We are in the midst of the winter season and every retail pharmacist knows that this is the busiest time of the year. Colds and flu have doubled our scrip volumes while corporate has reduced staff hours. How can they expect us to provide good customer service when they fail to provide enough help to serve the customer? It's impossible to be in 3 places at once. At one point during my last shift, I had a patient waiting for a flu shot; 2 cars in drive-thru, 3 people at pickup and a couple of folks waiting for their scrips. Which one do you serve first? Morevoer, I am regularly spending an hour or more past my shift to catch up. The order from the previous day is sitting untouched and the floor has not been vacuumed in days. Also, I'm discovering errors made by the previous pharmacist which, undoubtedly, stem from rushing or being overwhelmed.
Enough is enough. This is beyond ridiculous. We are not dealing with candy, but with medications that could potentially cause harm, if filled incorrectly. Something has got to give. Pharmacist need to band together and fight for better working conditions. This is a serious situation. Our employers are placing us in a dangerous position, which threatens the patient's health and safety. Many of us are so concerned or focused on getting the scrips out that we are not as diligent as we should be when verifying prescriptions.We overlook drug interactions, duplications in therapy and inappropriate doses. We forgo counseling and our duty to warn--all because we don't have enough time or help. The public trusts us and we owe it to them to put their health first.
Yes, we make a good salary, but is it worth harming a patient or risking your license? It's time to stand up and fight for what's right. Speak up and demand better working conditions. Let corporate know that we are not going to take it anymore. I know. You are laughing right now because this is easier said than done. Historically, pharmacists just accept what corporate dishes. We have sold our souls for a six figure income. So we just grimace and bear it.
Since we will more than likely continue the status quo, here are a few tips to help you make it through: take a break when you are feeling overwhelmed; go to the bathroom; eat lunch and take a seat from time to time. It's okay. The pharmacy will not fall apart if you walk away for 15 to 30 minutes and you may be a little more pleasant and a lot more alert. Be encouraged. Peace.
“The public trusts us and we owe it to them to put their health first.” Very well said. More consideration from the people involved in the administration and payroll should be given to the pharmacists who are doing their job. With pharmacists, such as with any medical professional, any mistake can be fatal. This is why pharmacists need to take care to be meticulous doing their work despite the pressure, just to make sure that medicine is handled accordingly.
ReplyDeleteDabrico, Inc.
May I ask where you are from? I work in Ontario and you couldn't have said it any better! Infact you have just described a day in my life..or should I say days!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we as pharmacist never speak up, just grumble and carry on. I wish we had more courage, I wish I had anyways.