Pharmacy technicians play key roles in hospital 340B program operations, but pharmacy technician staffing shortages are occurring in hospitals throughout the nation. We’re joined by Dr. Tyffani Wingfield with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to discuss how the shortages are affecting hospitals, the pharmacy technician workforce, and 340B. Tyffani also shares potential solutions. Before the interview, we discuss recently enacted federal drug pricing legislation and the start of the annual 340B hospital recertification process.
Factors Contributing to the Pharmacy Tech Shortage
Pharmacy technician vacancy rates are high. Tyffani shares results from a pair of ASHP surveys that provide insights into the most prominent challenges hospitals face in recruiting and retaining technicians as well as potential solutions.
How Pharmacy Tech Shortages Affect Hospitals
Tyffani explains the vital roles pharmacy technicians fill, the strain on the health care system when there aren’t enough technicians, and how hospital organization structures can be modified to support techs. She also provides advice for how pharmacy technicians can have a satisfying career.
What the Pharmacy Tech Shortage Means for 340B
The staffing shortage has affected technicians operating 340B programs and pharmacy services. Tyffani describes how the staffing shortage affects 340B professionals in their day-to-day work.
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