Today's Perspective
Kristin Wiisanen, PharmD, FAPhA, FCCP, Pharmacy Today editor in chief
If you could tell your prepandemic self anything, what would it be? The impacts of COVID-19 have been so unprecedented that answers could include almost anything. One thing I did not anticipate at the start of the pandemic was how big the impact would be on nearly all aspects of pharmacy.
This month’s Pharmacy Today cover story focuses on pandemic era workforce conditions that have brought many pharmacists to a crisis point. Recent analyses showing that roughly two-thirds of COVID-19 vaccine shots occur at pharmacies, so it is clear that pharmacists have made a staggering contribution to keeping patients safe. But this and other positive contributions come at a cost. A recent nationwide survey conducted by APhA and NASPA revealed a staggering 78% of respondents now report experiencing workload exhaustion, compared with just 22% prior to the pandemic. Overwhelming patient demand and staffing shortages were cited as contributing factors. Pharmacists and their teams simply can’t be spread thinner, and we are in dire need of support. Take a look at this article for information on national efforts to reform pharmacy workplace conditions, improve pharmacists’ mental health, and change regulations to reduce pharmacy staff burdens.
In this issue of Today, you’ll also find the latest on the newest asthma drug approved by FDA, how to manage opioid drug interactions, and differences between COVID-19, flu, cold, and allergy symptoms. Learn the latest on wearable technology and the impact of REMS issues on clozapine and isotretinoin access. Stay up-to-date with your CPE by reading this month’s article on dietary supplements and OTC products for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
While national reform efforts are underway, they will take time. Until workplace conditions improve, sometimes the only thing we can improve is ourselves. Remember the importance of self-care. The best solutions sound deceptively simple—sleep, eat well, exercise, ask for help when you need it. You are worth the effort. Please take care of yourselves.
Have a great Today! ■