Some National Chains Reducing Pharmacy Hours Due to Staffing Shortages

Three major drug store chains have announced their pharmacy hours will be scaled back starting in March, thanks to an ongoing pharmacist shortage.

CVS Health recently announced plans to cut hours at two-thirds of its 9,000 locations.  Walmart plans to reduce pharmacy hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at most of its 4,600 stores, and Walgreens plans to reduce its hours as well.

The National Community Pharmacists Association says a shortage of pharmacists is contributing to cutbacks not only at the large chain stores, but at community pharmacies as well.  In addition to stressful job environments due to the staffing shortage, pharmacists are also unhappy about their wage growth, which fell 5% last year after adjusting for inflation, according to information printed in The New York Times.  Shortages are leading to higher payroll costs and longer wait times for patients who are trying to get their prescriptions filled.

Some chains, such as Walgreens, are looking at the possibility of automated robots filling prescriptions in the future.