® for over 6 years now, but May 2014 wasn’t the first time my work was published in the magazine. Back in 1982, one year after graduation, I engaged with the then president of Rite Aid in a debate about the need for continuing education (CE) in pharmacy. He contended that he didn’t see the difference between pharmacists in states that required CE versus those in states that did not. Can you believe that in 1982 we even debated the need for CE? After my first year of practice, I began to realize that keeping up with the latest clinical information wasn’t optional, but mandatory.

I recall reading that a pharmacy school dean once told the students that 50% of what they learned would be obsolete in 5 years. I share that statistic with my physician assistant students at the end of the year and they cringe. When I show my 6th year student pharmacists around the pharmacy and point out which drugs I learned about in school, they are amazed that accounts for only about 10% of what is on the shelf. One of my astute students asked, “So what did they teach you in pharmacy school?” I retorted, “They taught us how to learn!”

When I graduated in 1981 there were no angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and AIDS was part of the trade name for a wound dressing, not a disease state. Now I give pharmacy students a “laundry list” of drugs that are on our “fast mover” shelves, such as atenolol, metformin, duloxetine, fluoxetine, alendronate, atorvastatin, and simvastatin.

My son-in-law Mark lives on a mountain top in West Virginia, where cutting grass with a push mower is nearly impossible. Mark hired a landscaper named Jerry to take over grass-cutting duties. Jerry’s Facebook page has beautiful pictures of his handiwork, but what is most impressive is how Jerry posts pictures of himself sharpening his blades and maintaining his equipment for the next day’s work. When Jerry isn’t planting, seeding, cutting grass, or mulching, he spends a lot of time making himself better at his noble profession. Jerry isn’t mandated to sharpen his blades every day, but his desire to do a great job helps retain his customers. Similarly, keeping up with CE allows pharmacists to sharpen their own tools.

Mandatory CE is part of everyone’s licensing requirements; however, I do believe that in some circumstances, certain CE disciplines may not be necessary depending on one’s practice. Boards of pharmacy mandate certain CE disciplines such as opioids and HIV. In Pennsylvania, all health care professionals (and even funeral directors) are required to complete 2 hours of mandatory child abuse reporting.

Some states require suicide recognition and human trafficking courses to renew licensure. Not that I don’t see a purpose in such courses, but they certainly should not be mandated for all subspecialties of this profession. I have a mandatory 2-credit requirement for immunization because I’m an immunizing pharmacist. That makes sense.

One of my many frustrations with most free CE venues is that they seem to be drug company sponsored. You can find free programs if you want to focus on glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, the newest insulins, or monoclonal antibodies. Trying to find a CE program featuring ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, or OTC therapies at no cost is virtually impossible. 

At age 62, I’m a lifelong learner. I feel no different than I did as a 23-year-old “punk” who debated in 

® with the president of Rite Aid. I have a lot less years of practice ahead of me than I did then. However, I feel more passionately than ever about the unmet educational needs of us community pharmacists. We need to learn a lesson from Jerry the landscaper; we need to sharpen our tools every single day.

Articles

Pharmacists must recognize the importance of continued learning in the profession.

Keeping Up With Continuing Education Is a Must

In the US, health care leaders are so overwhelmed by the clinical, operational, and financial aspects of managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that they may be less focused on stopping drug diversion. But it is still happening. In many parts of the country, opioid-related overdoses are rising while health care workers on the front lines are reporting higher levels of mental health issues. Meanwhile, the supply of coronavirus treatments, within a strained economy, could increase their black market value.

Yet the biggest signs of the potential for drug diversion to skyrocket in health care environments may be within the hospitals themselves, which have been forced to quickly adapt to the COVID-19 era.

Since March, the spread of COVID- 19 has fueled a higher sense of urgency in health care centers, from the movement of nurses from one hotspot area to the next to related increases in patients with high-acuity needs. This has led to the implementation of new rules, workflows, and guidelines, to ensure that contact with high-risk individuals is minimized, personal protective equipment is appropriately rationed, and frontline workers receive the support they need. Although these operational shifts were necessary, they have exposed new vulnerabilities in care settings.

Here are 5 tactics health care leaders can employ to improve their efforts in stopping drug diversion:

Clinical leaders are already having conversations about drug diversion, but it is important to keep the issue top of mind among clinicians.Sharing news of recent incidents highlights not only the theft of COVID-19–associated supplies,but also the criminal consequences.

 If the physical layout of a health facility was modified in response to COVID-19, clinicians may need to be retrained on adapting medication management practices to a new environment. For example, Drug Enforcement Agency guidelines require that unused controlled substances must be destroyed following strict rules, so clinical supervisors may need to take extra steps to ensure compliance.

Discrepancies in data,such as patient pain scores,
may indicate the need for a diversion investigation. Case in point: In May, an Iowa nurse anesthesiologist was sentenced to 34 months in prison for tampering with vials of fentanyl in a hospital’s surgery
and birthing center. But the nurse’s drug problem was only discovered by accident when a hospital visitor caught him sleeping. Only when authorities reviewed his obstetrics patients did they learn that
1 in 4 of the nurse’s spinal anesthesia patients had received narcotics that were insufficient to reduce labor pain. Had a red flag been raised sooner, the perpetrator would have potentially been investigated more quickly.

 A dedicated drug diversion professional, used
on a part-time or full-time basis, can assess a health care facility’s current approach and solutions to mitigating drug diversion and identify gaps. Yet according to a 2020 study conducted by Porter Research and Invistics, just 41% of health care organizations have at least 1 dedicated diversion professional on site.

 Considering that only 36% of workers surveyed said they are confident in their organization’s drug diversion program, having an expert available to support efforts to improve drug diversion could be a game changer.

 In addition to having visibility into the supply chain, it is important to have visibility into other areas, including health care workers’ experience and background, adjustments in the workflow, and so on. A health care organization may want to consider using technology (eg, track and trace software) or increasing the number of audits it performs on a regular basis.

, the leading provider of inventory visibility and analytics software solutions. Prior to founding Invistics, Tom spent 10 years improving supply chains as a manufacturing manager at Alcoa and Siemens. Tom has a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Issue brief: reports of increases in opioid- and other drug-related overdose and other concerns during COVID pandemic. American Medical Association. Updated October 31, 2020. Accessed November 9, 2020. 

https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf

Spoorthy MS, Pratapa SK, Mahant S. Mental health problems faced by healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. 

 2020;51:102119. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102119

Drug disposal information. US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division. Accessed November 9, 2020. 

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/index.html

Charles City nurse anesthetist sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison for drug tampering and diversion scheme. News release. The United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Iowa. May 29, 2020. Updated June 1, 2020. Accessed November 9, 2020. 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/charles-city-nurse-anesthetist-sentenced-nearly-three-years-federal-prison-drug#:~:text=West%20was%20sentenced%20in%20Cedar,%243%2C158.18%20in%20costs%20of%20prosecution

Porter Research Study 2020: A Comprehensive Look at Drug Diversion from the View of Healthcare Executives. Porter Research. Accessed November 9, 2020. http://porterresearch.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Invistics_Diversion-Report-2020-Porter_Research.pdf

Incidents of medication theft, including theft of COVID-19 treatments, could jeopardize operations and hurt patients.

Addressing Drug Diversion Now Will Yield Dividends in 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) news may have dominated headlines for most of the year, but there were plenty of other noteworthy drug and product launches in 2020 that pharmacists were excited about.

As of late October 2020, First Databank (FDB) has added 75 new drug applications (NDAs), 223 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs), and 27 biologics license application (BLA) approval numbers to its MedKnowledge drug database. At press time, the FDA has approved 42 novel drugs, 62 first-time generics, and 45 medical devices in 2020.

Hussam Hamoush, PharmD, pharmacy manager and owner of Stonebriar Pharmacy in Frisco, Texas, called clascoterone (Winlevi; Cassiopea) cream 1% a huge breakthrough in acne treatment because it is the first medicine offering a nonantibiotic approach. The FDA approved clascoterone on August 27 and Cassiopea expects the drug to launch in early 2021.

“The [fewer] antibiotics that we use, the less chances [there are] of more drug-resistant bacteria,” Hamoush said. “This is a whole new approach in treating acne using a different mechanism of action. This will be huge for people that have had a lot of trouble with acne in the past.”

He also noted that rimegepant (Nurtec ODT; Biohaven Pharmaceuticals), which was approved on February 27, is a great drug for patients with migraine, as it only needs to be taken once to resolve migraine attacks in less than 1 hour.

“It’s a quick-dissolve tablet and with just 1 dose, it can prevent migraines for up to 48 hours,” Hamoush said.

In addition to rimegepant, lasmiditan (Reyvow; Eli Lilly and Company) and ubrogepant (Ubrelvy; Allergan
USA) have also been impactful for migraines this past year, as there have been no therapies with a novel mechanism of action for acute migraine treatment since triptans were first approved over 20 years ago. Julie Suko, PharmD, vice president of editorial content at FDB, noted that one of the most effective drugs in 2020 was naloxone, which, if administered quickly, can reverse opioid overdose effects within minutes.

“It’s available in several dose forms, but as a nasal spray can be used by untrained persons in case of accidental ingestion of opioids or suspected overdose,” she said.“While it’s not a new drug approval in 2020, the FDA announced new requirements in July to increase naloxone accessibility as an in-home antidote to tackle the opioid crisis head-on. Although different states have varying regulations, most allow naloxone to be furnished directly by the pharmacist, meaning that many more patients can gain access to this important and potentially life-saving treatment at the pharmacy counter when they are prescribed opioids.”

Another important new drug is peanut allergen powder-dnfp (Palfor- zia; Aimmune Therapeutics), which is used as oral immunotherapy to mitigate reactions, including anaphylaxis, caused by accidental peanut exposure in pediatric patients aged 4 to 17 years with confirmed peanut allergy. “This peanut allergen powder is the first drug to be approved in the United States for this indication,” Suko said. “Palforzia requires 3 phases of dosing––initial dosing, up-dosing, and maintenance––and therefore requires a commitment to frequent office visits.”

Another new drug is fostemsavir (Rukobia; ViiV Healthcare), an HIV-1 drug approved for use in combination with other antiretrovirals to treat adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection who are failing their current antiretroviral regimen due to resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.

“This oral extended-release tablet requires baseline and ongoing lab monitoring, including ongoing liver function testing,”Suko said. “It cannot be prescribed in patients with hepatitisBorC.”

Jamie Bearse, CEO and president of ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, noted that for the many men across the United States facing advanced prostate cancer, the approvals of olaparib (Lyn- parza; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals) and rucaparib (Rubraca; Clovis Oncology) signify resounding hope and new tools to help them fight for their lives.

“These drugs are the first [poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)] inhibitors approved for use in prostate cancer, allowing prostate cancer to join the ranks of other cancers tied to the BRCA gene, such as breast and ovarian cancers, in being able to benefit from precision medicine,” he said.

According to Ryan Schmidt, PharmD, the associate director of formulary services at Navitus Health Solutions, in 2020 there was a trend of approvals primarily in the specialty space. Most of these products, particularly in the oncology segment, end up being clinically meaningful for the populations they target, but those are often quite small. However, the approval of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor (Trikafta; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) for cystic fibrosis (CF), albeit at the end of 2019, has had a major impact in 2020 for most patients with CF.

“In trials, it showed not only an improvement over existing treatment options, but also efficacy in patient populations for whom treatments had not been available,” Schmidt said. “This has led to a major shift in utilization. Approximately two-thirds of our patients using CFTR-modulating treatments have already switched to Trikafta.”

Another medication that aroused interest upon approval was bempedoic acid (Nexletol; Esperion Therapeutics), designed to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

“As guidelines continue to push for lower goal levels of LDL to help prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, this potentially adds another option for treatment,” Schmidt said. “However, unlike products such as statins or PCSK-9 inhibitors, trial data regarding the impact of Nexletol on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are not yet available. When [they are] available, we can expect a higher uptake in the use of this agent.”

One of the areas that generated increased interest among health care providers in 2020 was digital therapeutics (DTx).

“DTx products deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease,” Suko said. “DTx products, typically reviewed or cleared by the FDA as software or as a medical device, are an important area to watch. Increasingly, DTx are being prescribed either to augment medication therapy or even as a companion therapy.”

Clinicians use these products in therapeutic areas such as behavioral health, as well as for chronic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and heart failure.

DTx are a way to leverage technology to collect active and passive data in between face-to-face appointments. Monitoring takes place via patient-facing apps and sometimes remotely through wearables to evaluate how a patient is doing on a specific medication.

“That feedback can tell a clinician if they need to intervene or change a treatment plan, especially as it relates to changes that may need to be made to a medication or dosage to ensure therapeutically effective therapy,” Suko said. “DTx also can monitor if patients are adhering to their medications, so a clinician can contact the patient if there’s an issue so it can be corrected.”

In the targeted immunomodulatory space, 2 products approved last year— upadacitinib (Rinvoq; AbbVie) and risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi; AbbVie)— have had a big push in 2020.

“Although both of these products are joining existing classes, the marketing efforts are definitely noticeable in the uptake with these agents,” Schmidt said.“Another agent that is starting to pick up more utilization this year, which came out in late 2019, was Rybelsus (semaglutide), the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. This unique oral formulation provides an alternative for patients who may have trouble with or dislike injections, making it a very popular option for diabetes treatment.”

As the calendar turns to 2021, pharmacists envision another year full of important drug discoveries and innovative products.

“Fueled by the need for widespread influenza and eventually COVID-19 vaccinations, [there will be] more
and more pharmacists administering vaccines, educating people on vaccines and potential [adverse] effects, tracking vaccines via CVX and MVX codes, and much more,” Suko said. “We’ll also be watching for more biosimilar product approvals, which will increase competition and potentially offer cost savings to patients.”

Schmidt indicated that there are other areas on the horizon that should see some additional treatments over the next few years, although the pandemic has definitely created some questions around when approvals may actually happen.

“Although not new medications, ...SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure could be significant and really expand product use from where it is today,” he said.“Interesting new approaches to HIV also lie ahead, including long-acting preventive medications and new mechanisms of action, which could lead to further advances in this space.

A look back at the most impressive drug approvals and product launches of the year.

Top Drug Approvals and Product Launches of 2020

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise globally, and 1 recent study revealed that the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), common biomarkers of autoimmunity, have significantly increased in the United States.

 Pharmacists can play an integral role in counseling on nutrition and lifestyle factors associated with autoimmune diseases.

Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in autoimmune diseases.

 Pharmacists can advise patients with autoimmune diseases to have their vitamin D levels checked to determine whether supplementation is needed. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight, food, and supplements. However, sunlight exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. Adults under 50 years of age should have 400 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily, whereas individuals 50 years and older should take 800 to1000IU daily.

 Generally, it is difficult to obtain adequate vitamin D through diet, so supplementation is needed.

Patients with lupus should consume a nutritious, well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of meat, poultry, and fish.

 They should avoid alfalfa sprouts, which contain
the amino acid L-canavanine, which can increase inflammation.

 Remind patients to always consult their pharmacist prior to starting any herbal supplements, as some can exacerbate autoimmune diseases. One example is echinacea, which has been reported to cause flares in patients with lupus and other autoimmune conditions.

Pharmacists can educate patients with celiac disease about following a gluten-free diet, as they should consume only foods and beverages with a gluten content less than 20 parts per million.

 Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that can damage the lining of the small intestine in patients with celiac disease. Naturally gluten-free food groups include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beans, legumes, and nuts.

 Patients with celiac disease often have vitamin deficiencies, so taking a multivitamin, along with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, is important.

Limited evidence suggests that the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet can improve symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and inflammatory bowel disease.

 The AIP is an elimination diet that focuses on avoiding foods with added sugar or other additives that cancauseinflammation.

 Foodgroups are gradually reintroduced back into the diet to determine if any reactions occur. Elimination foods generally include grains, legumes, nightshades (eg, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant), dairy, eggs, coffee, alcohol, nuts, seeds, refined or processed sugars, and oils, as well as food additives.

 More research is needed because eliminating certain food groups can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Pharmacists can play an integral role in educating patients about nutrition and lifestyle factors. 

Nutrition Counseling Tips for Patients With Autoimmune Conditions

The best practices for pill disposal are always being updated and policies vary from state to state. Opioids, in particular, are a concern and pharmacists are being called upon to educate their patients on optimal disposal practices.

Community pharmacist Elizabeth Skoy, PharmD, an associate professor at North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy in Fargo, said consumers can look for medication take-back events or drop off unused or expired medications at their local law enforcement office. Some pharmacies provide products that patients can mix with medications before disposing of them, or envelopes they can use to mail a medication to a facility for incineration. “There often is a cost to the patient for these options. There are also states that allow consumers to bring unused or expired medication to kiosks located near their local pharmacy. North Dakota allows for kiosks at the pharmacy, and tons of medication have already been collected and disposed of within the state,” Skoy told 

This issue is now at the forefront because it is estimated that more than half of individuals using prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes obtain the medications from a friend or relative.

Skoy said children or pets can access medications left in medicine cabinets or trash cans, which can cause unwanted, even life-threatening adverse effects. She noted that individuals looking to obtain medication for nonmedical purposes often check these areas, making proper disposal paramount.

Policies for opioid disposal vary by state. Community pharmacists should contact their state board of pharmacy to identify disposal options and what may be available for their particular pharmacy location. The FDA has a flush list, which includes opioids and other medications that the agency has identified as being suitable to flush as a method of disposal.

According to the FDA, the known risks from accidental exposure to these medications far outweigh any potential risk to humans or the environment that may arise by flushing them. “If someone is unable to properly dispose of unwanted medications through any of the above disposal options, and the medication is not on the FDA flush list, the last [option] is to dispose of [it] at home. To do this, you can mix the medication with cat litter, coffee grounds, or dirt and then place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag before discarding in the trash can,” said Skoy.

Lisa Schwartz, PharmD, who is the senior director of professional affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) in Alexandria, Virginia, advises pharmacists to counsel each patient to do what works best for them to keep their household safe and to explain the importance of this issue.

“By disposing of medications in a secure drop-off bin, usually at a pharmacy or law enforcement agency, or using a prepaid medication disposal mailer, you also help protect the environment, especially the lakes and rivers,” Schwartz said.

Amy Tiemeier, an associate professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis, Missouri, said the best way for a consumer to get rid of unused or expired medications would be to dispose of them in a medication drop box or at a take-back event that destroys medications in an EPA-certified incinerator. “Drop boxes can be found throughout the country and the DEA [Drug Enforcement Agency] National Prescription Drug Take Back Days use this method of destruction. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has an online search tool where consumers can search for a drop box near them,” she said.

The policies on opioid disposal have changed over the past 5 years and are likely to change again. The FDA has not always recommended medication disposal drop boxes. According to Tiemeier, the federal law allowing medication disposal boxes in pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities didn’t go into effect until October 2013. “It was at least 6 months after that before any large chains started putting drop boxes in some of their locations, and some states had laws that still didn’t permit it. With the addition of more medication drop boxes that were more widely available to the general public, the recommendation changed to using that method first if available instead of flushing,” she explained.

List of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing. FDA. Updated April 2018. Accessed November 10, 2020. 

https://www.fda.gov/media/109643/download

Jones CM, Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA. Sources of prescription opioid pain relievers by frequency of past-year nonmedical use: United States, 2008-2011. 

 2014;174(5):802-803. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.12809

Drug disposal. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Accessed November 10, 2020. 

Counsel patients on best practices for disposal of unused or expired pain medications.

Optimizing Pill Disposal Programs

® surveys pharmacists on important workplace issues—from compensation encompassing salary, wages, and raises to stress levels and overall job satisfaction.

For our 2020 survey, we received 1037 responses from pharmacists. This year undoubtedly posed new challenges for pharmacy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and our findings underscore the effects.

As far as compensation goes, pharmacists are still largely making close to what they made in previous years. Salary versus hourly pay was nearly evenly split between respondents, with 50.4% of pharmacists reporting an annual salary and 49.57% receiving compensation on an hourly basis. In 2020, the majority of pharmacists who responded to the survey reported earning a salary of more than $120,000 or an hourly wage more than $61. The number of pharmacists with salaries in the $100,000 to $130,000 range in 2020 seems to be closely aligned with that from 2019: 38% reported making that amount in 2020, compared with 40% in 2019. However, a total of 39% of pharmacists in 2020 reported earning more than $130,000 per year, compared with 50% in 2019.

Further, 41% said they received additional income in 2020. The highest earners reported an extra $15,000 or more on average, but most respondents reported between $1001 to $5000 in extra income. 

In terms of raises, 35% of pharmacists received a raise in 2020; of those individuals, the majority received raises between 1% and 3%. Are pharmacists happy with what they make? That depends. Twenty percent listed income as one of their reasons for considering a job change. The following results on stress and job satisfaction levels hint that these salary ranges may not be enough to offset increasing workloads and frustrations with current workplace challenges.

Management pressure, high work volume, endless amounts of paperwork––all of these are part of a pharmacist’s job, which unfortunately often leads to job-related stress. Compounded with the ongoing pandemic and high patient demand, it is no surprise that pharmacists are generally feeling more overwhelmed this year. 

Our survey results showed that pharmacists reported higher stress levels and increased workloads in 2020 compared with previous years. Seventy-three percent indicated increased stress levels in 2020 compared with 61% in 2019. Pharmacists cited higher work volume (79%), COVID-19 (67%), and more pressure from management (65%) as the highest stressors. 

Another 73% said their workload has increased, up slightly from 70% in 2019, and just 20% reported that their workload has remained the same. 

Although COVID-19 has likely exacerbated this trend, high stress and heavier workloads have been steadily affecting the profession for years. Pharmacists are increasingly taking on larger roles in the care of their patients, while also facing additional pressures such as direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees and low reimbursements. When asked why their stress levels have increased at work, many pharmacists submitted responses ranging from insufficient staffing support, issues with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and lack of training to the explosive growth of vaccinations.

Although the majority of pharmacists earn at least $120,000 per year, 44% reported being dissatisfied with their current position and 35% are considering a job change as a result. 

Overall, 56% selected being either “satisfied,” “very satisfied,” or “extremely satisfied” with their current position. Even though 25.6% reported being “satisfied” with their job, 27% indicated that they were “somewhat dissatisfied.” Moreover, the percentage of pharmacists who said they were “extremely dissatisfied” jumped from 9% in 2019 to 17% in 2020. 

Insufficient support, high stress, and the belief that they are not receiving adequate compensation are all factors that roll into low job fulfillment. As anticipated, the added burdens of increased workload volume, inadequate support staff, and frustrations around DIR fees and unfair PBM practices contribute to the likelihood of job dissatisfaction.

Income, job security, and professional advancement were also cited as reasons for looking for a new position.

® Annual Pharmacy Salary Survey was available online from October 1 to November 3, 2020. 

Overall, 52% respondents were male and 48% were female. The majority (78%) of respondents are employed full time and 13.4% are employed part time.

The charts below show the breakout of respondents by geography, title, and pharmacy setting. 

Each year, Drug Topics® surveys pharmacists on important workplace issues—from compensation encompassing salary, wages, and raises to stress levels and overall job satisfaction. 

Drug Topics December 2020

Keeping Up With Continuing Education Is a Must

Addressing Drug Diversion Now Will Yield Dividends in 2021

Top Drug Approvals and Product Launches of 2020

Nutrition Counseling Tips for Patients With Autoimmune Conditions

Optimizing Pill Disposal Programs

2020 Pharmacy Salary Survey Results: Salaries Stabilize as Stress and Job Dissatisfaction Soar