Unionizing pharmacists will have negative consequences

Elizabeth Hicks
| The Detroit News

We all hope for the best for our health as our prime years pass, but it’s almost certain that for high blood pressure or the occasional pinched nerve, prescription drugs are going to be in the picture. As the aging baby boomer generation becomes increasingly reliant on medical care to maintain their quality of life, pharmacists play a crucial role in managing the growing demand. That demand might not be met as a national effort to unionize pharmacists continues to disrupt local drug stores.

The number of unionized pharmacists nationwide right now is extremely low. Out of the nearly 30,000 CVS pharmacists in the US, only nine have joined The Pharmacy Guild, but some 700 are already unionized with other groups. Despite union organizers predicting that 90% of Walgreens and CVS pharmacists will be unionized within the next five years, this movement is largely fueled by social media creating a false perception of widespread support that doesn’t necessarily translate into reality.

However, the need for pharmacists continues to grow, especially as the number of Americans aged 65 and older will increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050. This natural demographic shift means a higher volume of patients in need of medications. Pharmacists are more important than ever, as is the quality of their relationships with patients.

The sudden need for unionization in this space is unclear. The healthcare industry already maintains competitive benefits and wages without union intervention. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for pharmacists was $134,790 in 2023 — well above the median for most occupations.

Major pharmacy chains like CVS Health and Walgreens offer additional benefits like tuition assistance programs, continuing education opportunities, paid parental leave and employee relief funds.

A union call for an increase in wages and benefits would lead to increased costs for pharmacies and patients and less responsive services for consumers. At a time when healthcare costs are already a massive burden for many consumers, this could make it even more difficult for many to afford the medications they need. That’s if the pharmacies are even able to stay open, as so many continue to close their doors merely due to online shopping trends, let alone higher costs of doing business.

While it is reported that close to 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, there are legitimate fears that “pharmacy deserts” will become more rampant, especially in rural areas that already have limited access.

Consumers have noticed that pharmacy closures have already taken hold here in Michigan. CVS has closed around 20% of its stores in Macomb County since 2021, Rite Aid recently announced its departure from the state as part of their ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and Walgreens is slated to close a “significant portion” of its 8,600 US locations over the next three years citing struggles to keep pace with the quickly evolving pharmacy industry.

Some may find the idea of unionizing pharmacy workers appealing, but the consequences for consumers will be significant. Less personalized care, increased costs and fewer brick-and-mortar locations are all likely outcomes. As we grapple with the immediate realities of an aging population, let’s not undo a system that works. Instead, let’s ensure that pharmacists can continue delivering the high-quality, personalized care that keeps all consumers healthy and happy.

Elizabeth Hicks is the US Affairs Analyst at the Consumer Choice Center. She is based in Lansing.

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Unionizing pharmacists will have negative consequences

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