The pharmacy counter has become a place where a dose of patience can prove to be invaluable, particularly as we enter the fall season.
Despite the passing of time, the persistent issues of drug and staffing shortages continue to plague this essential sector.
As the temperature drops and the cold and flu season looms, pharmacies are bracing themselves for an influx of customers seeking remedies for their ailments.
Complicating matters further, pharmacists are now confronted with the introduction of a new vaccine, as well as the commencement of insurance coverage for COVID-19 shots.
In response to these challenges, certain drugstores have attempted to alleviate the strain by increasing their staffing levels during peak hours.
However, industry experts caution that many pharmacies, especially the larger chains, still find themselves understaffed and ill-equipped to meet the demands placed upon them.
In the current landscape, the pharmacy counter has evolved into a vital hub where the virtue of patience holds immeasurable value, particularly as we transition into the autumn season.
Despite the passage of time, the persistent predicaments of drug and staffing shortages continue to afflict this indispensable sector.
With the mercury dropping and the imminent arrival of the cold and flu season, pharmacies are bracing themselves for an upsurge in clientele seeking remedies for their ailments.
Adding complexity to an already challenging situation, pharmacists are now confronted with the introduction of a new vaccine, alongside the initiation of insurance coverage for COVID-19 shots.
In a concerted effort to alleviate the strain, certain drugstores have made endeavors to augment their staffing levels during peak hours.
However, industry experts caution that numerous pharmacies, especially the larger chains, still find themselves grappling with inadequate staff and lacking the necessary resources to effectively meet the escalating demands placed upon them.
The issue of understaffing in drugstores and its impact on the quality of patient care has become a growing concern in recent years.
With pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in high demand, drugstores have struggled to fill open positions, despite offering competitive pay and signing bonuses.
This shortage of staff is particularly evident in larger drugstore chains, where it is not uncommon to find only one pharmacist on duty per shift.
Richard Dang, an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California, highlights the difficulties faced by these companies in recruiting employees due to the lack of support and resources provided to pharmacists.
Many professionals in the field are hesitant to work for a company that fails to prioritize patient care and support its staff.
As a result, the quality of service provided by these understaffed drugstores is compromised, leaving patients feeling neglected and pharmacists feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with their work.
It is crucial for drugstore chains to address this issue and prioritize the well-being of both their employees and the patients they serve.
Customers have become increasingly aware of the potential risks associated with the growing workload of pharmacists.
One such incident occurred in Pelham, Alabama, where John Staed experienced a mix-up in his prescription at a CVS pharmacy.
The pills he received were a different color than what he was accustomed to, raising concerns about the possibility of future errors.
Staed also noted that pharmacists often appear stressed, further exacerbating the situation. In response to these concerns, CVS has acknowledged the need to address the issue and has implemented measures to alleviate the burden on their pharmacists.
However, the company’s spokesperson declined to disclose the number of additional staff members hired to tackle the increasing workload.
Similarly, Walgreens, under the leadership of former CEO Rosalind Brewer, has recognized the need for additional pharmacists and has added over 1,000 in the second quarter alone.
Nevertheless, they too are facing challenges in finding suitable candidates for these positions. As a solution, Walgreens has begun establishing processing centers across the country to lighten the prescription workload in their stores.
In late August, Brewer, who was a part of the company, revealed that the company had made the decision to limit the operating hours of approximately 1,100 of its pharmacies, accounting for roughly 12% of its locations in the United States.
This figure had decreased from 1,600 earlier in the year, although a company executive has stated that they do not anticipate returning all pharmacies to their normal operating hours by the end of the year.
It is important to note that the challenges faced by drugstores in terms of labor disputes and staffing shortages are not unique, as exemplified by the recent strike at Kaiser Permanente. However, drugstores face additional obstacles during the autumn season.
Many customers rely on drugstores for various vaccines, including those for COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia.
Moreover, federal authorities have granted approval for a new vaccine targeting the virus RSV, which is intended for individuals aged 60 and above.
CVS, in particular, promotes its ability to provide customers with over 15 different vaccines, as highlighted in a pharmacy counter brochure.
Additionally, ongoing shortages of certain medications have resulted in an increased volume of phone calls for pharmacy workers.
Jonathan Marquess, a member of the National Community Pharmacists Association board and owner of several independent pharmacies in Georgia, revealed that one of his drugstores had to handle a staggering 100 inquiries in a single day last fall regarding the antibiotics amoxicillin and the attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder treatment Adderall, which were both in short supply.
In response to the increased workload, Marquess implemented various measures to help his stores cope, such as training all employees to answer basic questions about vaccines and hiring additional staff during peak periods of customer demand.
He emphasized the importance of staff training, stating that it was crucial to ensure that all employees were equipped to handle customer inquiries effectively.
Pharmacists also urged customers to play an active role in facilitating the smooth operation of the pharmacy by being patient and understanding during times of high demand.
It is highly advisable for individuals to bring all of their insurance cards to vaccine appointments, particularly due to the new insurance coverage for the COVID-19 shots, as emphasized by Marquess.
Dang further suggests that customers should avoid scheduling their appointments immediately after pharmacies reopen from a lunch break or just before closing, as these are times when pharmacists and technicians are typically overwhelmed with their workload.
By making appointments for vaccines, pharmacy workers can gain a better understanding of their workload and allocate their resources accordingly.
Additionally, calling several days in advance for a prescription refill can also greatly assist in managing the workload, as stated by Jen Cocohoba, a pharmacy professor at the University of California San Francisco.
Cocohoba explains that having this small degree of control is beneficial, given the unpredictable nature of working in a community pharmacy.