Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Western States Council and California Pharmacist Association celebrated the California State Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee’s approval of SB 362 (Newman). SB 362 would prohibit the application of sales quotas or performance-based metrics that interfere with the professional judgment of pharmacists.
“California’s pharmacists’ number one job must be our patient’s health and safety,” said Dr. Suzanne Bradbury, pharm-D and member of UFCW Local 324. “SB 362 will protect patients by ensuring pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and all pharmacy staff are not beholden to corporate-imposed quotas that divert our attention from patient care. Corporate pharmacy quotas are about profits, not patients; that’s why California’s UFCW member pharmacists are proud to support this essential public health measure.”
A pharmacist’s to-do list is already a mile long – as part of filling prescriptions, they contact prescribing physicians, confirm correct dosing, check for drug interactions and allergic reactions, counsel and educate patients about how to take their medicine and be alert for possible side effects, and answer patient questions. Over the past decade pharmacists have also been asked to go above and beyond to fill gaps in our healthcare system by providing flu shots, tobacco cessation tools, oral contraceptives, and opioid overdose rescue products. Now pharmacists are helping to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to defeat the biggest public health challenge in a century.
“Pharmacists are forced to juggle so many important, detail-oriented responsibilities,” said Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton). “We must ensure that corporate-imposed profit-based motives do not get in the way of the health and safety of patients.”
A recent expose by NBC News shows just how overwhelmed pharmacists are: “From 12-hour shifts so busy they don’t have time to go to the bathroom or eat to crying in their cars every day after work or lying awake at night worrying about mistakes they might have made while rushing, they described an industry of health care professionals at the breaking point.” The piece also details how the practice of using quotas to boost profits takes a toll on pharmacists: “’Basically, your day is timed out by the minute — it’s like the worst case of micromanaging you can imagine…’”
“CPhA is proud to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation. Pharmacists are highly educated members of the healthcare team and we must be able to provide care consistent with our education and training which does not include meeting sales quotas.” – Clifford A. Young RPh, BCGP, FCPhA, President, California Pharmacist Association
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State Senator Josh Newman represents the 29th Senate District, which is comprised of portions of Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Bernardino County. The 29th District includes all or parts of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda. Senator Newman is a former United States Army officer, business person, and veterans’ advocate, and lives in Fullerton with his wife and daughter.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council is the regional coordinating body of 11 UFCW local unions representing over 200,000 workers in California, Arizona, and Nevada. The Council is a part of the 1.2 million-member strong UFCW International Union. UFCW members are standing together to improve the lives of workers, families, and communities.
The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) was founded in 1869 and is the largest state association in the country representing pharmacists. CPhA represents pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists from all practice settings. These practice settings include community pharmacy (both independent owners and employees working in chain drug stores), hospitals & health-systems, and specialty practices such as compounding, managed care, and long term care.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2021
Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]