Community pharmacies facing drug, staff shortages

A new survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association indicates that many independent community pharmacies are experiencing ongoing drug shortages and difficulty filling open staff positions.

percent overall report having a difficult time filling open staff positions, a slight decrease from previous surveys.

“Independent pharmacy owners typically have more flexibility than chain pharmacies when it comes to personnel,” said NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey. “They can offer more flexible hours and more attractive working conditions, for example. But unlike small businesses in other industries, they can’t easily raise prices to cover rising costs because PBMs and big insurance companies dictate prescription drug pricing. Unfortunately, these ongoing pressures with the supply chain, PBMs, and our economy continue to make it a challenging time for the very pharmacies who, for so many patients, are the most accessible health care option.”

The NCPA survey was conducted from Jan. 23 to 30, 2023. It was sent to approximately 8,000 independent pharmacy owners and managers, with approximately 330 responding.