Pharmacists said that the conditions they work under were often a barrier to using the full scope of their knowledge and skills. These conditions included long days without breaks and prescribed workflow processes.

A sample of what pharmacists said:
It isn’t fair to expect us to work 12-13hrs straight without breaks. We are also pressured to not take breaks due to workflow dynamics. We need mandatory breaks to ensure pharmacists are not too fatigued for patient care.

Other health-care professionals close for lunch, so should we.

Workflow design is one of the main barriers to enabling expanded scope of practices and the Standards of Practice are met. Many employers have designed workflow to enable efficient drug distribution and not necessarily enabling pharmacists to practice in a manner to provide good quality care.

What the NSCP will do:
Direction 2 in the NSCP’s strategic plan is to Engage in Practice Environment Concerns.

The following major initiative under this direction will help address the barrier of working conditions:
1. Initiate continuing dialogue between the NSCP and pharmacy owners on workplace issues.
2. Establish minimum workplace requirements for a community pharmacy to provide safe and effective care.