Pharmacist Walkouts: How did we get here?
The pharmacy profession is at a pivotal crossroads, where decisions made today will have far-reaching consequences. To comprehend this juncture, let's briefly journey through its history.
From the early 1900s, when Walgreens and CVS began their ascent, to the emergence of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in 1968, the pharmacy profession has witnessed significant shifts. Rapid expansion of these giants, coupled with the increase of pharmacy schools, reshaped the profession. However, PBMs, acting as middlemen, brought a decline in pharmacy reimbursements and rising patient drug costs.
Pharmacists responded by taking on additional roles, including immunization. Yet, growing workloads, technology integration, and deteriorating work environments led to patient safety concerns. The pandemic exacerbated these issues, driving many pharmacists to retire early or leave the field.
In late 2021, tragic incidents prompted social media campaigns and whispers of unionization. In February 2022, CVS began closing pharmacies of lunches in response to these campaigns. Today, the profession faces shortages and a significant decline in pharmacy school applications.
But in September 2023, a bold move unfolded in Kansas City, where nearly two dozen pharmacists staged a walkout, demanding safer conditions. CVS took temporary action. Now, a larger walkout is planned for October 30th to November 1st, with the potential to sway shareholders and spark change.
We stand at a crucial juncture. The choices made today can shape the future of pharmacy. To dive deeper into these pharmacy walkouts, listen to the full podcast episode.
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Resources:
5 Common Mistakes New Pharmacists Make (and how to avoid them): https://www.happypharmlife.com/mistakes
What are PBMs? https://www.ncpa.co/pdf/PBM-Storybook-12pg.pdf
The history of pharmacists as vaccinators: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/featurefocusvaccinations-0110
Pharmacy school admissions data 2021-2022: https://connect.aacp.org/discussion/pharmcas-applicant-data-for-2021-2022
Pharmacist hours: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/12/15/pharmacies-trimming-hours-and-stores-what-means-patients/10855274002/
#shewaited and #pizzaisnotworking: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bled-tanoe-pharmd-12215b108_pizzaisnotworking-shewaited-activity-6868628116173074432-fuuO/
Burnout and understaffing survey results: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacists-report-high-levels-of-burnout-resulting-in-understaffing-and-alternative-career-paths
Pharmacists strike working conditions: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cvs-pharmacy-strike-2023-working-conditions/
GoFundMe for technician pay: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rux92-national-pharmacist-and-technician-union?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
Form to report your pharmacy as safely staffed: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecJSgOOw9V_fX8LAR2Vi_E1BjGLmh4Cn1pGbE7E5pJZ1sd3g/viewform
CVS shares drop 2.2% after pharmacist walkouts: https://www.investopedia.com/cvs-apologizes-ahead-of-threat-of-a-pharmacist-walkout-at-kansas-city-locations-7975651
