Following are some of the major factors contributi

Following are some of the major factors contributing to a severe shortage of pharmacists in the U.S., according to a recently released report from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.



INCREASED USE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS DUE TO:

? Aging of the population

? Continued development of new, effective medications

? Direct marketing to consumers by pharmaceutical manufacturers

? Increased consumer access to medical care



MARKET DEMAND FACTORS, SUCH AS:

? Competition among retail pharmacies resulting in expanded hours and new store openings

? Increased time spent by pharmacists verifying insurance or managed care coverage, plus other aspects of third- party payment



EXPANSION OF PHARMACISTS' ROLES:

? Increased responsibilities in assuring quality in all steps of the drug use process

? Employment opportunities in research, insurance, managed care, and benefits management



THE CHANGING WORK FORCE:

? Increased number of female pharmacists with higher rates of part-time employment

? Adoption of the PharmD (six years of college) as the entry-level degree for pharmacists, causing a transition-period loss of new graduates