Pharmacist Workload / Protecting the Public Health

Whereas: The primary duty of the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy is to protect the public in the realm of the practice of pharmacy, and

Whereas:The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy recognizes that many pharmacy positions require individual pharmacists to work beyond 8 hours/day, and

Whereas: Numerous community pharmacy practice sites are minimally staffed as a direct result of pharmacist personnel shortages; resulting in on-duty pharmacists not having either a meal or rest break during a particular extended shift, and

Whereas: The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy also recognizes that alertness and cognizance -"of and in" the pharmacist are essential to public health and safety.

Therefore Be It Resolved: That in the interest of public health and safety; the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy hereby endorses and encourages pharmacy owners and managers to allow pharmacy personnel to 'close and secure' (in compliance with Board Rules) a pharmacy for a maximum of thirty minutes at mid-shift, allowing personnel to relax, have a meal or otherwise occupy themselves, and

Be it Further Resolved: That during the mid-shift shut-down, signs are posted and phones are programmed to advise clients and callers that the pharmacy is closed and the time the pharmacy will reopen, and

Be it Further Resolved: That such 'shut-downs' be consistent within a particular corporate pharmacy to minimize confusion within the public and professional community. For example-APEX PHARMACY ANNOUNCES ITS PHARMACIES WILL CLOSE MONDAY THRU SATURDAY FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 1:30 P.M. In store signs and telephone messages will clearly advise clients of this policy, and

Be it Further Resolved: That the Board discourages parties from requesting exceptions (waivers) to the pharmacy security rules (R4-23-610.B), sign posting or telephone programming referenced above.