The Right Chamber E26 – Hospital Pharmacy Explained

In this episode, hosts Victor and Jasprit sit down with Ruckie Kahlon to explore hospital pharmacy. Ruckie shares her 25-year journey with the Trust, from pre-registration pharmacist to Chief Pharmacist and Medicines Optimisation lead. She explains how pharmacy within the hospital underpins every patient pathway, from prescribing decisions to administration and monitoring of medicines. Moreover, she outlines her statutory responsibilities, directly delegated from the Chief Executive, for safe, effective medicines use across The Dudley Group. The conversation reveals the structure of the pharmacy directorate, with about 200 staff in 11 specialist teams. For example, Ruckie breaks down the roles of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, assistants and apprentices, and how they collaborate daily. She highlights how pharmacists increasingly prescribe independently, while pharmacy technicians take on broader clinical duties at the bedside. Meanwhile, digital systems are reshaping practice, from electronic prescribing to robots that pick, store and dispense medicines with precision. These tools reduce errors, speed up supply and free staff to focus on complex, patient-facing clinical work. Additionally, Ruckie describes the challenge of medicine shortages and the careful planning needed to protect patient safety. Her teams track supply, secure alternatives, and work closely with clinicians to maintain continuity of essential treatments. On controlled drugs, she explains her role as Accountable Officer and the safeguards that prevent diversion and misuse. Robust policies, audits and ward-level checks ensure every dose is recorded, reviewed and used for genuine patient need. Furthermore, the episode celebrates the close relationships between pharmacists, doctors and nurses on wards and in clinics. Listeners hear how ward pharmacists join rounds, solve prescribing problems and support junior doctors with real-time advice. As a result, pharmacy becomes visible not just as a dispenser, but as a vital clinical partner in care. If you work in healthcare or simply care about patient safety, this conversation is essential listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, share, and subscribe for more real stories from inside the NHS. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to us on YouTube for more content and updates and to be notified of new episodes.