Apotheker/Apothekerin

Information resources from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Federal Employment Agency) include the film 'Pharmazie (Staatsexamen)'. Further information resources are 'AH Apotheke heute', 'Apotheken in Deutschland - Berufsbilder', 'apotheken-karriere.de', 'Apothekenwirtschaftsbericht 2024', 'Arzneimittel & Recht (A&R)', 'DAZ Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung', 'MMP Medizinische Monatsschrift für Pharmazeuten', 'PharmaBarometer - Zeitschrift für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit', 'Pharmakon', 'Pharma Recht (PharmR)', 'pharmind - die pharmazeutische industrie', and 'PZ Pharmazeutische Zeitung'.

Protective vaccinations are being administered in pharmacies. According to the Infection Protection Act, pharmacists are permitted to carry out certain vaccinations, particularly flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. A prerequisite for this is training covering topics such as vaccination counseling, anamnesis, emergency measures, and correct vaccination documentation. Vaccinations in pharmacies aim to relieve the burden on doctors. Pharmacists should stay informed about developments in this area. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data are increasingly used in drug development. Big Data and AI help researchers develop therapies and new medications faster. With minimal laboratory work, the most effective active ingredient combinations can be identified or diseases can be read from health data. They are also expected to enable more accurate predictions about the effects of different therapies on the course of the disease. Experts are hopeful about these developments.

To be successful in this profession, an interest in theoretical-abstract activities is important. For example, applying chemical and pharmaceutical principles for the production of pharmaceutical products, analyzing and resolving quality fluctuations or production errors, and conducting analytical-methodical investigations of chemical products or their components fall into this category. Furthermore, an interest in commercial-organizational activities is required. For instance, assigning, leading, and professionally guiding employees to ensure the quality and efficiency of work processes, and providing sales-oriented advice to customers in a pharmacy to secure one's market position, are examples of such activities.

Pharmacists primarily work in sales rooms, laboratories, and office and storage rooms.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university studies) include: Pharmacy Management Systems, Drug Development, Drug Information, Drug Testing, Development, Nutritional Counseling, Research, Galenics, International Pharmaceutical Standards (e.g., GLP, GMP), Customer Consulting and Support, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology, Assortment Design, Toxicology, and Sales. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession are: Approbation (licensure as a pharmacist), Pharmaceutical Law, Business Management, Biochemistry, Creating Professional Publications, Health Prevention, Expert and Consultant Activities, Manufacturing and Control Management (AMG), Clinical Research, Clinical Trials (Drugs), Teaching Activities (University), Marketing, Microbiology, Patent and Trademark Law, Care Provision (Pharmacist Further Training), Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacy Waste, Product Management, Quality Management, Regulatory Affairs (Drug Approval), and Certificate of Competence for Drug Manufacturing (§ 15 AMG).

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For pharmacists, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Pharmacy Management Systems (e.g., evaluating collected data on inventory, orders, and customer inquiries and using the results to improve pharmacy offerings), Automated Inventory Control (e.g., determining the need for medical products within material management in hospital pharmacies), Document Management Systems - DMS (e.g., digitally documenting, managing, and retrieving prescriptions), E-Invoicing (e.g., sending invoices for medications via accounting software), Vaccination Management Platforms (e.g., placing orders for seasonal vaccination campaigns via vaccination management platforms), Hospital Information Systems - KIS (e.g., recording, processing, and managing medical and administrative data with hospital information systems).

Pharmacists are responsible for the health of their customers when dispensing and manufacturing medicines. Accuracy and diligence are essential for dosing and dispensing medications, as well as for activities in pharmaceutical analytics or pharmaceutical technology. Laboratory work requires precision, exact observation, and high concentration. When evaluating chemical-technical analyses, pharmacists proceed systematically, methodically, and precisely, carefully documenting experimental results. They interact with customers in a friendly and empathetic manner, building a trusting relationship. They demonstrate customer and service orientation, and clear expression and communication skills in consultations. Pharmacists who run their own pharmacy operate according to economic principles. In science, research, and development, teams are often internationally composed.

Pharmacists can work freelance, for example, in the following areas: in a public pharmacy, in a private pharmaceutical institute, in a pharmaceutical production company.

Example gross basic monthly salary (tariff-based): €4,166 to €4,922. Source: Tariff collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs. Note: This information is for orientation purposes only. No claims can be derived from it.

Retail trade (retail trade with pharmaceutical products, pharmacies), healthcare (hospitals, e.g., hospital pharmacies, provision of services by medical laboratories), pharmacy (manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products, manufacture of pharmaceutical specialties and other pharmaceutical products), chemistry (manufacture of pesticides, plant protection products, and disinfectants, manufacture of washing, cleaning, and polishing agents), natural, engineering, agricultural sciences, and medicine (other research and development in natural, engineering, agricultural sciences, and medicine, especially pharmacy, e.g., drug testing, bio- and genetic technology research areas), universities and colleges (e.g., pharmaceutical institutes), vocational schools in healthcare. Social services are also conceivable.

The exercise of this profession is regulated. It requires: a Studium (university degree) in Pharmacy completed with a State Examination, including a 12-month internship, and the Approbation (license) as a pharmacist or permission to practice the profession of pharmacist. Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation.

Pharmacy (State Examination)

Pharmacists primarily find employment in public pharmacies and hospital pharmacies, in the pharmaceutical industry, in chemical industry companies, in testing institutions, at universities, and in healthcare educational institutions. Furthermore, they also find employment with health insurance companies, professional organizations for pharmacists or the pharmaceutical industry, public health administration facilities, and the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).

Pharmacist. Deviating job title from the former GDR: Diplom-Pharmazeut/Diplom-Pharmazeutin (University) specializing in Experimental Pharmacology/Toxicology. Job titles in English: Pharmacist (m/f), Registered pharmaceutical chemist (m/f). Job title in French: Pharmacien/Pharmacienne.

Anyone wishing to operate a pharmacy requires permission from the competent authority. Competent persons in drug manufacturing and testing require a certificate of expertise. This also applies to veterinary medicines. Anyone working with pathogens of notifiable animal diseases requires permission from the competent authority. A certificate of expertise according to the Plant Protection Expertise Ordinance (Pflanzenschutz-Sachkundeverordnung) may be required.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Willingness to perform and commitment (e.g., willingness to actively and dedicatedly take on additional emergency and on-call duties during work bottlenecks), conscientiousness (e.g., precise and diligent dosing of ingredients for ointments, solutions, or tablets), sense of responsibility and willingness (e.g., considering health consequences when preparing and dispensing medicines), independent working style (e.g., independently producing medicinal ointments, teas, and remedies), willingness to learn (e.g., acquiring and implementing new pharmaceutical research findings), discretion (e.g., maintaining confidentiality).

Pharmacists dispense medicines in pharmacies, sell medical and care products, and advise customers and medical personnel. They also manufacture, develop, and test medicines.

ABDA Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverbände e.V., apo-karriere, Apothekenjobs, Bionity.com Karriere, Gesundheit.Jobs, hospital-jobs.ch, jobpharm.de, kliniken.de, Medische Vacaturebank, pharmajobs.com, Pharma-Zeitung.de, PZ Pharmastellen, StaffSanté.fr.

Various associations and organizations exist for pharmacists: ABDA - Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists, ADEXA - The Pharmacist's Trade Union, Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI), Federal Association of Pharmacy Students in Germany (BPhD), German Society for Pharmaceutical Medicine (DGPharMed), German Pharmaceutical Society (DPhG), Pharma Deutschland e.V., ver.di - United Services Trade Union, Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (vfa).

Pharmacists bear responsibility for individuals (e.g., manufacturing medicines, teaching and supervising students). They have customer contact (e.g., advising customers on prescription and over-the-counter medicines). They perform precise, detailed work (e.g., weighing, pulverizing, and mixing natural and chemical substances). They adhere to various regulations and legal requirements (e.g., pharmaceutical law). They engage in screen work (e.g., for accounting, purchasing, or correspondence with health insurance companies and doctors). They wear protective clothing and equipment (e.g., disposable gloves and face masks as protection against bacteria and sharp or corrosive solutions). They work in sales rooms (in pharmacies), in laboratories (e.g., conducting analyses, preparing medical ointments, teas, and medicines), in offices (e.g., for administrative tasks for a pharmacy), and in medical facilities/practices (e.g., hospital pharmacies). They may also work in teaching/training rooms (e.g., when teaching at universities or colleges).

Professional deployment opportunities are structured according to fields of activity: In-company training and further education, trainer for pharmaceutical representatives, laboratory analysis, laboratory manager, quality assurance and management (head of quality management, quality manager, head of quality assurance), process and product development (medical advisor, product developer, clinical study referent (CRA), regulatory affairs manager).

Pharmacists use medications in various dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, ointments, suppositories, and tinctures. They also work with goods like nursing articles, cosmetics, personal care products, baby food, diet products, bandages, compression stockings, and teas. Raw materials, biological and chemical substances (e.g., active and excipient ingredients, concentrated substances, powders, liquids) are also part of their work. Medical devices, laboratory equipment, and accessories include blood pressure and blood sugar monitors, (analytical) scales, apothecary scales, mortars, gas stoves, viscometers, microscopes, pipettes, and test tubes. They also utilize documents and data management systems such as medical prescriptions, pharmacopoeias, substance lists, prescription files, documentation on poison and narcotic drug stocks, laboratory protocols, order, inventory, and accounting documents, expert opinions, manufacturing regulations, legal provisions (e.g., pharmaceutical law), prescription databases, and test certificates. Office equipment includes PCs, internet access, and telephones.

Pharmacists dispense medicines and advise customers on their use. They prepare smaller quantities themselves in pharmacies, while larger quantities of medicines are produced in hospitals, where they may, for example, decide on their use as members of the Drug Commission. In the pharmaceutical industry, they develop and produce medical products or work in quality management, drug safety, or market access. Additionally, in health administration, they monitor compliance with laws and contribute to their development. At universities, they conduct research and teach.

Adaptive further training helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in pharmacy, chemistry, health consulting). Furthermore, the trend of using Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in drug development can become an important further training topic for pharmacists. The linking of online and offline worlds in retail also offers further training potential.

Advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung), specifically designed for university graduates, builds upon existing qualifications. It offers the opportunity to expand one's competence profile and enhance career prospects (e.g., through further training as a specialist pharmacist). Further university studies (Studium) open up additional career opportunities (e.g., through a Master's degree in pharmacy). A doctorate is generally required for an academic career at a university; a habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed for appointment as a university professor. A doctorate may also facilitate access to senior professional positions in the private sector, pharmaceutical research, and public administration.

Dispense and sell medicines and medical products against prescription or for self-treatment. Advise customers and medical personnel on the composition, application, and effects of medicines. Produce custom-made medicines (Rezeptur) and medicines for stock (Defektur). Train and develop specialists. Public Pharmacies: Maintain stock and manage the business economically, e.g., in ordering, storage, cost accounting. Supervise staff as a pharmacy manager. Hospital Pharmacies: Participate in the drug commission in compiling the drug list. Help plan medication for patients, conduct drug anamnesis, and ensure and improve therapy success within the framework of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. Pharmaceutical Industry: Collaborate in the industrial production of medicines, e.g., in drug testing and quality control, develop testing procedures, new active ingredients, production.

The following additional employment alternative is available for the profession of pharmacist: Field of activity Chemical and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Engineer. Commonality: Develop, test, and produce medicines and pharmaceutical active ingredients. Note: The mentioned job alternative may require a longer induction period or additional training.

What is it about? Pharmacists dispense medication in pharmacies, sell medical and care products, and advise customers and medical professionals. They also produce, develop, and test medicines. Pharmacies: In public pharmacies, pharmacists dispense prescription-only, pharmacy-only, or over-the-counter medicines. They advise their customers on the correct application and storage, as well as on the effects and interactions of medicines. They also sell, for example, cold teas, bandaging materials, diet products, cosmetics, or pregnancy tests. Some preparations – for example, ointments, solutions, or teas – they produce themselves. The range of services offered by pharmacies also includes, for example, measuring blood pressure or fitting bandages and compression stockings. In addition, pharmacists handle bookkeeping, settle accounts with health insurance companies, and maintain contact with doctors. In hospital pharmacies...

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this university degree profession. Abilities: Numerical (calculating) thinking (e.g., applying chemistry-specific mathematical methods and tools such as stoichiometry and chemometrics). Observational accuracy (e.g., recognizing connections between active ingredient concentrations and effects of medicines). Memory (e.g., memory for people, dosage, and effects of medicines). Commercial aptitude (e.g., developing marketing strategies for the pharmacy assortment; compiling a market-driven assortment; presenting goods in the sales area in a customer-friendly manner). Planning and organizational skills (e.g., managing a pharmacy; leading and guiding employees). Knowledge and Skills: Understanding of verbal expressions (e.g., understanding customers and ambiguously expressed customer concerns; understanding follow-up questions from employees).

Federal Level: Federal Pharmacists' Ordinance (Bundes-Apothekerordnung - BApO) as amended on 19.07.1989 (BGBl. I S. 1478, 1842), last amended by Article 8 Para. 3a of the Act of 27.09.2021 (BGBl. I S. 4530). Act on the Pharmacy System (Apothekengesetz - ApoG) as amended on 15.10.1980 (BGBl. I S. 1993), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 22.12.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I No. 356). Ordinance on the Operation of Pharmacies (Apothekenbetriebsordnung - ApBetrO) of 09.02.1987, as amended on 26.09.1995 (BGBl. I S. 1195), last amended by Article 8z4 of the Act of 12.12.2023 (BGBl. 2023 I No. 359). Act on the Traffic in Medicinal Products (Arzneimittelgesetz - AMG) of 12.12.2005 (BGBl. I S. 3394), last amended by Article 2 of the Act of 23.10.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I No. 324). Act on the Traffic in Veterinary Medicinal Products and for the Implementation of Union Law Provisions Concerning Veterinary Medicinal Products (Tierarzneimittelgesetz - TAMG), promulgated as Art.

The practice of this profession may involve certain physical requirements. These may not necessarily apply to every job profile or professional application. Functional arms and hands (e.g., mixing and crushing substances for drug production), unimpaired speech (e.g., advising customers on prescription and over-the-counter medications), near vision (even if corrected) (e.g., working on screen for accounting, purchasing, or correspondence with health insurance companies and doctors), hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding customer questions), and an intact sense of smell and taste (e.g., conducting smell tests) are important. This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood as a medical suitability assessment. Actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and considering possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that have similarities to the original profession. These professions offer a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find an open position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession; others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of pharmacist: For the overall activity (usually short induction): Specialist Pharmacist. For partial activities and professional deployment possibilities (with/without induction): Hospital Pharmacist, Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Regulatory Affairs Manager. Alternatives may also be found in related professions.

The activity as a pharmacist is regulated. According to the Pharmacy Act (Apothekengesetz - ApoG) and the Licensing Regulations for Pharmacists (Approbationsordnung für Apotheker - AAppO), the Approbation (professional license) is required for unrestricted activity as a pharmacist in Germany. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, professional recognition is necessary. The determination of equivalence with the German qualification is a mandatory prerequisite for granting the Approbation. Information on the recognition procedure is available on the German Federal Government's information portal for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Competent bodies include, for example, the (State) Chambers of Pharmacists.

The following health limitations could lead to problems in practicing the profession. This information does not necessarily apply to every job profile or professional application. Increasingly, there are also ways to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Restricted functionality of arms and hands (e.g., mixing and crushing substances for drug production), speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., advising customers on prescription and over-the-counter medications), uncorrectable poor near vision (e.g., working on screen for accounting, purchasing, or correspondence with health insurance companies and doctors), hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear ailments (e.g., understanding customer questions), impaired sense of smell and taste (e.g., conducting smell tests), addiction diseases (e.g., access to medications and addictive substances), metabolic diseases (e.g., kidney failure) could pose problems.

The following additional staffing alternative is available for the profession of pharmacist from an employer's perspective: In the field of chemical and pharmaceutical production, a Pharmaceutical Engineering Engineer. Commonality: Developing, testing, and producing medicines and pharmaceutical active ingredients. Note: The mentioned staffing alternative may require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases.