Is a pharmacist as qualified as a doctor?

[Tootiredmummyof3]

Really stupid question I know and I assume they're not but I don't know. DD1 was told by GP to go to the pharmacy for an ear infection (despite the hospital consultant saying you must be seen by a GP as soon as you have a problem). They referred her back to the GP saying the infection was too severe.
DS likely has an ear or throat infection (non verbal so not sure which) and again get referred to the pharmacy. I don't mind but what actually are they qualified for to do? If they are being used so much will GPs no longer be needed.
Just for the record because I'm sure someone will ask yes I did speak to the receptionist and tell them DD needs to be seen by a GP and the discussion became a bit heated but was still refused a doctor appointment.
Anyway just wondering if they are as qualified as a doctor in which case why have a doctor? Or if they have x amount of medical training but it's different?

That's not the case. Pharmacies do a lot of non NHS work. Look at any online pharmacy and you will see that they are prescribing a lot of items privately nowadays.

Again, agree with what you are saying, the point I was trying to make is, the OPs original post was about using a pharmacist as an alternative to a GP for an ear infection, I was merely trying to say that, under the NHS provision for pharmacists prescribing as an alternative to a GP, it’s for the seven conditions stipulated and that is when you would be directed to a pharmacist by for example 111as such most people would use that on a NHS basis, you’d hardly go to an online pharmacy to check for an ear infection