Ohio hopes six new rules will protect pharmacy workers from understaffing and burnout

Ohio has introduced six new rules around pharmacists to help battle understaffing and burnout. The rules, which went into effect May 1, were created by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy in response to data it received from pharmacist surveys about stresses. They require all pharmacies to offer all pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians an uninterrupted 30-minute break for all employees working shifts that are six hours long or longer. Another pharmacist can be available to cover the pharmacist, the pharmacist can stay on location and only be available in case of emergencies, or the store can close for the break. One chain, Giant Eagle, announced it would do just that, with all its pharmacies closing daily between 1:30 and 2 p.m.They also cap shifts at 13 hours, though pharmacists can volunteer to work longer if the pharmacy documents the need. They also mandate eight hours off between shifts. Read: How U.S. pharmacy groups and legislators are pushing back against PBMsIt also requires pharmacies to “ensure sufficient personnel are scheduled to work at all times in order to minimize fatigue, distraction, or other conditions which interfere with a pharmacist's ability to practice with reasonable competence and safety.” Staffing levels have to account for not just the number of prescriptions that are filled but also for other services, such as vaccinations and patient counselling. Pharmacy workers must have a process for staff to report concerns about staffing and for management to offer a written response within 14 business days. The pharmacy must keep these requests and responses for three years and be available to the Board of Pharmacy if requested. The pharmacy cannot retaliate against staffers who complain. The rules also ban quotas for ancillary services such as immunizations, drug administration, and refill reminders. Although they can set goals for these numbers, they cannot tie those to specific pharmacists or punish them for not meeting those goals. On the patient side, pharmacies must dispense medications within three business days of receiving a prescription and within five business days of receiving automatic refill requests. Some exceptions are included, such as when there are drug shortages or prescriptions for compounded drugs.Finally, pharmacies must have policies that ensure that pharmacy services are offered safely—for example, if someone calls in sick and there isn’t enough staff, pharmacies should reduce ancillary services or hours. Read: Survey says burnout still an issue

Ohio hopes six new rules will protect pharmacy workers from understaffing and burnout

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