Scarce Posts For Scarce Skills?!

Isn't it upsetting that so many scarce skilled jobs are equally scarce to come by? While populations sit on degrees, diplomas and certificates at home or resort to doing other forms of work from their actual qualifications, this situation is increasingly absurd and has to change.

But How???

Algorithms are not so hard to figure out and put together. Surely if we can forecast the number of posts for a particular profession every year, (government should have that information) then we could match up the number of available posts to those skilled & seeking them, and at least saturate the market to a reasonable point.

Another idea could be to provide incentives  for individuals to create private posts for these types of skills; or rather yet import post-creating internationals and multinationals to increase skilled jobs and get the quota right.

Perhaps these skills shouldn't be termed scarce if demand doesn't exceed the need. Institutions that provide them should maybe redirect students before they register and warn them of the scarcity of jobs in that field afterward? If that can deter some students and redirect them into more "job abundant" fields then employment rates could grow.

One way or another the problem is there and has to be solved. Pharmacy (pharmacists) in South Africa is an example of one of those scarce skilled fields. However, we all know nothing is ever simple in practice as it is in theory!

Have you experienced this problem? How would you solve this problem?

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Pharmacist Salaries in South Africa!

According to a recent 2018 review done on pharmaceutical jobs from the Indeed recruitment and the pay scale websites,  pharmacists in South Africa earn anywhere from an entry level approximate of R20 000 a month to an experienced million Rands a year!

So why does this four year bachelor degree fluctuate so much in remuneration?
Well it depends on the sector and the years experience that one has. In the private sector, international pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer Inc, are well able to pay even international rates hence an RA (regulatory affairs) pharmacist with at least 5 years experience can earn up to R100 000 monthly salary!

You may need to top up your degree with a post graduate course at some point along the way when you figure out which path you want to follow, but adding a managerial or business degree can give you the edge you require. Pharmacovigilence and quality assurance/ control related course also seem to be in demand.

Source: pay scale 2018 pharmacist in SA.


An intern earning R20 000 may choose to pursue a masters degree in business administration or entrepreneurship with the hope of developing a company in the future and work for themselves. However if regular (retail, hospital) employment in either the public or private sector is the aim, this route may not be necessary. Rather people skills & mamagenent or public health / and drug utilization courses are better suited and more profitable.

PhDs are very challenging and can equally become highly profitable if carefully thought through. It's mainly achieved by those willing to stay in academia or research or again those aiming for self-determining business or international careers. In academia, a senior lecturer or professor with a PhD may earn R45-R55 000 a month depending on The specific institution and experience.

The average pharmacist (64% female and 36% male) however earns about R34 000, and depending on the city or town they live in, this will also vary slightly.

There is much to gain in this wonderful profession, and career satisfaction is inevitable provided you love what you do while making strategic decisions.

Happy pharming!


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What is Pharmacy? Who is a Pharmacist?

Over the years most professions change and pharmacy is no exception.

It is still represented by a mortar and pestle as that once was the major function of crushing and mixing leaves, seeds, and various strange things. But today the profession has stretched out far and wide...

The age of scientific evidence has demystified and surely transformed the perceptions of this noble career. Pharmacists are not wizards who compound nauseating concoctions for you to mystically cure you anymore. Now they are (for the most part) highly scientific, professionally trained drug dealers!

The South African Pharmaceutical Council, responsible body for controlling and  registering all pharmacies and their personnel;  states that pharmacy is the science of dealing with collection, preparation, standardization, dispensing and storage of drugs.
Did you know that pharmacy has over 8 specialty fields ?
From laboratory, research, academia, retail, hospital/clinical, industrial/production, to regulatory/ quality control, warehousing/distribution, consultant/specialist, and a few others! There are a lot of options to explore throughout ones career as a pharmacist! With all these sub sectors come just as many diversified services they offer!

Think of it this way, when you're sick, a general practitioner could diagnose you with a condition X. But if it weren't for all those pharmacists who research the medicine in the labs, those who manufacture the medicine in industry, those who package it and make sure it is safe, and the one who hands it over at the counter or in the hospital wards; you couldn't get treatment!

If you know a pharmacist in your friends or family circles, ask them what they do at work! You may be surprised.

Never think again of Pharmacy only as a shop where you can buy medicine. That's only the last carriage on the pharmacy-types train!


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