Pharmacists Across U.S. Plan Walkouts Over Unsafe Working Conditions Caused by Understaffing at Major Chains

Pharmacists across the U.S. plan to walk out this week to protest unsafe working conditions caused by understaffing and unrealistic metrics at chains like CVS and Walgreens.

A previous walkout by CVS pharmacists in Kansas City led to temporary store closures. CVS dispatched an executive to meet with them but employees say concerns weren't adequately addressed.

Pharmacists report often working alone to fill over 1,000 prescriptions a day plus provide consultations, vaccines, etc., leading to mistakes.

Unions are reaching out to offer support and leverage the protests to argue collective bargaining would help address concerns.

Customers like a man in North Carolina say backlogs and understaffing make it scary and difficult to reliably get needed medication on time.