NASPA Responds to Kansas City Pharmacist Walkout

Richmond, VA (September 25, 2023) – The news of pharmacists leaving their jobs at CVS stores in the Kansas City metro area this weekend is a snapshot of a much bigger, long-time concern that has plagued pharmacies across the United States. COVID brought to light the poor workplace conditions that many pharmacists and pharmacy staff faced long before COVID.

Patient safety is at the forefront of every pharmacist and pharmacy staff member as they care for their patients each day. And in order to provide medications, vaccinations, patient counseling, and the other services that patients need and pharmacists provide, it is imperative that the workplace conditions, which include appropriate staffing, be in place. The latest Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Report highlights that inadequate staffing, unreasonable metrics, and harassment continue to plague pharmacists and pharmacy staff. NASPA and our 50 state pharmacy association members across the United States are advocating for safe working conditions that permit pharmacists and pharmacy staff to focus on patients. The health care industry has been stressed and stretched during COVID. There is no excuse for any healthcare entity to continually ignore the poor working conditions facing pharmacy and our other health care colleagues.

Pharmacists want to provide the best medicine and best care they can to their patients. Patient safety is at the core of the pharmacy profession but is compromised without adequate support. The pharmacy staff in Kansas City said “enough” and walked away. NASPA stands in support of the pharmacists and pharmacy staff who put patient safety and their own safety as a priority. And we applaud the pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy staff across the U.S. that prioritize patient safety and safe workplace environments that lead to the provision of excellent health care and pharmacy services.

—

About NASPA

NASPA, founded in 1927 as the National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives, is dedicated to enhancing the success of state pharmacy associations in their efforts to advance the profession of pharmacy. NASPA’s membership is comprised of state pharmacy associations and over 70 other stakeholder organizations. NASPA promotes leadership, sharing, learning, and policy exchange among its members and pharmacy leaders nationwide.

About PWWR

Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Report – a safe, confidential, and anonymous space for pharmacy personnel to report positive and negative workplace experiences developed by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).