Health & Social · EFZ
Pharmacy Assistant EFZ
Advise pharmacy customers and dispense medications.
About this profession
Advise pharmacy customers and dispense medications. Over 3 years you learn this profession in a host company, at the vocational school and in inter-company courses. At the end you receive a nationally recognised Federal VET Diploma (EFZ).
Day-to-day responsibilities
- ›Advise customers, dispense medications
- ›Process and manage prescriptions
- ›Check and order medicines
- ›Perform lab work, prepare tea blends
Skills you'll need
A typical week as an apprentice
Host company
3 days/week — you learn the trade hands-on alongside experienced professionals.
Vocational school
1–2 days/week — general education plus job-specific theory.
Inter-company courses (üK)
Several blocks per year — practise core techniques together with other apprentices.
Where you'll work
Hospitals, nursing homes, home-care services (Spitex), social institutions, day-care centres.
Entry requirements
- Completed compulsory school (Sek A or B, depending on profession). Strong school report in relevant subjects helps.
- A 'Schnupperlehre' (1–5 day taster) is the best way to find out if the profession suits you.
What you earn at the end
Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) — a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors to higher VET (HF), the vocational baccalaureate (BM) and universities of applied sciences.
Apprentice wage
Typical monthly gross wage (CHF). Actual wages vary by sector and region.
Year 1
CHF 700 – 900/ Mt.
Year 2
CHF 900 – 1’200/ Mt.
Year 3
CHF 1’200 – 1’600/ Mt.
Future-readiness
Score 4/5Our take
Demand remains steady; automation impacts routine tasks, requiring adaptation to counseling and advisory roles.
Sources
Early contract endings in this field
Across Health & Social apprenticeships, roughly 16–24% of contracts are ended early, compared with about 23% nationally. Most of those apprentices continue their training elsewhere.
Further education & career
- Federal PET Diploma (e.g., Team Leader)
- Higher vocational school (e.g., Pharma Business Specialist)
- Vocational Baccalaureate + University of Applied Sciences
- Specialization (e.g., hospital pharmacy)
Learn more
Official sources and further information about this profession.