Guidelines and selection criteria are currently being finalised, and the first round of funding is expected to be announced in November 1999. Rural pharmacists experience high levels of satisfaction from the diverse range of work they perform and are respected members of rural communities. The purchase price of rural pharmacies is usually less than that of metropolitan pharmacies, and lower overheads result in a greater return on investment. The rural lifestyle offers many benefits, including being able to live only a few minutes away from work. The relaxed lifestyle in a rural community provides an attractive opportunity to practice pharmacy as part of a close-knit regional health team.
Rural practice is as varied as rural communities.
You may wish to work in a large rural city, a small rural town, or a remote centre. Some pharmacists choose to live in a large regional centre and commute to their workplace in a nearby small town. Programs are in place to assist rural pharmacists to access CPE and professional development opportunities.