The Pharmacist Support team joined folks from Boots, Superdrug, UKCPA, Alliance, the RPSGB Museum and the PDA amongst others for the 67^th BPSA Annual Conference in Liverpool.

“It was great to see Pharmacist Support at the Medical Exhibition” commented BPSA President James Davies. ”Students, like many other people are under huge stresses particularly in these tough financial times. The services, such as listening friends, are increasingly being used by preregistration pharmacists as they are often put under the same stresses as qualified pharmacists. The difference is that the preregs have added study and exam pressures. It was really useful for students to see that they do not need to suffer alone and that there is a great organisation, in Pharmacist Support to help them".

Armed with giveaways and questionnaires the team hit the floor at the Medical Exhibition to raise awareness of the Charity and seek out the issues affecting pharmacy students today. A lack of pre reg placements and work experience opportunities, issues around awareness among the general public on the role of the pharmacist and the pressures of this work were just some of the concerns raised by attendees. A £50 Waterstones gift certificate was up for grabs on the day - offered as an incentive for completing the questionnaire.

BPSA President James Davies was called upon to draw the winning entry – a questionnaire completed by 2^nd year Reading University pharmacy student Sarah Hackeney.

“I have never won anything like this before!” said Sarah. “I will most likely start buying books for my 3rd year of study with the gift certificate. I love buying course texts, and my shelves will prove this, as I am a certified pharmacy geek! I would like to thank Pharmacist Support for introducing themselves to me at the Conference as it’s a weight off my mind to know that if I’m ever in difficulty I will have someone to turn to for advice”