APhA remains committed to improving pharmacy workplace

Pharmacy workforce well-being and workplace conditions are some of the top issues that members want us to address. It’s been a while since I’ve written on this topic, so today I want to give you an update on what APhA has been doing toward improving our workforce issues. You may already be aware of some of our larger initiatives, such as the partnership with Mayo Clinic on the Well-being Index (WBI) for Pharmacy Personnel, Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Reporting (PWWR), and our educational programs on well-being. And I want to share some of the newer projects we’ve been working on behind the scenes—resource you might not be as familiar with, but ones we’re really passionate about.

APhA has built a team focused squarely on workforce well-being. Keith Marciniak, BSPharm, our Senior Director of Well-being and Workplace Initiatives, helps drive the initiatives that translate our commitment into action, from relaunching our career pathways program to coordinating workplace strategies with chain employers and supporting colleagues facing challenges such as substance use disorders or second victim syndrome. He works alongside staff across all APhA departments who are equally dedicated to creating a healthier, more sustainable pharmacy workforce. Using insights gathered from the WBI and PWWR, Keith and the volunteer member–led Well-being Advisory Committee guide impactful actions and real solutions for individuals and employers to implement.

Building internal expertise is critical, but we also know broader change requires new approaches. That’s why APhA’s Board of Trustees has partnered with Locumate, an Australian AI human resources firm, and the California Pharmacists Association to address pharmacy staffing challenges. Together, we launched HealthShifts, a new solution designed to bring greater transparency regarding staffing levels, service demands, and work expectations in advance. This visibility will help pharmacists make informed decisions about when they can safely and effectively take on shifts. HealthShifts is just entering the U.S. market with a job board already available, and a broader staffing solution scheduled for rollout in early 2026. While no single solution will fix the staffing crisis, we believe this partnership will be an important step toward meaningful improvement.

For pharmacists practicing on the frontlines,  change has been slow to come. Yet I’m hearing from many that you see some positive steps in the right direction. Implementation of remote fill, which for some chain drugstores approaches 40% of all the prescriptions dispensed in a pharmacy has been helpful; elimination (or at least significant reduction) of telephone interruptions; and cross-store digital support has eased workflow. However, there continue to be barriers to implementation of these technologies at the State Board of Pharmacy level, despite long-standing evidence that use of these technologies can improve patient safety. These barriers must be addressed, and APhA is working hard to do so.

Headwinds are strong against change with rapid pharmacy closures, especially in the wake of Rite Aid’s departure and its effects on communities. There is no question pharmacy teams are reeling from unmanageable workloads across the entire profession. Independents are also reporting that the impact of pharmacy closures is pushing their capacity to an unsustainable point. It is difficult for pharmacies to be prepared for the rapid staffing needs created by mass closures, and in many communities the workforce simply isn’t large enough to meet demand. Some stores have seen prescription volumes double or even triple without comparable staffing increases. APhA has advocated with state boards of pharmacy and governors to temporarily suspend licensure requirements so pharmacists and technicians from other states can assist until longer-term solutions are in place.

At the same time, APhA is calling upon state boards of pharmacy and pharmacy chains to put patient safety first. The current high volume dispensing model is simply not conducive to pharmacists fulfilling their professional obligation to assist patients in identifying and resolving drug-related issues, creating a moral injury across the profession. The system must do better. APhA continues to explore and advocate for other potential solutions such as adoption of a standard of care regulatory model and expanding the role of the technician.

APhA continues to advocate for sustainable prescription drug reimbursements that allow for sufficient staffing, along with separate payment under the medical benefit for the critical patient care services pharmacists provide. Together with our sister associations, we are urging Congress and the Trump Administration to recognize that the true value of a local pharmacist lies in the care they provide, and that we need to adequately compensate them for their vital time spent with patients.

Some may feel this isn’t enough—You are right. This is a big problem. We all need to do more to solve it. You should know that your Association is committed to solving this issue. I see the weight you carry, and I want you to know your voice is heard, your work matters, and your well-being will remain at the center of everything we do moving forward.

For every pharmacist. For all of pharmacy.