The Pharmaceutical Journal challenged pharmacists to write 500 words on what they thought the future held for their profession and you did not disappoint.
The entries varied hugely, from think pieces scoping a new direction for the profession, to chilling dystopias in which pharmacy, and even medicines, no longer exist. We were delighted to receive so many high-quality entries from pharmacists, and those in training, and hope you enjoy reading our selection of the best ones.
'Future Pharmacist' writing competition finalists
Shortlisted entries:
- 2039: Pharmacy after the fall — Mark Borthwick (overall winner)
- Pouring a stiff drink for the last pharmacist — Stuart Anderson
- Medicines at a touch of a button — Parastou Donyai and James Hall
- Why we must say goodbye to ‘clinical’ pharmacists — Nahim Khan
- Lost in medicine: Mrs Brown’s story — Michele Rowland Jones
- Scorched Earth: after the medicines disappeared — Kartik Dravid
- Give pharmacists the freedom to build the future, now — Margret Naluyima (winner of prereg/student prize)
Best of the rest:
- A pharmacist calls — Gavin Birchall
- The most valued health professional in 2048 — Steve Williams
- Ex Pharmacia: dispensing goes human-free — Ewan Maule
- No more white coats: pharmacists emerge from behind the counter — Samuel Taylor
- Pharmacy’s future is unknown, but I’m still optimistic — Trevor Lowe