CVS Faces $250,000 Fine in Ohio for Pharmacy Understaffing, Jeopardizing Safety
Ohio state regulators have imposed a hefty $250,000 fine on a CVS store in Canton after investigations revealed significant understaffing issues, posing risks to patients’ well-being.
The fine follows a series of concerns raised by pharmacists, including those at major chain drugstores like CVS, who staged walkouts last October due to overwhelming work conditions exacerbated by low staffing levels, heavy workloads, and inadequate pay.
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy initiated its investigation in 2021, uncovering various deficiencies during visits to the CVS location in September that year. Among the findings were severe understaffing, malfunctioning pharmacy phones, and a broken AC unit. Moreover, the drive-thru lane was congested with cars after customers were directed to bypass the closed pharmacy lobby.
Despite staff requests to temporarily close the store for prescription filling and cleaning, management denied the plea. Subsequent visits revealed the pharmacy was over a month behind in filling prescriptions.
In response to the fine, CVS stated its awareness of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s decision and reiterated its commitment to improving conditions. The retailer emphasized strides made to enhance staffing levels and resources, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the fine, the Canton CVS store faces at least three years of probation and heightened monitoring. Regulators have mandated enhanced staffing levels to minimize fatigue and ensure timely prescription processing.
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy emphasized the importance of serving patients by maintaining appropriate staffing levels, signaling its commitment to holding pharmacies accountable for endangering patients and staff.
This development underscores broader concerns within the pharmacy industry regarding staffing shortages and workload pressures, with pharmacists across the US expressing challenges in meeting increased demands for prescriptions and services.
These challenges have prompted a national push for improved working conditions and unionization among pharmacy workers, highlighting the critical need to address staffing issues to ensure patient safety and optimal pharmacy operations.
