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Image of career: Pharmacist

Pharmacist

Overview

Pharmacists ensure patients receive the right medications, and may also research and develop new drugs.

Description

  • Conduct clinical trials and tests to evaluate drug characteristics.
  • Provide drugs based on prescriptions and ensure they're safe to take.
  • Advise patients on self-medication options and potential side effects.
  • Track and maintain the pharmacy’s stock of drugs.
  • Manage and coordinate the work of pharmacy technicians, assistants, and training pharmacists.

Entry requirements

  • You’ll need a Degree in Pharmacy from Singapore and at least 12 months of experience in a pharmacy, or an overseas pharmacy qualification recognised by the Singapore Pharmacy Council. You may also join the NUHS Allied Health job shadowing programme.

Salary

$4,300 – 5,500

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

During postgraduate studies, pharmacists may specialise in different areas, like medicine for cancer treatment.

What to expect

Always prioritise patient safety by double-checking prescriptions and being careful about the different drugs reacting with each other.

Soft
skills

Attention to Detail
Able to maintain high safety standards and avoid dispensing mistakes.
Communication
Able to communicate clearly with patients about medication usage and administration.
Problem-Solving
Ability to solve issues like concerns about medication or prescription errors.
Medical Dispensing
Skilled in accurately and safely dispensing medications.
Practical Mathematics Skills
Strong math skills to calculate exact medication amounts and dosages.
Handling Fine Equipment
Ability to use measuring devices to prepare and dispense medications.

Hard
skills

Yi San, Pharmacist
"It takes time and effort to be a Pharmacist but it's a job that makes a difference to others' lives."
Yi San, Pharmacist

National Youth Council

Frequently asked questions

Pharmacists don’t just work at drugstores. They also work at pharmaceutical companies or in research labs.

Research pharmacists work in laboratory settings, while community pharmacists will be interacting with and giving medicine to patients.

Technologies like Computerised Provider Order Entry and electronic prescribing have streamlined the process of ordering medicine, improving overall work efficiency.

Even after graduating, you have to stay updated with new medications so you can provide accurate information to patients.

They attend courses, seminars, and conferences to learn about any updates to research, technologies, or drugs.