Trends in the Pharmacist Workforce and Pharmacy Education

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy workforce analysis
• Longitudinal trend analysis
• Healthcare professional education

Background:

• National data reveal significant shifts in the pharmacist workforce supply and demand.
• Historically, a critical shortage existed, but trends now indicate an impending oversupply.
• The profession's transition towards patient-care focused roles has been slow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To observe longitudinal trends in the national pharmacist workforce and pharmacy education.
• To analyze the supply and demand dynamics within the pharmacy profession.
• To identify necessary changes for future pharmacist roles.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of longitudinal national data on the pharmacist workforce.
• Observation of trends in pharmacy education enrollments and training focus.
• Assessment of the pace of professional role transformation.

Main Results:

• Seismic shifts in pharmacist supply and demand observed, moving from shortage to potential oversupply.
• Pharmacy academia has increased clinical training and enrollments.
• The adoption of patient-care focused jobs within the profession remains minimal.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy is at a critical juncture, poised for transformation.
• Significant changes are required to alter current supply and demand trajectories.
• Pharmacy schools, associations, and employers must act decisively to secure the future of the profession.