Staffing shortages continue to challenge pharmacies across the country, increasing workloads, leading to burnout, and making it harder to maintain operational efficiency. With many pharmacies struggling to fill key positions—especially pharmacy technicians—leaders must find innovative ways to ease the burden on their existing staff.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by optimizing purchasing and inventory management. Smarter purchasing not only reduces time-consuming manual tasks but also helps pharmacies cut costs, ensure compliance, and improve overall efficiency.
The Growing Impact of Staffing Shortages
Pharmacies are facing a severe labor crisis. According to a National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) survey, 58% of pharmacies report difficulty filling open positions, particularly for pharmacy technicians. The turnover for a single technician can cost up to $35,000, while replacing a pharmacist can cost up to six times more. These shortages force existing staff to take on more responsibilities, leading to:
- Increased stress and burnout
- Higher error rates in ordering and inventory management
- Decreased time for patient care
- Greater risk of non-compliance with regulations
Without solutions to streamline pharmacy operations, these challenges will only continue to grow.
How Smarter Purchasing Helps Alleviate Staff Burdens
A well-optimized purchasing strategy can significantly reduce the time and effort required to manage procurement, helping staff focus on more critical tasks. Here’s how:
1. Centralized Purchasing and Inventory Management
Pharmacies often work with multiple vendors, making it challenging to track pricing, availability, and compliance. A centralized purchasing system consolidates these tasks into one streamlined platform, reducing the time staff spend on procurement.
2. Access to a Comprehensive Vendor Catalog
Instead of manually searching through multiple supplier portals, pharmacies using smarter purchasing tools can view a unified catalog of all their vendors in one place. This enables them to compare pricing, availability, and contract terms quickly, ensuring they get the best deal without wasting time.
3. Automated Ordering and Cost Optimization
Manual purchasing processes are time-consuming and prone to errors. Smart purchasing solutions automate order placements and suggest cost-effective buying options based on past purchasing trends and inventory levels. This minimizes unnecessary spending and ensures that essential medications and supplies are always available.
4. Enhanced Compliance and Error Reduction
Pharmacies must comply with numerous regulations and contract terms, which can be difficult to track manually. Automated purchasing solutions help ensure compliance with trade agreements, pricing contracts, and regulatory standards, reducing the risk of costly mistakes and audits.
5. Freeing Up Staff for Patient Care
By eliminating redundant tasks and improving efficiency, pharmacy staff can focus on what matters most—providing high-quality care to patients. Instead of spending hours tracking down the best vendor deals or manually placing orders, staff can dedicate more time to medication management, consultations, and improving patient outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Staffing shortages will continue to be a challenge for pharmacies, but the right purchasing strategy can help ease the burden on staff, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. By implementing smarter purchasing solutions, pharmacies can ensure they have the resources needed to navigate workforce shortages while maintaining high-quality care.
Want to learn more? Download our white paper on reducing the impact of staff shortages through smarter purchasing.
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