As community pharmacy continues to evolve under increasing regulatory, clinical, and commercial demands, the profession is navigating a challenging environment — particularly for those in patient facing roles. In response the Employee and Employer Pharmacist Forum (EEF) was established to offer a structured, solution focused platform for tackling key workforce issues.

The Forum arose from the 2023 Workforce Intelligence Report commissioned by the PSI – The Pharmacy Regulator. Among its six recommendations, one called for the creation of a dedicated forum to address working conditions — a recommendation now brought to life under the stewardship of the Employee Pharmacist Committee (EPC) of the IPU.

Why the Forum was created

The purpose of the EEF is clear — to generate practical recommendations that can improve the sustainability and appeal of a long career in community pharmacy. Its time-bound remit is tightly focused and consultative, providing a safe and inclusive space where pharmacists and employers can share experiences and ideas.

The Forum’s four primary goals are:

• Improving working conditions: Identifying common workplace challenges and proposing solutions;
• Standardising break policies: Exploring fair, legal and workable rest periods;
• Enhancing collaboration: Encouraging better communication and co-operation between employers and employees; and
• Supporting professional autonomy: Enabling pharmacists to apply their skills and judgement with confidence.

Who is involved?

Forum members were selected through an expression of interest process open to IPU and non IPU members alike. The selection aimed to reflect the diversity of pharmacy setting from urban chains to rural independents. Meetings are scheduled throughout 2025, with external subject matter experts invited as needed.

Importantly, the Forum is not a negotiating body and has no enforcement powers. Its role is to advise, recommend and feed insights into existing structures within the IPU and the wider healthcare system.

What has been discussed so far?

Since the first meeting in December 2024 the Forum has surfaced a wide range of practical and systemic concerns. Key themes include:

Breaks and rest periods

There is broad agreement on the need for standardised protected break times, with an emphasis on both legal compliance and patient safety. The Forum is also reviewing the potential for short pharmacy closures, drawing parallels with General Practice.

Workplace pressures

Discussions have highlighted significant concerns around staffing levels and competence, workload intensity, KPI appropriateness, infrastructure, and remuneration. Delegation skills and appropriately trained support staff and the administrative burden are also under review.

Retention and morale

The professions’ ability to retain newly qualified pharmacists remains a serious concern, with many leaving within three to four years. Contributors cited burnout, lack of career progression and limited support as key drivers.

Professional identity and autonomy

Participants have voiced the need for clearer role definitions, less over-regulation and greater trust in professional judgement.

Sector diversity

The Forum acknowledges the differing realities faced by chains and independent pharmacies and the need for tailored solutions.

Early progress and next steps

Despite being in its early stages, the Forum has already laid important groundwork:

• A code of conduct was agreed to underpin respectful and productive engagement;
• Commitment to developing five to seven actionable recommendations per topic area;
• Regulatory and legal guidance is being sought on break compliance and staffing models;
• Sector data from the Workforce Intelligence Report, Workforce Study and UCC study are being reviewed to inform evidence-based discussions; and
• Collaboration with other groups is underway to explore Lean/SMART pharmacy models and automation.

The Forum also represents collaboration in action, with participants reporting a strong willingness to collaborate, open and respectful dialogue and a shared commitment to finding practical ways forward.

Why it matters

Community pharmacy is at a crossroads. Addressing workforce sustainability is no longer a future concern — it is a current necessity. The Employer and Employee Pharmacy Forum represents a new way of working, not to replace existing structures but to complement them with focussed inclusive and practical insight.

While the Forum holds no direct power to implement change, it represents a significant step toward co-ordinated, inclusive problem-solving within the community pharmacy sector. Its success will ultimately be measured by how effectively its recommendations are adopted and translated into tangible improvements in the working lives of pharmacists.

The Forum’s report will be submitted to the EPC for consideration in September 2025.