out where pharmacy professionals work and the type of responsibilities they have, in order to develop effective and appropriate regulatory approaches. All 21,672 pharmacy technicians and 30,040 of the pharmacists on the register in autumn 2013 were invited to take part, with just under 30,000 (55 per cent) choosing to participate.