A pain pharmacist, otherwise known as a pain management pharmacist, is a pharmacy practitioner who focuses on medication and therapy for patients with acute or chronic pain conditions. Pain pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring safe and effective use of analgesics, including opioids and other pain medications. A pain management pharmacist helps improve patient wellbeing and enhance the overall quality of pain management care.

To become a pain management pharmacist, you’ll need a range of skills, such as strong communication skills, teamwork abilities, and a honed attention to detail.

You will also the following pharmaceutical qualifications:

• Four years of full-time study (in England and Wales - five years in Scotland) to gain a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree
• One year practising full time as a trainee pharmacist 
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration, which requires each pharmacist to pass an assessment

Once you’re registered with the GPhC, you’ll be able to seek out opportunities to practise pain management pharmacy, but you’re welcome to join our Pain Community at any point throughout your training to meet fellow pharmacists and learn from leaders in the sector.

The role of pain pharmacy practitioners may vary, as these medical professionals play a core role in providing care and advice to all members of a community. The roles of a pain management pharmacist can include:

• Collaborating with healthcare professionals to manage chronic disease and extreme pain
• Providing primary support for prescription and medication queries relating to pain 
• Assisting in clinical medication reviews and providing recommendations for primary care providers
• Ensuring appropriate and timely referrals to healthcare professionals for patients with pain conditions
• Conducting reviews for prescribing practice and implementing changes based on relevant guidance
• Providing training to healthcare professionals on new findings in pain management 
• Assisting with the integration of pain management services in the community and hospital pharmacies

As the role of a pain pharmacist varies, the environment they work in can frequently change too. Members of our pain management pharmacy network work in a variety of healthcare environments, primarily within hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, and specialised pain management centres.

Join our Pain Management Pharmacy Community to learn from leading pharmacy practitioners working across all areas of pain management who help you as you further your career.