What Happened to the UK Pharmacy Recruitment Market: Challenges, Changes & How We’ve Adapted

The UK pharmacy recruitment market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, experiencing a rollercoaster of changes and challenges. While the narrative of a perpetual pharmacist shortage once dominated conversations, the reality is far more nuanced. Let's jump into what's really been happening. 

The Post-COVID Shift in UK Pharmacy Recruitment: Why Pharmacists Are Choosing Stability Over Flexibility

The post-COVID era brought a significant shift in the employment landscape for pharmacists. Many locum pharmacists, who had enjoyed flexibility and often higher rates during the pandemic, opted for the stability of permanent positions. This influx of experienced candidates into the permanent market, coupled with the closure and restructuring of businesses like Lloyds Pharmacy, further increased the pool of available pharmacists. The inevitable result? Downward pressure on pharmacist salaries. The balance of power had shifted somewhat. 

The Rise of Unethical Pharmacy Recruitment: How 'Bad Actors' Are Hurting the Industry

Towards the middle/end of 2023, the pharmacy recruitment market saw a surge in new agencies in the Pharmacy sector- simply "giving it a go". While competition is healthy, this influx brought with it a wave of what can only be described as "bad recruitment." In a desperate scramble for market share, many agencies resorted to aggressive undercutting, slashing their fees to unsustainable levels. This "race to the bottom" had detrimental consequences. Lower fees inevitably meant lower workloads for recruiters to allow them to scrape in more placements leading to a decline in the quality of service. Corners were cut, candidate screening became superficial, and the focus shifted from finding the right fit to simply filling vacancies, regardless of long-term suitability. Some of the stories we’ve heard are particularly bad, with candidates being pulled out of their jobs by the same recruiter that placed them. I even had another recruiter try and impersonate me to candidates to try and get himself a foothold. Shocking. We get other recruiters calling us up pretending to be a candidate to find out who our clients are. The list goes on.   

Clients, understandably, were drawn to the allure of lower fees. However, this short-term gain often resulted in long-term pain. The value of true recruitment expertise, the time invested in understanding client needs and candidate aspirations, and the thoroughness of the recruitment process were all sacrificed at the altar of cost-cutting. The respect for established, reputable agencies began to waver, as clients, lured by low fees, often experienced the pitfalls of substandard service and began to benchmark all recruitment services at that level.  

Pharmacy Recruitment in 2025: Signs of Market Recovery and Stability

As of February 2025, we're seeing a degree of stabilisation in the market. At our agency, we made a conscious decision at the end of 2024 to double down on our core values: building strong relationships with our clients and setting clear expectations about how we operate. We prioritised quality over quantity, focusing on providing a tailored and consultative service. This approach has proven invaluable. Our clients respect our commitment to excellence, and we respect their needs. This mutual respect translates into successful placements, happy clients, and, ultimately, satisfied recruiters. 

Why Strong Pharmacy Recruitment Partnerships Lead to Better Hiring Outcomes

Businesses must recognise that recruiters are an extension of their brand. They are often the first point of contact for potential employees, representing your company on the front line. Prioritising recruiters, and answering their questions promptly and thoroughly, is essential. Ultimately, they are there to help you and your brand attract the best talent. Treating them as valued partners, rather than just service providers, will yield significant benefits in the long run. 

The Future of UK Pharmacy Recruitment: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities Ahead 

There's a sense of cautious optimism in the air. Our clients seem more positive about the future, but many hinges on government funding. The financial pressures on pharmacies are immense, particularly with the rising costs of modern-day drugs. We're hopeful that government support will increase, allowing pharmacies to thrive and continue providing essential services without bearing the full brunt of these escalating costs. 

The UK pharmacy recruitment market has learned a valuable lesson. While cost is a factor, it shouldn't be the only factor. True value lies in expertise, relationship building, and a commitment to quality. As we move forward, we believe that the market will continue to reward agencies that prioritise these principles and that a more balanced and sustainable landscape will emerge. 

If you're looking for a recruitment partner who prioritises quality, integrity, and long-term success, we’d love to hear from you. 

Get in touch with us today.