Interesting article.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2008-02-11-prescription-errors_N.htm

Some quotes from it:

In its responses to USA TODAY, Walgreens said, "Errors don't occur more often at a busy pharmacy than a slow pharmacy."

Philip Burgess, national director of pharmacy affairs for Walgreens, testified in a 2007 deposition for a different case that he saw no link between pharmacist workload and errors. He said mistakes were "more related to lack of focus."

This is complete and utter dishonest bullshit from a man who has completely forgotten what it is like to be a real pharmacist. If, indeed, he was ever bright enough to be one.

USA TODAY found Walgreens and CVS have policies that seem to stress speed in filling prescriptions.

Walgreens' budget guidelines for work hours, never previously publicized, say a pharmacist at a typical store might have as little as two minutes to verify the accuracy of a drug, its dosage and directions.

"That's not enough. They allow no time for counseling" patients about their medications, checking the work of technicians and fulfilling other duties, says Kennedy.

"We have never dictated the time a pharmacist spends on a prescription," Walgreens said. "Pharmacists are licensed professionals; we expect them to exercise good professional judgment." Stores may adjust the guidelines "as needed," the chain said.


Kennedy challenges that assertion: "Walgreens corporate (executives) will tell you … that there is no pressure to increase speed, and that pharmacists are supposed to use their professional judgment and go at a pace where they're not going to make errors. … What filters down to middle management is completely opposite. They're in the stores pushing the volumes."

Quite. All I hear from the overpaid, overpromoted middle management at the Ghetto is that we must cut waiting times, and increase item volume. This is bullshit. It's unsafe bullshit. There are nowhere near enough staff to cope with the Ghetto as it is. Are we going to get any more staff? Are we bollocks! Plus, we have to put up with a Fantastic New Computer System that crashes at hourly intervals.

If pharmacists are being flogged far and away beyond what it is safe for any man to do in a day, it is no wonder that mistakes are being made. If pharmacists have to put up with useless quipment foisted on them by some piston wristed gibbon who is easily impressed by flashing lights and little pictures, then they will make mistakes. If pharmacists have to work in shitty conditions, then they will get pissed off, stressed, and think "Fuck this, I'm off to do something easier".

Why are there precisely zero articles in the Pharmaceutical Journal about this? It's all very well focusing on the 0.001% of pharmacies that have well-trained staff, leaving the pharmacist free to do Other Stuff. Most places are vastly understaffed and with an ever increasing prescription volume there's going to be a very, very serious fuck-up sometime soon. And the supermarket it happens in will wash their hands of the whole affair.

Edit: Should point out that I found this here: http://pharmacygod.blogspot.com/2008/02/usa-today-today.html, which is a better site than mine.