Manufacturing pharmaceuticals and checking their quality: This is the everyday life of pharmacists. The job combines manual work with modern technologies. Wearing a mask has always been a must here.
Gießen (dpa / tmn) - It depends on caution and accuracy. With this attitude, Paul Boos goes to work every day. The 20-year-old is training to be a pharmacist at Pascoe Naturmedizin in Giessen.
Under supervision, he mixes the various components of medicines or ointments, for example, to the milligram according to the recipe, controls and monitors the production facilities and checks the quality of the end products.
"You learn to take responsibility very early in your training," says Boos. Because pharmaceutical salespeople cannot afford to make mistakes. After all, the slightest inattention can negate the effect of a preparation.
Gloves and face masks have always been part of it
But care is not only the top priority when it comes to the exact weighing of the active ingredients and additives. The same applies to the packaging. "Certain hygiene standards have to be observed here," says Matthias Wilken, pharmacist at the Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) in Berlin.
In general, hygiene is a top priority in everyday pharmaceutical sales: the specialists wear gloves, hair and face masks and safety shoes when they work. The production rooms are sterile and can only be entered via a lock. So neither germs nor dust get into the production facilities.
Technician for machines
What speaks in favor of the three-and-a-half year training: "Making a drug and thus helping others makes you feel good," explains Boos. In addition, day-to-day work is very diverse, "because it combines drug science, manual work and modern technologies."
Pharmaceutical agents, for example, have to operate and keep an eye on the production facilities. "Everything is constantly documented," says the trainee. If malfunctions occur, he sometimes takes on minor maintenance work himself. The cleaning of the various machines in which not only tablets but also ointments, creams or ampoules are produced is also one of the tasks of pharmacists.
Physics, bio and chemistry are in demand
Those who want to learn the profession do not need to have a specific school leaving certificate. "Although there are no legal requirements, the majority of the trainees have a secondary school diploma," says Wilken. According to him, applicants with good grades and knowledge of math, physics, biology and chemistry have the best chances of an apprenticeship position. For prospective pharmacists must be able to calculate the correct mixture of substance mixtures or be able to assess the chemical properties of substances.
The theoretical part of the training is imparted to trainees in the vocational school. There, for example, pharmacy is on the schedule. In addition, the young people learn how quality checks work: Are the color, shape and consistency of the product correct?
Pharmaceutical clerks sort out drugs that are faulty or damaged during the inspection. The specialists not only inspect drugs, they also do small tests with them. If, for example, a powder does not dissolve in water as intended, it will not go on sale.
Around 1000 euros in the first year of training
According to the Federal Employment Agency, the training allowance depends, among other things, on the federal state. A remuneration of between around 990 and 1040 euros in the first year of training up to around 1150 to 1285 euros in the fourth year is therefore possible.
Completely trained pharmacists work in the pharmaceutical or chemical industry. According to the Federal Employment Agency, you can expect gross monthly earnings of around EUR 3,000 to EUR 3,500. The earnings depend on the company.
Study pharmacy or pharmaceutical technology after completing your training
Those who want to get ahead after completing their training can take further training to become a state-certified technician specializing in chemical engineering. Or become an industrial foreman specializing in pharmacy. "This training takes another two and a half years," says Wilken. Another option for further training can be a degree in pharmacy. Alternatively, there is a pharmaceutical technology course at universities of applied sciences.
Boos does not have to worry about future fears of a professional nature. Because drugs are always produced and needed. In addition, the experts in the pharmaceutical industry are constantly working on improvements - both with existing preparations and with the development of new products.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200821-99-255219 / 2
