How to Become a Locum Pharmacist in the UK

Locum pharmacy work offers flexibility, variety, and often higher day-to-day earnings than permanent roles. But making the switch — or starting out as a locum — requires preparation. Here's everything you need to know.

Step 1: GPhC Registration

To practise as a pharmacist in the UK you must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). If you're already working as a pharmacist your registration is current — just ensure it's up to date and you've completed your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

If you qualified abroad, you'll need to complete the GPhC's Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) before registering.

Step 2: Get Indemnity Insurance

As a locum you're responsible for your own professional indemnity insurance. This is non-negotiable — no pharmacy will allow you to work without it.

The two main providers are:

Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA) — the most widely used, offers locum-specific cover
MDDUS — commonly used by pharmacists working in GP and primary care settings

Annual premiums typically range from £400–£800 depending on your scope of practice. Factor this into your rate-setting.

Step 3: Decide How to Find Work

There are three main ways to find locum shifts:

Locum agencies — agencies like Globe Locums, CPL, RIG Healthcare and Sanctuary connect you with shifts from community chains and NHS trusts. They handle invoicing and some admin, but take a margin.

Direct booking — building relationships with pharmacy managers and contacting pharmacies directly. Takes longer to set up but you cut out the agency and keep more of your rate.

Online platforms and job boards — Pharmacy Job Board lists locum roles from both agencies and direct employers in one place.

Most experienced locums use a combination of all three.

Step 4: Set Your Rate

Research what other locums in your area are charging before setting a rate. As a starting point:

Community locum: £20–£30 per hour
NHS bank/agency: £25–£40 per hour
Specialist clinical: £35–£50+

Don't undercut the market — it drives down rates for everyone and undervalues your expertise. Factor in your insurance, accountancy fees, lack of holiday pay, and any travel costs.

Step 5: Sort Your Finances

As a locum you'll likely be self-employed (sole trader) or operating through a limited company. Key things to set up:

Register as self-employed with HMRC (or set up a limited company — an accountant can advise which is better for your income level)
Open a separate business bank account to keep income and expenses separate
Save for your tax bill — set aside roughly 25–30% of income for tax and National Insurance
Hire an accountant familiar with pharmacy locum work — costs around £500–£1,000/year and pays for itself

Step 6: Build Your Reputation

Reliability is everything in locum work. Turn up on time, adapt quickly to different dispensary systems, and leave the pharmacy in good order. Pharmacy managers talk to each other — a strong reputation leads to repeat bookings and referrals.

Keep a record of:

Which dispensary systems you've used (PharmacyManager, Nexphase, RxWeb, Analyst, Cegedim etc.)
Any services you're trained to provide (NMS, MURs, blood pressure checks, travel vaccines)
References from managers you've worked with

Common Questions

Do I need my own smartcard? Yes — an NHS smartcard is required for NHS locum work. Your Responsible Officer (RO) and local NHS organisation can help with this.

How much notice do pharmacies give? It varies — some bookings are same-day emergency cover, others are planned weeks ahead. Emergency cover pays better but is harder to plan around.

Can I locum while in a permanent job? Yes, as long as your permanent contract doesn't restrict it. Check any exclusivity or conflict-of-interest clauses. Many pharmacists locum at weekends alongside permanent roles.

Looking for locum shifts? Browse locum pharmacist jobs across the UK.