Degree course is just the tonic
PHARMACY enrolments at James Cook University have more than doubled this year — with hopes the new students will eventually ease the city’s pharmacist shortage.
Fifty new students have enrolled in the course, bringing the total number of students studying the four- year degree to 165.
Pharmacists are in demand across Queensland, especially in rural or remote areas. JCU head of pharmacy Associate Professor Michelle Bellingan said students had no trouble finding work, with the current shortage prompting some pharmacies to use recruitment consultants to find staff.
“There is a shortage of pharmacists in North Queensland, especially in rural areas. It has traditionally been difficult to attract people to those areas,” she said.
“Our students can work anywhere in the country, but many are keen to work in regional Queensland.”
The course has attracted students from the south- east, far north Queensland and Mackay. Students will complete 603 hours of placement during the course, with some of the hours having to be completed in regional, rural and remote areas.
Riverside Gardens Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Michael Jensen said he believed low award rates were part of the problem behind the pharmacist shortage.
“When you find out you can get paid more working the night shift at McDonald’s, a lot of people don’t want to do it, and they are retraining or getting out,” he said.
“Townsville seems to be unique where the university is pumping out pharmacists but most go back to their own regional home towns.”
Fourth- year pharmacy honours student Gemma Latter said she chose to do pharmacy because there were plenty of jobs available and she could work anywhere.
“It’s really versatile. You can go anywhere and you can do community pharmacy or go to a hospital, and you can even go overseas,” she said.
“I think the shortage is in really small places that are rural or remote where they can’t seem to hold pharmacists down.”