Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Western States Council and California Pharmacist Association celebrated the California State Senate’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.
“As a pharmacist, my day is completely booked with tasks like filling prescriptions, confirming correct dosing of the medications I am prescribing, checking for drug interactions and allergic reactions, counseling and educating patients about how to take their medicine, and answering patient questions,” said Dr. Suzanne Bradbury, pharm-D and member of UFCW Local 324. “Now I’m even giving vaccinations for COVID-19. SB 362 will protect patients by ensuring pharmacists, and all pharmacy staff, are not subject to corporate-imposed quotas that divert our attention away from our number one priority: to keep our patients safe. Corporate pharmacy quotas put profits over patients; and that’s why California’s UFCW member pharmacists are proud to support this essential public health measure, and we urge the State Assembly to do the same.”
A recent expose by NBC News shows just how overwhelmed pharmacists are with their miles-long to-do lists: “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 represents pharmacists who are independent pharmacy owners as well as those who work for large and small corporate-owned chain pharmacies, hospitals, etc,” said Clifford Young, President, California Pharmacists Association. “This is the first time that I can recall CPhA sponsoring a bill to address workforce issues. But quotas being placed on pharmacists is of grave concern. Quotas have a direct negative impact to a pharmacists’ ability to spend the time necessary to provide quality care to their patients.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2021
Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]