Pharmacists Stage Walkouts Over Working Conditions, Citing Understaffing and Stress

Some pharmacists at CVS and Walgreens locations across the U.S. planned walkouts this week over working conditions.

Pharmacists cited issues like understaffing leading to increased workloads and stress.

Walkout organizer Luke Slindee says pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are a root cause by ratcheting down reimbursement rates.

Slindee says PBMs have monopoly-like power over pharmacies who can't afford to lose the PBM's insurance coverage.

Pharmacists associations expressed support for the walkouts and called for action from PBMs, while CVS and Walgreens say they are listening to feedback.