The majority of independent pharmacy owners and managers report struggling with supply chain disruptions and struggling to fill staff positions, according to a survey released Nov. 10 by the National Community Pharmacists Association.
The survey, based on 318 responses from independent pharmacy owners and managers collected between Oct. 26 and Nov. 6, found that 60 percent of independent pharmacy owners are dealing with supply chain disruptions. Nearly 70 percent reported struggling to fill staff positions, with pharmacy technicians and front-end staff slots being the most difficult to fill.
Many pharmacies are increasing wages and offering employee incentive pay, the association said.
Additionally, 76 percent of respondents reported being worried about possible tax increases on small businesses, and 64 percent reported being worried about inflation. Just 31 percent of respondents said the overall financial health of their business is very good or somewhat good, while 28 percent described it as average, and 41 percent described it as somewhat poor or very poor.
The pharmacy owners reported that direct and indirect remuneration fees from pharmacy benefit managers and vertical integration in the pharmacy industry are their top two concerns.
Find the full survey results here.