An Interview with Thorrun Govind

Please could you start by telling us a bit about your career and journey so far?

I started using Twitter to promote the profession I was entering. This proved fruitful, as in 2015 it helped me land my pre-registration place in community pharmacy! I continued to use Twitter and other networking opportunities like the Pharmacy Show to network with other members of the profession. Networking opportunities outside the profession also presented and I actively sought ways to promote the profession in the media. In 2016, I received my letter to say that I had passed the registration exam. I will never forget that feeling of getting up early and refreshing the computer screen for the list of those who had successfully passed the exam. I joined the register as a pharmacist in September 2016. In 2018, two years qualified (aged 25), I was elected to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPharms) English Pharmacy Board, the youngest board member.  I now Chair the English Pharmacy Board and I am also a qualified solicitor providing healthcare advice.I currently balance practicing as a pharmacist with this role. Being able to support healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, in the legal sphere is extremely important to me. 

 

What are you most proud of?

I am proud to have been able to represent the profession on media including BBC Newsnight, BBC Victoria Derbyshire, BBC News, Sky News and Radio 1. 

 

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Find mentors who aren’t like you and learn from them! Mentoring is so important to me and it is also important to give back – mentor someone else.

 

What is something you would like others to know? For example, a piece of advice you would like to give women that are at the start of their pharmacy career?

When I first got involved in pharmacy, I realised that the profession didn’t really shout about what it does. I was determined to study for my degree at King’s College London. Whilst I was studying, I met the editor of Chemist and Druggist Magazine and started writing pieces for them. My tip from this is, if you are interested in something then ask to get involved; the worst that can happen is you get told no! 

 

 - Thorrun Govind