
Clinical Pharmacist vs Pharmacist
What is the difference between a pharmacist and a clinical pharmacist?
The pharmaceutical industry's goal is to improve patient healthcare. It's divided into sectors with driven core focuses to fulfill this goal. Two of these sectors are pharmacy and clinical pharmacy. Each branch is essential for improved patient outcomes. However, the career paths differ considerably, offering unique and exciting opportunities. This guide explores these differences so you can map out a career that's right for you. Interestingly, the number of pharmacists in the UK has steadily increased by an average net of 20 thousand since 2010, and approximately 20% of general practices in England require the services of clinical pharmacists. These statistics prove the divisions share at least one common feature: both in demand.
But let's continue with the differences.
Clinical pharmacy is a specialty field within pharmacy
It often takes longer to become a clinical pharmacist than a traditional pharmacist. However, patience and hard work are rewarded with an exciting specialist career that progresses beyond the fundamental dispensing and order-processing of drugs and devices. Clinical pharmacist roles include working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide patients with a comprehensive approach to treatment and medication. This means you get to form part of an elite network of medical practitioners who are driven to share knowledge and collectively improve patient outcomes.
Clinical pharmacists can change the future of medicine
Each field has different job responsibilities
Both pharmacists' and clinical pharmacists' jobs are patient-orientated. But the daily responsibilities are different. Let's break them down.
The essential job responsibilities of a general pharmacist include the following:
- Completing paperwork
- Monitoring and maintaining inventory
- Ensuring medicine is safely stored and dispersed
- Ensuring patients receive the correct dosage of medication
- Providing the correct drug information to staff and patients
- Preparing and compounding prescription medications
On the other hand, the essential responsibilities of a clinical pharmacist include working closely with scientists, doctors, and patients to:
- Evaluate untreated health issues of patients
- Study clinical trials and perform medical tests
- Monitor real-time health conditions of patients
- Analyse clinical data and establish suitable therapies
- Ensure patients receive the right medications and dosage instructions
- Advise patients about possible drugs or therapies that may work
- Track the health progress of patients
Branch out with clinical pharmacist jobs today
Are you looking for a clinical pharmacist role? Allow IQVIA to help you navigate the path and expand into an exciting new career.
With over 61,000 colleagues in over 100 countries and decades of experience in the health and sciences industry, IQVIA is exceptionally well-equipped to help you find a pharmaceutical job. Our team is prepared to answer all your questions and set you on the right track. Start searching for clinical pharmacist jobs now, or sign up for job alerts to be the first to hear about exciting opportunities.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a clinical pharmacist and a traditional pharmacist?
A clinical pharmacist goes beyond the traditional responsibilities of a pharmacist, extending their role beyond dispensing and order processing. They possess the qualifications to optimize medication choices, establish appropriate doses, and supervise fellow pharmacists.
What does a clinical pharmacist do?
Clinical pharmacists evaluate the patient's health condition and assess whether the prescribed medications effectively meet the patient's needs and care goals. They also analyze the appropriateness and effectiveness of the medications prescribed.
Do you need a Ph.D. to be a clinical pharmacist?
To practice as a pharmacist, individuals must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, a four-year qualification. Additionally, they must successfully pass two licensing exams.
Find out more about life at IQVIA
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Related jobs
We are sorry but your search has returned no results.
Please try some of the links below to find what you are looking for:
IQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
A quick note to say thank you for your time this morning discussing my future career options. As you know I was feeling very conflicted about the right decision. Discussing the role with you gave me chance to clarify what is important to me.
Since joining IQVIA I have had unrivalled support and development from my manager to enable me to aspire to move into secondary care. I feel like my career is strongly supported by my manager in order to maximise my potential.
Just following on from the amazing news I got yesterday I wanted to say a really special thank you for all the help and support you have provided throughout the entire recruitment process.
Once again I cannot thank you enough for not only approaching me with this opportunity but also for all the support you’ve given me along the way!
Just following on from the amazing news I got yesterday I wanted to say a really special thank you for all the help and support you have provided throughout the entire recruitment process.
IQVIA Related insights

Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
24/10/2024
Summary
We caught up with Diana Heres, a Service Development Executive at IQVIA Interface, on her career development journey with us so far. Diana shares her journey to help answer questions such as “How do
by
Ruth Lynn

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
08/10/2024
Summary
Recently, we interviewed Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager at IQVIA for her insight into how to decide a career change. Corinne shared her own journey and valuable advice with us to help answer
by
Corinne Scott

Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
04/10/2024
Summary
Virtual Sales has a growing presence in the healthcare and medical solutions industry, especially since the pandemic. Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other side

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
27/09/2024
Summary
Kickstarting or switching your career is only made easier by having solid technical skills under your belt. Technical skills are expertise and specialised knowledge that you enhance throughout your c
by
Ruth Lynn

Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
18/09/2024
Summary
If you’re a recent or soon-to-be graduate of biomedical science, and have realised that a laboratory-based career may not be the right direction for you, you may be wondering what other career opti
by
Tracey Smith

Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
17/09/2024
Summary
Stepping into any role in the healthcare sector comes with its challenges, and being a successful medical sales representative is no exception. Whether you’re an experienced sales rep and feel confi
by
Ruth Lynn
.png)
Teaser
Medical Affairs & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
13/08/2024
Summary
Medical Affairs is a fast-paced sector and the work is so varied that no two days will look the same. Medical affairs professionals working in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device in

Teaser
Medical Affairs & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
31/07/2024
Summary
At IQVIA, we recruit for various roles within the MedTech sphere and we’re always looking for professionals keen to move healthcare forward. In this article, we’ll outline the market for MedTech so
by
Tracey Smith

Teaser
MedicalContent Type
ArticlePublished
30/07/2024
Summary
In IQVIA, we support customers in their mission to get drugs to patients. As such, we recognise the value of keeping track of the latest market trends, developments, and insights. Modern healthcare
by
Catherine Scott

Teaser
Clinical OperationsContent Type
ArticlePublished
23/07/2024
Summary
Clinical pharmacology, a specialised branch of biomedical science, holds a pivotal role in developing vital drugs and ensuring their effective use in patients. Clinical pharmacologists bridge the ga
by
Ruth Lynn

Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
23/07/2024
Summary
Oncologists focus on diagnosing and treating cancer while overseeing treatment and managing post-treatment care. The oncology drugs market worldwide is expected to reach a market volume of $268bn by
by
Ruth Lynn

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
17/07/2024
Summary
Market access is all about preparing a drug for market entry, and as such it’s a vitally important part of the drug development process and wider pharmaceutical industry. While for pharmaceutical an
Recently viewed jobs