Ready to Superintend?
Moving onto the Permanent Register opens a new opportunity. But before you accept a superintending role, understand the responsibility that comes with putting your professional name behind a pharmacy.
Superintending is more than putting your name on a licence.
The Superintendent Pharmacist carries professional and regulatory responsibilities relating to the keeping, preparing, dispensing and supply of medicinal products.
What does a Superintendent Pharmacist actually do?
The Pharmacy Council guidelines identify several areas in which the Superintendent Pharmacist carries professional responsibility.
Medicine Selection & Supply
Be actively involved in the selection of medicines for purchasing and their supply to patients, customers and other healthcare providers.
Records
Ensure that pharmacy records are duly and properly kept.
Extemporaneous Preparations
Prepare or supervise the preparation of extemporaneous preparations.
Staff Development
Keep yourself and pharmacy staff updated on new trends in disease management and other professional issues.
Medicine Quality
Ensure shelves and stocks are free from deteriorated, expired, banned, fake and substandard medicines.
Professional Environment
Ensure a clean, decent and attractive professional environment.
Professional Conduct
Uphold moral and professional conduct that will not bring the profession of pharmacy into disrepute.
Staff & Premises
Ensure the premises is duly registered and staff have adequate training to provide the required services.
Quality of Service
Ensure that the service provided is efficient and meets the needs of the community served.
Your professional judgement matters.
The Pharmacy Council guidelines state that a pharmacist must be free to exercise professional judgement when carrying out their duties. The employer must recognise the pharmacist's professional responsibility.
Questions you should ask the pharmacy owner.
A superintending opportunity should be understood before it is accepted.
About the pharmacy
- Is the pharmacy properly licensed?
- What type of pharmacy is it?
- Where is it located?
- What are the operating hours?
- How many staff are employed?
- Who handles procurement and stock management?
- What systems are in place for records?
About your role
- What exactly will I be responsible for?
- Will I be involved in medicine selection?
- Will I have professional decision-making authority?
- What are the expectations regarding pharmacist supervision?
- What support will the proprietor provide?
About the contract
- Is there a written contract?
- What are the working hours?
- What is the remuneration?
- Are transport or other allowances provided?
- What are the leave arrangements?
- What happens if either party ends the arrangement?
Ask yourself
- Am I comfortable putting my professional name behind this pharmacy?
- Can I exercise my professional judgement here?
- Do I understand what I am taking responsibility for?
- Are the expectations clear?
Things every Superintendent should know.
Before accepting a superintending appointment, understand the regulatory responsibilities attached to the role.
Annual pharmacy renewal +
The Pharmacy Council guideline states that the pharmacy certificate of registration shall be renewed every year, before 31st January of the ensuing year.
The Superintendent Pharmacist shall complete the pharmacy renewal form of the Pharmacy Council every year. This serves as renewal of their commitment as Superintendent Pharmacist.
The renewal form shall be accompanied by a current written contract agreement between the Superintendent Pharmacist and the employer, where applicable.
Changing Superintendent Pharmacists +
Where a change occurs in the Superintendent Pharmacist of a pharmacy, the Pharmacy Council shall be notified of the new Superintendent Pharmacist.
The guideline requires the prescribed variation process and supporting documentation.
This includes a resignation letter from the previous Superintendent Pharmacist or notice of termination of appointment, together with a written contract between the pharmacy and the proposed Superintendent Pharmacist.
Regulatory issues that can attract sanctions +
The Pharmacy Council guideline identifies a number of offences that may attract regulatory sanctions after due investigation.
- Continuous absence of pharmacists from the premises when the pharmacy is open to the public.
- Display and supply of expired, unregistered, fake and substandard medicines.
- Supply of medicines from unregistered premises.
- Improper record keeping on the procurement and supply of restricted drugs or pharmaceuticals.
- Operating under insanitary conditions.
- Non-renewal of the pharmacy licence.
- Unethical or unprofessional practices.
- Any act or omission specified by the Pharmacy Council as constituting a breach of standards.
What happens to your professional name? +
The Pharmacy Council guideline states that the pharmacy certificate of registration shall include the name and registration number of the Superintendent Pharmacist.
Once business commences, the name of the pharmacist on duty, together with the certificate of registration of the premises, must be conspicuously displayed in the facility during business hours.
This is why choosing the right pharmacy and understanding the responsibilities attached to the appointment matters.
Remuneration matters too.
The 2026 PSGH recommended remuneration document provides recommended minimum remuneration for pharmacists working in community pharmacy practice.
Tier 1 Community Pharmacy
Recommended basic gross salary depending on years of experience for community pharmacies with daily sales of GH₵6,600 and above.
Tier 2 Community Pharmacy
Recommended basic gross salary depending on years of experience for community pharmacies with daily sales below GH₵6,600.
New Pharmacy Consultancy
PSGH recommends a minimum non-refundable consultancy service fee for the Superintendent Pharmacist's work in preparing and submitting the application and assisting the proprietor before the pharmacy opens.
Remember
These figures are PSGH recommendations. Your actual remuneration and conditions of service should be discussed with the employer and documented appropriately.
Before you say YES, check these.
A quick personal check before accepting an opportunity.
Ready for your next opportunity?
Pharmacrib connects pharmacists with pharmacy owners looking for professionals to superintend their pharmacies. Don't just accept the first offer. Understand the opportunity and find the right fit.
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