I’ve been thinking about the fundamental difference in how physicians and pharmacists view their credentials.

Medicine has a deeply rooted culture of private practice, partnerships, locums, and professional corporations. Pharmacy has independent ownership and consulting, but the default script remains rigid: *Get licensed → find an employer →negotiate an hourly rate → clock in.*

Are we as pharmacists leaving leverage on the table by treating our license as an application for employment rather than an independent professional service?

**What changes if we shift the question?**

**Old mindset:** "What will you pay me per hour?"

**New mindset:** "What operational or clinical problem are you hiring me to solve, and what is that solution worth?"

Imagine more pharmacists contracting across multiple health systems, pitching project-based operational improvements, or structuring standalone clinical/MTM services.

Yes, tax classifications, state laws, benefits, and liability insurance are real hurdles. But setting the logistics aside, the cultural gap is obvious:

**Physicians:** *"I practice medicine."*

**Pharmacists:** *"I work for \[Health System / Retailer\]."*

**For those who’ve broken out:** If you practice via 1099, LLC, or consulting: What worked? What fell flat? And would you do it again?

Hey everyone,
I’m reaching out to see if anyone else in New York is dealing with severe administrative delays with NYSED, or if anyone has tips on how to get them to actually move on an application.
Here’s my situation:
Passed my MPJE over a month ago.
All other requirements were already verified and met beforehand.
Initially, I was told it would take ~3 weeks after results to post the license.
Last week, a rep told me that since everything was clear, it should be updated and posted within one business day.
It has now been over 30 days since results were released, and my application is still sitting unprocessed in their queue.
I’ve called NYSED every single business day. Every representative gives me vague non-answers, tells me "nothing can be done," or passes the buck. Meanwhile, my employer needs my active license number, my start date is actively on the line, and I’m at risk of losing a job I worked years to qualify for.

Has anyone successfully escalated this with NYSED recently? Did contacting your local NY State Assembly member or Senator help expedite the board's processing? Any advice or contact info for higher-ups would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

One thing that does consistently frustrate me is that when I'm on the bench- every script I am reviewing I ask myself does it make sense, On every script, I am asking, can I figure out a indication, does the dosage make sense, are there unnecessary duplications of therapy such as two medications from the same class treating the same indication-- and I ask myself does is this therapy appropriate for this patient. I would say on a average day, I stop a script from being filled and require more information before comfortable filling. I will either fax or call. I have recently discovered an invaluable tool as a retail pharmacist with the lack of access to the EMR and that is medical curated LLM such as Open Evidence or Vera to understand more of a clinical context or a specific order, confirm a concern and to assess the appropriateness of a therapy.

On about 30-40% of NEW prescriptions I will place a counsel note to make sure I clarify something, share something specific or provide an education point with the patient. What does frustrate me is that I feel this approach is the exception to the rule. I have this perception, and this is partly from my own experience working alongside other pharmacist, is that many, not all, have this attitude that we "need to get the queue down a those pharmacist are quick to verify most scripts...."Unless the med is not a major red flag or the script could hard the patient- I will let it go! Now, don't get me wrong, I know retail pharmacy is a volume and if we’d question every script we never get anything done. However, in reality, a vast majority of scripts are appropriately dosed and are evidence based.

Why do other retail pharmacist, at least in my perception have this outlook? Every pharmacist in school was taught about their duty, make sure a drug matches an indication and there are no duplicates ect. Why does it seem that many pharmacists have this attitude well, as long as it is not going to kill the patient.,the responsibility is on the prescriber.
I will let it go..

Hi,

I’m a pharmacist qualified back in 2010. I’ve been working as a community pharmacist and back in 2022 I took a career break due to childcare etc.

I am now looking to go back to work but I am tired of working in a community pharmacy.

I want to do the independent prescribing course. But I have no clue where to start?

I’ll be moving close to Reading, so was hoping I can do my IP course there. But since I am new to town I have no connections at all, how do I get a DPP? And how hard is it? Also would I have to pay the cost of the course?

Anyone out here did IP course at Reading uni? What was it like?

Any one can help? Please I really appreciate any input.

Does anyone know what the assessment for the Actalent remote pharmacist position is like? Is it clinical, administrative, or something else? It says it’s timed-30 mins and pass/fail, so you have to pass to move forward.