By: Justin Fein
Pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals in our communities – trusted advisors, vaccination providers, and the last safeguard before medications reach patients. But behind the scenes, many are facing a mounting crisis of workload, resources, and mental health.
A recent investigative piece brought national attention to the conditions in certain large retail pharmacy chains, where pharmacists and technicians report being overrun with responsibilities while receiving inadequate support from management.
From the outside, the daily operations of a pharmacy might seem straightforward: filling prescriptions, advising patients, and giving vaccinations. In reality, pharmacists are juggling a staggering range of responsibilities – sometimes all at once. In the accounts shared, pharmacists described simultaneously filling narcotic prescriptions, verifying drug interactions, answering phones (expected to respond within 30 minutes), assisting patients at the counter, serving drive-thru customers, and administering vaccines.
Even with a nationwide mandate for a 30-minute midday closure of the pharmacy, many said this break is used not for rest, but for “chugging an Ensure or protein drink” and catching up on an overwhelming prescription queue.
One story highlights the dangerous stakes: in 2021, pharmacist Ashley Anderson collapsed on the floor of a CVS after ignoring the signs of a heart attack because she didn’t want to fall behind on her work.
These pressures aren’t just exhausting — they can be deadly. In one Pennsylvania location, two different pharmacists took their own lives. While no one is pointing to workplace conditions as the sole cause of these tragedies, the incident underscores the heavy burden that pharmacists can carry.
Data backs up these concerns. In 2024, The Pharmaceutical Journal found that 70% of community pharmacists reported being “moderately” or “very” stressed at work. Many fear speaking out due to corporate communication policies and the possibility of retaliation, leaving their struggles unheard until after they’ve left the company.
Former CVS pharmacist Dr. Katie Forbes shared the chaos of her own experience: being told her prescription queues weren’t moving fast enough while 13 people stood in front of her, a drive-thru line built up outside, and the phone ringing constantly. The challenge, she said, wasn’t just the workload — it was the criticism for taking even a single lunch break in a day.
While these stories have centered on one major pharmacy chain, the reality is that workplace pressures are a widespread issue in the pharmacy profession. Many pharmacists, regardless of employer, are navigating the same overwhelming demands, insufficient staffing, and fear of speaking out.
We believe it’s time for an open conversation about workload, resources, and mental health in pharmacy.
If you are a healthcare worker that is interested in participating in our paid research studies, please register here.
