CVS confronts labour crisis amidst escalating challenges, as pharmacists demand reform

USA — In a bid to avert a repetition of last week’s pharmacist work stoppage that left CVS stores in the Kansas City area paralyzed, the pharmacy giant has pledged to ramp up hiring.

This move aims to alleviate the burdensome workloads that have made even a bathroom break a luxury for many pharmacy staff.

However, the road ahead is far from easy, as CVS and other U.S. drugstores grapple with escalating issues.

Over the past few years, pharmacists have shouldered a growing array of responsibilities, including the upcoming administration of this year’s crucial flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

The root of the problem, according to Ron Fitzwater, CEO of the Missouri Pharmacy Association, lies in inadequate staffing due to insufficient financial resources.

“It all relates to not enough dollars going in to hire the appropriate staff to be able to deliver the services,” he explained.

The recent work stoppage, where pharmacists from at least a dozen CVS pharmacies in Kansas City refused to work, is part of a broader trend of workers taking action to address their grievances.

Unlike the ongoing strikes in the automotive and entertainment industries, these pharmacists aren’t demanding higher wages or more vacation time; their primary plea is for more colleagues to share the workload.

CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing these concerns and maintaining high-quality patient care.

Prem Shah, Chief Pharmacy Officer at CVS, issued an apology for not addressing these concerns earlier in a memo to Kansas City-area staff, assuring them that he will remain in the city until the problems are resolved and continue to monitor the progress.

Shah also encouraged pharmacists to voice their concerns, even anonymously.

The precise reasons behind the workload concerns that triggered the Kansas City work stoppage remain unclear, as the pharmacists involved are not part of a union and haven’t publicly expressed their satisfaction with CVS’s response.

Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds, noted a nationwide shortage of pharmacy workers, leading to long work hours with limited bathroom and lunch breaks.

Additionally, the absence of strong unionization within the industry makes coordinated actions like the one in Kansas City less likely.

Stores with only one pharmacist on duty face particular challenges, as the pharmacy must close every time that pharmacist leaves the area, as a pharmacist must be present to oversee technicians’ work.

The American Pharmacists Association expressed support for the Kansas City pharmacists’ stance, highlighting the importance of prioritizing patient welfare.

CVS Health, with its extensive workforce and pharmacy network, faces challenges in an environment where drug reimbursement rates remain tight.

The company recently reduced its workforce by about 5,000 positions, though none were customer-facing roles.

Pharmacists like Bled Tanoe, who runs the “Pizza Is Not Working” social media campaign, are drawing attention to the industry’s working conditions.

The campaign’s name alludes to the pizzas often provided to overwhelmed healthcare workers to boost morale.

Tanoe commended the CVS demonstration, noting the profound dedication of pharmacists to patient care.

Amanda Applegate, from the Kansas Pharmacists Association, stressed the importance of recognizing pharmacists as healthcare professionals to ensure the safe delivery of medications to patients, emphasizing the need for the “right drug, right patient, right time, right dose.”

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