Evolving Perceptions of Pharmacy as a Long-Term Career

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy recently released the 2024 National Pharmacist Workforce Study, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving pharmacy profession.¹ This latest report examines long-term trends, the lasting effects of COVID-19, and emerging issues such as pharmacist well-being, shifting roles, employment changes, and changing perceptions of the profession. It provides valuable insights into how the pharmacist workforce is adapting in a rapidly changing health care environment.

One of the most influential shifts shaping today’s pharmacy landscape was the move to an all-PharmD degree in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This transition elevated pharmacists’ roles within health care teams and emphasized clinical services over traditional dispensing. While this opened many new doors and expanded opportunities, it also created a disconnect between what pharmacy students are trained for and the reality many face in practice—roles still often focused on high-volume dispensing tasks. This mismatch can lead to frustration among newer pharmacists who expected more direct patient care.

Other significant factors affecting the profession include rising tuition costs and relatively stagnant salary growth. These trends have narrowed the return on investment for pharmacy education, causing some prospective students to consider other health care careers with potentially higher financial rewards. Additionally, the corporatization of pharmacy, particularly within community settings, has limited pharmacists’ autonomy and flexibility, reducing opportunities for innovation and personalized care. The COVID-19 pandemic further spotlighted workplace stress and burnout, influencing both public perceptions and pharmacists’ views of their career sustainability.

Despite these challenges, pharmacy remains a diverse and dynamic field, offering multiple pathways for meaningful, multi-faceted careers. Drug Topics® recently sat down with Brianne Bakken, PharmD, MHA, associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and an author on the National Pharmacist Workforce Study, to discuss how perceptions of pharmacy as a long-term career have evolved in recent years.

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References

1. Mott DA, Bakken BK, Nadi S, et al. Final Report of The 2024 National Pharmacist Workforce Survey. Pharmacy Workforce Center; Washington, DC, USA: 2024. Available online: https://www.aacp.org/article/national-pharmacist-workforce-studies