Work-related health issues among pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels

Pharmacists are at high risk of infection due to their direct contact with potentially infected patients and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine whether increased health issues among pharmacists during the pandemic were associated with pandemic-related changes in their work environment. A total of 438 pharmacists from 28 prefectures completed a self-administered survey between September 2021 and January 2022. Health issues with significant increases among pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic included depression, anxiety or emotional disorders, insomnia, eye problems and skin disorders. The following work-related factors were significantly associated with these health issues: For depression, anxiety, or emotional disorders, key factors were fear of infection during medication explanations to customers or patients and fear of infection related to work in general. Insomnia was significantly associated with shift adjustments and fear of infection when fatigued. Eye problems were linked to remote medication counseling via telephone or online platforms, disinfection and cleaning tasks, and shift adjustments. No significant work-related factors were associated with skin disorders. This study identified specific work-related tasks associated with increased health issues, offering valuable insights into the occupational risks faced by pharmacists and informing preparedness for future pandemics.