Pharmacy staff walkouts at major drugstores cause a ‘pharmageddon’

UNITED STATES (CBS) —  Some pharmacy staff at major drugstores are staging walkouts this week.

Employees at chains like Walgreens and CVS are demanding more staff, mandatory training hours, and better working conditions.

The walkout, dubbed ‘pharmageddon’ on social media, began Monday, October 30th and goes until Wednesday, November 1st. This follows similar actions over the last two months that forced a few pharmacies around the country to close briefly.

Shane Jerominski – a former Walgreens pharmacist and one of the organizers of the walkout – said that staff shortages can lead to critical mistakes. He explained that “because there’s a lack of technician support, pharmacists only take a few seconds on every prescription. They’re not able to counsel appropriately to catch mistakes, and that’s how you introduce medication errors.”

Jerominski added that the companies are asking pharmacists to also become salespeople, by having them ask about vaccine needs at the register.

The major chains commented that they are addressing the concerns and are committed to providing a healthy workplace environment.