Research Shows Motivations Behind the Pharmacy Workforce Exodus | APhA 2026

For community pharmacists across the United States, the daily reality of unmanageable workloads, inadequate staffing, and performance metrics that prioritize quantity over quality has moved from a quiet frustration to a public crisis. New research led by Jenny L. Newlon, PharmD, PhD, which recently earned the prestigious 2026 American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Wiederholt Prize for best published paper, suggests that even though the profession is at a crossroads, the path toward improvement depends heavily on the setting in which a pharmacist practices.^1,2

The study, published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, explores the readiness for change among practitioners, revealing a significant gap between those working for independent pharmacies and those employed by national chains.¹

“Pharmacists in all community settings, including national chains, grocery or big box stores, and independent pharmacies, report negative working conditions,” the study authors said. “However, pharmacists working for independent pharmacies report significantly less negative perceptions."

The root of these worsening conditions is largely attributed to declining reimbursement for drug dispensing, a systemic issue that many experts believe can only be solved through major policy shifts like pharmacy benefit manager reform or the achievement of federal provider status. However, the research indicates that the motivation to pursue these high-level solutions varies.

Using the transtheoretical model of behavior change to assess readiness, the study investigators found that pharmacists in independent settings are significantly more willing to pursue systemic-level changes, such as contacting legislators or joining professional organizations. These pharmacists may feel a more direct impact from legislative wins, such as expanded scope of practice, because their smaller environments are often nimbler and more responsive to change.

In contrast, pharmacists working within national chains or large grocery organizations often face unique barriers that stifle collective action. The research highlights a persistent fear of discipline or retaliation from corporate employers as a primary reason these practitioners may avoid raising workplace concerns or reaching out to state boards of pharmacy. This climate of professional anxiety exists despite the creation of the Pharmacist’s Fundamental Responsibilities and Rights by the APhA and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, which explicitly protects a pharmacist's right to seek resolutions without intimidation.

The study also captured a snapshot of the workforce just before the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that nearly 48.6% of respondents were already planning to leave or had already left community pharmacy for other settings. This mass exodus preceded the well-documented labor shortages of 2021, which eventually forced major chains to offer massive sign-on bonuses and salary increases to maintain operations. Although these individual-level changes—such as job-hopping or career pivots—provide temporary relief for the practitioner, they do little to address the underlying stressors of the community pharmacy environment.

Advocacy remains the most potent tool for lasting change, yet the study revealed that less than 25% of pharmacists have ever contacted a legislator or their state board of pharmacy. Furthermore, membership in professional organizations remains low, particularly among chain pharmacists, who reported the lowest levels of participation in both national and state associations.

“Future research should examine the effect of interventions intended to increase pharmacists’ motivation and readiness to pursue changes to improve working conditions,” the study authors concluded.¹

Without a united front, the profession may struggle to enact the systemic reforms necessary to improve conditions. The findings suggest that future efforts must focus on increasing the self-efficacy of pharmacists in corporate settings and educating the workforce on how to advocate effectively for a more sustainable future.

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REFERENCES

1. Newlon JL, Goswami S, Bentley JP, Illingworth KS. Community pharmacists' readiness to take action to improve working conditions. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023;63(5):1600-1606.e1. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2023.07.004

2. Wiederholt Prize for best published paper award for economic, social and administrative sciences (ESAS). News release. American Pharmacists Association. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Awards/Scientific-Awards/APhA-Wiederholt-Prize-for-Best-Published-Paper-Award-for-Economic-Social-and-Administrative-Sciences