Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Pharmacist Roles – 2025

Preparing for a pharmacist job interview? This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers that will help you showcase your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and experience working in a pharmacy setting. Whether you’re applying for a role as a retail pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, or clinical pharmacist, these questions cover all key areas of the job.

General Questions

• 1. Tell me about yourself and why you chose to become a pharmacist.
  As a pharmacist, I am passionate about helping people by providing them with medication and healthcare advice. I was drawn to this profession because it combines my interest in science with my desire to make a positive impact on people's lives.
• 2. What inspired you to apply for this particular pharmacy position?
  I am excited about the opportunity to work in a fast-paced retail setting where I can use my knowledge to efficiently dispense medication and provide excellent customer service. I am also interested in the advanced technology and services offered at this pharmacy, such as medication therapy management and immunizations.
• 3. How do you stay current with new drugs and their side effects?
  As a pharmacist, I understand the importance of staying up-to-date with new drugs and their side effects. I regularly attend continuing education courses and read pharmaceutical journals to stay informed. I also rely on reliable online resources and consult with my colleagues to ensure I am providing the most accurate and current information to my patients.
• 4. How would you handle a customer who is upset about a medication issue?
  I would listen to their concerns, empathize with their situation, and take immediate action to find a solution. I would offer to review their medication profile and suggest alternative options. If necessary, I would contact the physician for further guidance and address any issues with the pharmacy team to prevent future occurrences.
• 5. How do you handle a high-stress situation?
  In a high-stress situation, I strive to remain calm, assess the situation quickly, and prioritize tasks. I believe effective communication is essential in these situations, so I would communicate with my team and delegate tasks as needed. I also use my problem-solving skills to find solutions and take care of the most critical tasks first.

Behavioral Questions

• 6. Can you tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer with their medication needs?
  In my previous role as a hospital pharmacist, I received a prescription for a patient who was allergic to a medication typically used to treat their condition. I researched alternative options and consulted with the patient's physician to find a suitable alternative. The patient was grateful for my efforts and was able to receive the treatment they needed, which significantly improved their health.
• 7. How have you handled a difficult interaction with a team member?
  In a previous role, I had a disagreement with a colleague regarding a patient's medication therapy. We discussed our perspectives, and I was able to compromise while still ensuring the patient's best interests were met. We were able to find a solution together and continued to work effectively as a team.
• 8. Can you give an example of a time when you had to make an ethical decision on the job?
  As a pharmacist, ethical decision-making is a crucial part of my role. I once had a patient who presented a prescription with incorrect dosing instructions from their physician. I spoke with the patient and their physician to clarify the dosing, and upon confirming it was not a clerical error, I refused to dispense the medication due to safety concerns.
• 9. Describe a situation where you had to problem-solve a complex medication issue.
  While working at a retail pharmacy, I received a prescription that was missing crucial information. I contacted the physician and worked with them to obtain the necessary information and ensure the patient received the correct medication and dosage. I also took extra steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future by creating a checklist for prescription verification.
• 10. How do you handle a situation where a patient disagrees with your professional opinion?
  I would listen to their concerns and try to understand their perspective. I would then provide evidence-based information to support my recommendation and engage the patient in the decision-making process. If needed, I would consult with a colleague or the physician for further input.

Situational Questions

• 11. Imagine you received a medication order with an incorrect dosage. How would you handle this situation?
  I would notify the prescribing physician immediately to confirm the correct dosage and obtain a new prescription. I would also contact the patient, explain the situation, and offer to hold the incorrect prescription until the correct one is received. I would document the incident for record-keeping and quality assurance purposes.
• 12. How would you handle a situation where a medication was recalled?
  In the event of a medication recall, my first step would be to check the inventory and remove the affected medication from the shelves. I would then contact the manufacturer to gather more information and determine if any patients have received the recalled medication. I would also inform the pharmacy team and work together to contact affected patients and provide them with alternatives or information on how to return the medication.
• 13. If you witnessed a colleague making a medication error, what would you do?
  Patient safety is my top priority, so I would intervene immediately to prevent harm. I would calmly approach my colleague and offer assistance to correct the error. I would also document the incident and inform our supervisor to ensure proper steps are taken to prevent similar errors in the future.
• 14. How do you prioritize your tasks when you have multiple patients and tasks to complete?
  In a busy pharmacy setting, I prioritize tasks based on the level of urgency and importance. I communicate with my team to ensure all tasks are delegated efficiently. I also make a to-do list and regularly review it to ensure I am completing essential tasks first. If necessary, I will ask for assistance or delegate tasks to other team members to ensure all tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• 15. How would you handle a situation where a patient is not satisfied with the medication they received?
  If a patient is not satisfied with their medication, I would listen to their concerns and try to understand the reason for their dissatisfaction. I would offer to review their medication profile and suggest alternatives. If necessary, I would consult with the physician and address any issues with the pharmacy team to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Technical Questions

• 16. What is the difference between a brand-name and generic drug?
  A brand-name drug is a medication that is developed, produced, and sold by a pharmaceutical company under a specific brand name. A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug and contains the same active ingredients, but it is typically less expensive and is sold under its chemical name.
• 17. How do you ensure proper handling and storage of medication?
  To ensure proper handling and storage of medication, I follow all professional guidelines and adhere to pharmacy regulations. This includes proper labeling, temperature monitoring, and secure storage. I also regularly check expiration dates and dispense medications according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• 18. Describe the process of filling a prescription.
  The process of filling a prescription typically involves receiving a written, electronic, or verbal prescription, verifying it for accuracy, and ensuring it is covered by the patient's insurance. Then, I will dispense the medication, label it with the appropriate instructions, and provide counseling to the patient. Finally, I will document the dispensing and file the prescription for record-keeping.
• 19. How do you handle a situation where you are missing a specific medication or dosage strength?
  In this situation, I would first check the inventory to confirm the shortage. If possible, I would contact other pharmacies to see if they have the medication in stock. If not, I would consult with the physician to find a suitable alternative. I would also inform the patient and offer to transfer the prescription to another pharmacy if needed.
• 20. How do you handle a situation where a patient is requesting a medication without a prescription?
  As a pharmacist, I am legally and ethically obligated to dispense medications only with a valid prescription. I would politely inform the patient that I cannot dispense the medication without a prescription. I would also explain the importance of obtaining a prescription from a qualified medical professional and offer to assist them in finding a suitable provider if needed.