Class Notes

A dual career in pharmacy and healthcare law

Thorrun Govind (MSc Pharmacy, 2015)

Pharmacist, healthcare lawyer and Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, Thorrun Govind (MSc Pharmacy, 2015) reflects on the events during her time at King’s that helped launch her dual career and offers advice to students taking the same path.

‘I was determined to study for my degree at King’s College London and when I first got involved in pharmacy, I realised that the profession didn’t really shout about what it does. While I was studying, I met the editor of Chemist + Druggist magazine and started writing pieces for them. My tip from this is, if you are interested in something then ask to get involved; the worst that can happen is you get told no!

‘In 2018, I was elected to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s English Pharmacy Board and I was re-elected in 2021. As the youngest elected board member, my age was highlighted to me by various people. I am now proud to be the Chair of the board, so please don’t let age stop you from applying or making progress with your goals.

‘My role as a practising pharmacist involves ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines. We support patients with medical and lifestyle advice. We also work with other healthcare professionals to care for our patients.

‘I’ve been able to represent the profession in the media, including on BBC Newsnight, BBC Victoria Derbyshire, BBC News, Sky News and Radio 1. Such opportunities have arisen due to my persistence and my appreciation that it is important to network outside the profession too. I find that King’s alumni pop up everywhere!

‘In 2017, I studied for a Graduate Diploma in Law full-time while working in community pharmacy. In 2019, I finished my full-time MSc LPC in Law, Business and Management course, again balancing this with pharmacy and media work. I had been a member of the Law for Non-Law Society at King’s, but even I hadn’t envisaged this path when I graduated from King’s. My favourite memory was listening to Cherie Blair CBE KC speaking at a Law for Non-Law event at the Strand. I was always in awe at the Strand Campus when I visited (I was based at Waterloo). I wrote about the talk for a pharmacy trade journal at the time!

‘The legal aspects of my role as a pharmacist have always interested me, and now I am privileged to support healthcare professionals in a legal capacity. My role as a healthcare lawyer involves representing individuals and organisations at inquests, drafting advice, and assisting individuals in regulatory proceedings.’