Members

The Finnish Pharmacists' Association consists of 21 member organizations – 14 regional and 7 national organizations. Furthermore, many member organizations have their own regional divisions. Through the member organizations, the Association has nearly 9,000 members.

The member organizations of the Pharmacists' Association operate independently, according to their own rules and guidelines. They organize local activities related to professional competence, the promotion of salary-related interests, and recreation.

Membership in the Pharmacists' Association is based on educational degrees. The proviisori (M. Sc./Pharmacy) degree is a university degree that can be completed in five years, and the farmaseutti (Bachelor in Pharmacy, dispenser) degree is a lower academic degree that can be completed in three years.

The Association members are assistant pharmacists, pharmacists and students of pharmacy; 80 % of the members are assistant pharmacists, nearly 10 % pharmacists with an M. Sc. degree, and some 10 % students. The industry is rather strongly dominated by women, with some 95 % of the members being female.

The Pharmacists' Association members typically work in the private pharmacy sector, the pharmaceutical industry and wholesales, in hospitals, medical centers, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, the Finnish Medicines Agency, or universities.

The level of organization in the industry is high. Nearly 70 % of employed members work in pharmacies, and some 90 % of them are members of the Pharmacists' Association. Most of the employees with a degree in the field of pharmacy, who are employed in the other industry sectors, belong to the Association.