Workforce Issues Among Sole Community Pharmacies

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Workforce Issues Among Sole Community Pharmacies overview

In just over one thousand small rural communities throughout the United States, pharmacy services are delivered through a single independently owned retail outlet. In recent years this group of pharmacies has been subject to increased financial pressures, while at the same time facing uncertain prospects for the future due to the changing demographics of rural America. To better understand the dynamics affecting rural pharmacy services, this team has reported data on rural pharmacy closures1 , described the clinical service roles of sole community pharmacies2, and summarized issues identified by rural pharmacists relative to the implementation of the Medicare Part D program3,4. This Policy Brief focuses on workforce issues faced by sole community pharmacies. In 2008, we interviewed 401 pharmacistowners of pharmacies that were located at least 10 miles from the next closest retail pharmacy, to determine their staffing levels and future plans for their pharmacies. We find there are common themes related to the challenges of maintaining the pharmacy workforce and patient access to pharmaceutical care in these communities.