Challenges Persist Despite Increased Pay and Hiring Incentives

Drugstore chains continue to face significant staffing challenges, leading to temporary pharmacy closures and impacting their ability to serve customers effectively. Joan Cohrs, who recently missed picking up her prescription at an Indianapolis CVS, expressed empathy for healthcare workers, stating, “They definitely need a break.”

For more than a year, pharmacies have been overwhelmed by a surge in demand for vaccines, virus tests, and seasonal flu treatments, contributing to the staffing crisis. Major drugstore chains have responded by raising wages and offering signing bonuses, while also emphasizing the importance of lunch breaks and redistributing routine prescription tasks to alleviate pressure on their pharmacies.

Despite these efforts, temporary closures remain common. Richard Dang, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, noted that while there isn’t a shortage of pharmacists, many are reluctant to work in high-stress environments that lack adequate resources.

Pharmacies require pharmacists and technicians to manage a variety of responsibilities, including filling prescriptions, answering calls, administering vaccines, and now, offering additional health services. However, the added responsibilities without sufficient staffing have led to burnout, with many pharmacists leaving the field for less stressful positions.

Job postings for retail pharmacists surged by 63% from 2020 to 2021, according to the Pharmacy Workforce Center. Walgreens reported a net addition of 600 pharmacists in its latest fiscal quarter, yet staff shortages still necessitate reduced hours at some locations.

Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association, highlighted that inadequate prescription reimbursement hampers the ability to raise wages competitively. As operational costs rise, pharmacies are still compensated as they were several years ago, making it challenging to attract and retain staff.

In response to ongoing issues, Walgreens is opening processing centers to handle routine prescriptions, aiming to shift about half of the prescription volume from stores. Additionally, CVS Health is distributing data entry tasks across various locations to reduce strain on busy pharmacies.

Former Walgreens pharmacist Bled Tanoe emphasized the need for more significant changes, suggesting that pharmacists should have the authority to temporarily close counters or cancel vaccinations during peak workloads. She noted that the pressures in the current pharmacy environment can be overwhelming.

California recently enacted a law preventing chain drugstores from setting quotas on prescription fills, a move that could help alleviate some pressures on pharmacists. Experts like Stefanie Ferreri from the University of North Carolina advocate for appointment systems at pharmacies, which can lead to more manageable workloads and improved customer service.

Amid these challenges, customers are encouraged to practice patience and allow pharmacies time to refill prescriptions. Brigid Groves, an executive with the American Pharmacists Association, echoed this sentiment, urging understanding from both sides of the counter during these stressful times.