Reform Workplace Practices of Chain Pharmacies to Reduce Medication Errors

Abstract

Pharmacists employed by chain pharmacies have raised concerns over corporate-mandated practices that compromise patient safety. Harsh working conditions and the pressure to meet mandated quality metrics have increased the likelihood of medication errors. Complications associated with medication errors exceed $40 billion and cause adverse health effects for hundreds of thousands of Americans annually. Despite their ubiquity, chain pharmacies face varying regulations as state pharmacy boards dictate individual statewide policies. There is minimal data collection on pharmacy practices and state pharmacy boards do not require pharmacies to report errors. We recommend Congress pass a bill mirroring the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act to improve pharmacists’ working conditions and mandate data collection on medication errors nationwide.