Nebraska pharmacies facing staffing shortages, heavier work loads
Nearly every business and industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and pharmacists are no exception.
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA -- Nearly every business and industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and pharmacists are no exception.
Officials with the Nebraska Pharmacist Association say they've never seen it quite as busy as it is right now. They say that's because the number of vaccinations they're giving out on a daily basis.
"They're definitely under the gun, and we ask for people's patience," said Marcia Mueting, CEO of Nebraska Pharmacist Association. "Filling a prescription takes a lot of concentration, and there are several checks along the way. We don't want to rush that process. We want to make sure safety checks are in place so the right medication is given to the right patient.
December is also a peak month for flu vaccinations as well. These factors, combined with a staffing shortage that's occurring nationwide, mean local pharmacists are stretched thin.
Mueting says the best thing you can do for a smooth pharmacy experience and to help staff improve workflow, is to call in prescriptions several days in advance if possible, to grant pharmacists proper time to fill them.