Top 5 Things That Should Be Illegal (But Aren't) in Pharmacy
Pharmacists consistently rank among the most trusted professionals, and for good reason. But behind the counter, a storm of systemic issues is brewing—pressures that are not only bad for pharmacists but also detrimental to patient care. Here are the top five things in pharmacy that should be illegal, but aren't.
1. The Hidden Hand of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
These third-party administrators of prescription drug programs have an enormous, yet often invisible, influence on what you pay for your medications. PBMs negotiate rebates with drug manufacturers, but those savings are rarely passed on to the patient. Their complex and opaque pricing models can artificially inflate drug costs, leaving patients and pharmacies to foot the bill.
2. The Dangers of Pharmacist Burnout
Your pharmacist is likely overworked and overstressed. It's not uncommon for pharmacists to work 12-hour shifts with no breaks, managing hundreds of prescriptions while also administering vaccines and counseling patients. A tired, rushed pharmacist is more likely to make a mistake—a mistake that could have devastating consequences for a patient. The absence of mandated breaks and safe staffing levels is a critical patient safety issue that goes largely unaddressed.
3. When Numbers Matter More Than Patients
In many large pharmacy chains, a pharmacist's performance is measured by the number of prescriptions filled per hour, patients signed up for automatic refills, and vaccines administered. This focus on speed and volume forces pharmacists to rush through critical tasks like verifying prescription accuracy. When the system prioritizes quotas over care, patients lose the valuable expertise of their pharmacist.
4. The ‘Gag Clauses’ That Keep Patients in the Dark
For years, pharmacists have been legally prevented from telling patients about cheaper alternatives for their medication. “Gag clauses” in contracts between PBMs and pharmacies prohibited a pharmacist from informing a patient that the cash price for a drug is less than their insurance co-pay. Federal legislation has been passed to ban these clauses, but their legacy is a stark reminder of the ethical tightrope pharmacists are forced to walk.
5. Profiting from Scarcity: The Scandal of Drug Shortages
Drug shortages have become a disturbingly common feature of the American healthcare landscape. When a common, inexpensive drug suddenly becomes scarce, some manufacturers will exploit the situation by dramatically hiking the price. This leaves patients and hospitals forced to pay exorbitant prices for essential medications.
A Call for Change
The current state of the pharmacy profession is a complex web of misaligned incentives and systemic flaws. As patients, it's crucial to be aware of these challenges. By supporting advocacy groups, speaking with your elected officials, and simply asking questions at the pharmacy counter, you can be a part of the movement for a more transparent, ethical, and patient-centered pharmacy system. And if you're a pharmacist who's lived through all five of these — there's apparel designed specifically for you.
Related Reading
0 comments