MORE than 70% of British pharmacists would not recommend working in the sector, with close to half of community pharmacists reporting that their morale was "low" or "very low".
The data published in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's The Pharmaceutical Journal, found morale was highest among those working in industry, followed by primary care pharmacists.
The results of the survey conducted between May and Jun, showed a significant rise in the proportion of pharmacists who said their morale was low, up 5% on the 2018 survey.
While a significant number of pharmacists said they would not recommend the profession to others, the rate of dissatisfaction among community pharmacists (77%) was disproportionate compared to other sectors of pharmacy, with just over one-in-five hospital pharmacists saying they would not recommend it.
The survey also found that almost three-quarters of community pharmacists had considered leaving the profession in the last 12 months, with 76% reporting a lack of support staff as a factor.
One pharmacy owner told the publication that the decline in morale in community pharmacy was "not just about money, it's about recognition... people don't feel valued".
Another pharmacist said that many pharmacists have become "so ingrained in the supply function" that they no longer felt valued or respected.
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