Guides

Guides for UK locum pharmacists

Practical answers on pay, tax, and invoicing — the stuff that's actually useful when you're locuming.

Pay & Rates
How Much Should a Locum Pharmacist Charge Per Hour in the UK?
What UK locum pharmacists actually earn per hour, how rates vary by area and workload, and how to tell if an offer is fair before you accept it.
Tax & Mileage
HMRC Mileage Allowance for Locum Pharmacists (2026/27 Rate)
The current HMRC mileage rate, how the two-tier rate works after 10,000 miles, and how claiming it actually differs between PAYE/umbrella, limited company, and sole trader.
Invoicing
Locum Pharmacist Invoice Template: What to Include & How to Invoice a Pharmacy
Everything a locum pharmacist invoice needs to get paid on time, what a good template looks like, and how to chase a pharmacy that's late paying you.
Getting Started
How to Become a Locum Pharmacist in the UK
GPhC registration, indemnity insurance, and the practical decisions — self-employed or agency, how to find your first shifts — before your first day locuming.
On Shift
PMR Systems in UK Pharmacies Explained (EMIS, Titan, ProScript Connect & More)
The patient medication record systems you'll actually run into on a locum shift, what's different between them, and how to get up to speed fast in an unfamiliar pharmacy.
Tax & Mileage
Self-Employed vs PAYE/Umbrella: How Locum Pharmacists Get Paid
Sole trader, agency PAYE, umbrella company, or limited company — how each actually works, the trade-offs, and where IR35 fits in.