USA Today Examines Pharmacist Shortage
USA Today on Wednesday examined the nationwide pharmacist shortage, which is most severe in high-growth states -- such as California, Florida and North Carolina -- and in more rural states -- such as Missouri, Maine and West Virginia. The nation's 37,000 chain stores had about 6,000 open pharmacist jobs in January, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The nearly 18,000 independent pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care homes and health insurers also have open positions, while chain drugstores, supermarkets and mass retailers are expected to add 2,200 pharmacies nationwide in the next two years. An increase in prescriptions and aging baby boomers also exacerbate the situation. The number of prescriptions filled by U.S. pharmacies in 2004 increased by 1.8% to 3.2 billion, and 42 million U.S. residents will become eligible for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit in January 2006. The pharmacist shortage peaked in August 2001, with 7,700 chain pharmacy jobs open, but recruitment continues to pose challenges for stores and hospitals (Schmit, USA Today, 8/17). Pharmacies nationwide have raised salaries by 4.9% on average since last year, bringing the average salary for a chain drugstore pharmacist to $92,542 (USA Today graphic, 8/17). In addition, some pharmacies are offering signing bonuses and tuition reimbursement. To help address the shortage, the number of pharmacy schools nationwide has increased from 72 in 1985 to 92 today, and pharmacy schools this year will graduate about 8,200 students, an increase of 700 from three years ago (USA Today, 8/17).
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