Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Locum pharmacist rates up by 14 per cent across UK, survey reveals

Locate a Locum’s analysis has found that there has been around 14 per cent rise in rate of locum pharmacist in a year.

The report said: "Post-covid locum pharmacist rates remain at an all-time high because of a variety of internal and external factors, including continued strong local and regional demand for pharmacist services, which is more acute in some areas, and some persistent last-minute or unplanned booking activity among pharmacies."


The study is based on an analysis of more than 30,000 locum pharmacist shifts booked on the Locate a Locum platform between April 1 and June 30 this year and compared with the same period in 2021.

“Locum pharmacy rates are a hot topic within the industry and this interest looks likely to continue, particularly given our latest analysis of rising prices and our assessment that if current market conditions persist, they will continue to increase into 2023,” said Locate a Locum founder and chief executive Jonathan Clarke.

“What is vitally important, however, is that that our study, which is based on an analysis of more than 30,000 pharmacist shifts booked on the Locate a Locum platform, provides real-time and accurate data that delivers in helping to set fair rates for the sector so that everyone – employers and locums – can benefit.”

Its latest Rates Study for Employers shows that in the year to end-June 2022, locum pharmacists across the UK were paid around £37.49 per hour, an increase of £4.81, or 14 percent, on the average rate paid at same period last year.

However, there remain big regional differences in terms of the average hourly rate paid and the increase applied across the UK.

In Wales, for example, the average rate paid rose by over 30 percent from £28.72 per hour to £37.93, an increase of £9.21 per hour.

In Northern Ireland, the average hourly rate increased by £5.52 to an overall £27.47, while in Scotland locum pharmacists were paid an average of £48.86 per hour, an increase of £3.97 on the previous year.

Locate a Locum’s Jonathan Clarke acknowledges that the rapid and sometimes volatile movement in rates in recent years had presented challenges for the industry: “What is vitally important is reliable information and as the industry’s leading locum booking platform, we are pleased to provide regular comprehensive data and analysis which shows exactly what is happening in the marketplace in a trusted, transparent way and which is useful for everyone operating within the pharmacy sector at any point in time.”

Across all UK cities, locums in Inverness, Scotland were paid the highest rate at £54.11 per hour while those in Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland were paid the least at £26.61 per hour. Among the average rate of £36.95 paid in England, Plymouth came out on top at £42.46 per hour while those in Leicester were paid £28.21.

Locum pharmacists in Manchester and London were paid £31.23 and £34.75 per hour, respectively.

More For You

Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less