Association Perspective
Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, APhA executive vice president and CEO
We started 2021 with hope. We finally had vaccines and pharmacy was perfectly positioned to save the world. Unfortunately, hopes of quickly vaccinating out of the pandemic were dashed by vaccine hesitancy and rapidly mutating variants.
Now pharmacists and pharmacy teams are stressed. Data from the APhA’s Well-being Index for Pharmacy Personnel Tool (pharmacist.com/wellbeing), social media posts, and movements like #pizzaisnotworking show understaffing at many pharmacies negatively affects the well-being of our frontline pharmacy heroes, driving away good talent and putting patients at risk.
Burnout is particularly challenging. What seemed to be an oversupply of pharmacists in 2019 became a shortage as the demand for—and expectations placed on—pharmacists significantly increased. In addition to previous services, pharmacists now perform COVID-19, flu, and routine vaccinations as well as many testing and treatment services. Ever-changing vaccine recommendations have increased public need. Adding these important tasks can become overwhelming. This frustration compounds when labor demands and pharmacy revenue increase, but there is no corresponding increase in staffing levels.
Labor issues aren’t limited to pharmacists; there’s also a pharmacy technician shortage. Historically, pharmacy technicians do not make a livable wage, and they can work in less stressful environments. Some pharmacies have intermittently closed or reduced hours, sometimes without notifying patients.
It’s time to make patient care services in pharmacy practices appointment-based. Pharmacists need dedicated patient-care time, adequate support staff, and other resources to effectively deliver care. Organizations must provide uninterrupted, compensated time for catch-up/preparation and dedicated meal breaks. These are just some suggestions received by APhA and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations.
But all is not lost. We are at the forefront in meeting patient needs, and this has changed public and policymaker perceptions. In 2022, we’re working to get provider status in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial health plans. This will change how pharmacies and pharmacists work, de-emphasizing speed and volume in favor of service, patience, and care.
To that end, here are APhA’s intentions for 2022:
1. Keep PREP Act authorities allowing us to conduct COVID-19 testing, vaccinate all populations, administer antivirals, and optimize technology and technician roles.
2. Expand these authorities to strep, influenza, and RSV.
3. End PBM abuses.
4. Obtain federal provider status.
5. Promote APhA’s well-being tools and services.
6. Invite employers to engage with us.
The way pharmacy teams are valued and utilized must change. Together, we can make this happen in 2022! ■