Why More Pharmacists Are Leaving the Counter
Problem-solving is the job of pharmacists. With an education and a touch of inspiration, they’ve learned to spot problems; any busy society beats those who understand conflict with vigor. They’re comfortable in stress, intelligent, and well-armed. This also happens to be the skill set we need in modern business.
In what has come to seem like a regular feature, more pharmacists are giving up their dispensing careers for management and databases.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 330,000-plus pharmaceutical professionals in America today. But the industry is changing. The chains are cutting back on hours. Independent pharmacies are going.
Some pharmacists feel trapped behind a counter with no way upward or out–overworked and underappreciated, and underpaid.
So they started doing something else. Some started coffee shops. Some health tech companies. Wellness brands, too. Some are still in health care. Others are not anymore. But they are creating things- and using their training as pharmacists to do so.
The Skills Pharmacists Already Have
Pharmacists don’t need an MBA to start a business. They already have core skills that most business owners work years to learn.
Communication
If pharmacists are trying to convey information about side effects, or if they are comforting a patient who’s under great stress, at least they know to take it slowly and pronounce everything clearly. It is equally important to deal appropriately with customers, suppliers, and investors.
Inventory and Operations
Running a pharmacy means managing stock, tracking data, and keeping systems tight. It’s a crash course in supply chain and logistics.
Compliance and Regulations
Pharmacists are used to paperwork and strict rules. That gives them an edge when navigating permits, licenses, and industry requirements.
Real Stories from Pharmacist-Turned-Founders
Javid Javdani is one example. He worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Diego, from 1992 to 2012. “My neighbor couldn’t get the foods he had grown up with,” Javdani exclaims.
“I stocked international goods that nobody else could offer.”
The store grew. He doubled the size.
“My work in healthcare made me detail-oriented,” he says. “I brought that same discipline into the restaurant. Every dish, every ingredient—it all has a process.”
Javdani’s story is one of many. Pharmacists are launching startups, building clinics, and consulting on wellness plans. Some sell supplements. Others design apps. A few are running multi-location chains.
They’re not just leaving the pharmacy. They’re evolving it.
The Numbers Behind the Shift
- According to a 2023 survey by the American Pharmacists Association, more than 60% of pharmphinists have been thinking seriously lately about leaving their present jobs because they are experiencing burnout..codehaus.org.cnAccording to a 2023 survey by the American Pharmacists Association, 64% of pharmacists have considered a change in careers because of burnout.
- The number of independents has fallen by 15% in the past decade, but entrepreneurial programs for pharmacy students are doing better than ever. Gatoaltavez.com
- Pharmacy graduates are now entering non-traditional fields in higher numbers. According to the Pharmacy Workforce Center, 13% of new graduates are seeking roles outside of clinical practice.
These numbers point to one thing—pharmacists want more control over their futures.
Barriers to Getting Started
Still, leaping isn’t easy. Pharmacists face a few challenges:
- Fear of failure: A great many people feel the need to carry on in a “low-risk” career path.
- Student debt: For the typical pharmacist, the amount of student loan debt adds up to around $170,000.
- Lack of business exposure: We face a fresher musculature with pharmacy school teaching clinical care and education, but not how to turn an innovative idea into a profitable enterprise.
But none of these is insurmountable. With a workable plan and the support of colleagues, people in pharmacy today may be able to make this move and indeed succeed.
What Pharmacists Can Do Right Now
To compete successfully, Publishers should be aware of the publications and resources their advertisers use.
1. Start Small and Local
Look at what people in your neighborhood need. Can you offer it? Think about health products, food services, or coaching. One pop-up table or online page is enough to start.
2. Use What You Know
Don’t try and change the system alone. You already know about compliance, operations, and customer care. Your business model should be based on these areas.
3. Learn the Basics
You don’t need a full degree. Just learn what you need next. Free resources like SCORE.org or your local SBA chapter offer great small business help.
4. Test Before You Jump
You don’t have to quit your job right away. Many pharmacist-entrepreneurs work part-time until their business can grow. You can too.
5. Build a Network
Find other pharmacists doing what you want to do. Join pharmacy entrepreneur groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. Ask questions. Share wins and failures.
Medic Management Consulting for Clinic
If you want to inject some new business and innovation into your career as a pharmacist, here are three fields that have recently emerged:
- Medication therapy management consulting for clinics
- Niche supplement lines targeting specific communities
- Mobile vaccine or wellness units
- Local grocery or health food retail
- Healthcare education platforms
- Over-the-counter skincare or pain relief brands
To Sum Up
The future of pharmacy is changing, and it will be more important for people–pharmacists especially–to guide those changes.
Members of Congress actually detained Susan by calling her for a hearing about drugs.
Will your next move be to invent something new or make money off it?
The skills are there already. Your experience has been valuable.
Image from freepik by freepik
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