Where have all the Pharmacists Gone?
Have you been to your local chain pharmacy recently and found them closed early, closing permanently, or have shorter hours than they did pre-pandemic? There is a reason for it. Retail pharmacy like many other industries were changed by Covid. The changes weren’t for the better.
Like all other industries pharmacies are having trouble hiring, especially reliable, help. A good technician is worth their weight in gold. However, most chains aren’t willing to pay what the tech is worth. Many having starting pay the same or lower than other entry level departments in the same store. One chain that I worked for paid Bakery employees $2 more per hour starting. Needless to say I had a couple techs think about changing departments. Others were simply angry that their pay was so low. The added stress working in a busy pharmacy isn’t worth the same pay as they can get working fast food so they don’t apply or quit quickly.
The retail pharmacists work load also dramatically increased. Testing for flu/covid now runs year round and vaccinations followed suit. Pharmacist overlap was decreased and so was the budget to hire/employ technicians. All of these factors add to the amount of work placed on a few people.
Unfortunately the pay rate for pharmacists didn’t increase. Before moving companies I got a $1/hour pay increase. Sure it sounds like a lot but if you look at it compared to an average pharmacist salary is 1.6% which doesn’t keep up with inflation. At my last company I got a 50 cent/hour pay raise and my manager bonus was less than my pharmacist bonus I received at my previous employer. Needless to say it wasn’t worth the stress and aggravation.
More pharmacists see the drawbacks of chain pharmacy everyday and are jumping ship just like I did. Currently I’m the pharmacy manager of a small specialty pharmacy. I took a small pay cut but I’m home every evening and weekend and no longer work in my dreams. It was so worth it.
Please remember the next time you go to your pharmacy to treat the employees nicely. They are doing the best they can. They are overworked and under paid. They give up nights, weekends, and even holidays with family to fill your prescription.
R. Tran Books 