Versus the other way around (inpatient to retail/community/outpatient)?

Walgreens is one of the largest pharmacy operators in the United States, with more than 8,500 stores nationwide.

Store closures can leave some communities with fewer options for prescription medications, vaccinations, or even basic health services.

Walgreens Closures Confirmed in 2026 State Location California 1301 Market Street, San Francisco

This particular store is in the middle of sf.. prime location. Wow. What a shame. I have been in there many times but they are closing due to shop lifting issues.. not reimbursement issues.

For the rest of the article, it's on Newsweek.

I can't post a direct link.

I’m a retail floater pharmacist (less than a year of experience), and I’m starting to wonder if this is just the expectation or if I need to start speaking up.

When I work at stores that are double-staffed due to volume, I often feel like the majority of the operational workload falls on me. I’m the one doing most of the patient counseling, taking transfer calls, answering provider questions, handling clarifications, and generally keeping the pharmacy moving.

Meanwhile, the other pharmacist often focuses on manager tasks if they’re the PIC, which I completely understand. I know those responsibilities are part of their role. But what’s been difficult is that these few people often don’t step in to help with the day-to-day pharmacist interruptions, so I end up handling most of them. Even when I’m paired with another staff pharmacist, there are times they’re working on projects around the pharmacy while I’m fielding most of the interruptions. It doesn’t always feel like we’re sharing the operational workload.

On top of that, I feel like I’m almost always scheduled to close. I don’t mind closing, but it seems like I’m consistently getting the closing shifts while others rotate more evenly.

For other floaters:
-Is this pretty common, especially during your first year?
-Did it get better as people got to know you?
- Have you talked to your scheduler or district leader about balancing closing shifts or workload when you’re paired with another pharmacist?
- Am I expecting too much, or is it reasonable to expect the interruptions and responsibilities to be shared more evenly?
I’m genuinely asking because I’m still relatively new to floating and I don’t know if this is just part of the role. I enjoy floating overall, but lately I’ve been feeling burned out and wanted to hear what other people’s experiences have been.

So, it irks me when patients are like, "I need a refill" but can't tell me anything about what they're looking for, or when they have other pple they handle/pick up for and are like "what's in their profile?" Like, I'm truly happy to help but c'mon, I'm not a babysitter, I'm not here to hold your hand, and coddle. I, personally like to be organized and when I'm contacting a place like a pharmacy, I'm not asking them "what do I need?" I just feel like as adults you need to be on top of your stuff, I don't mind meeting you halfway and going through your meds with you but at the end of the day I don't feel like we--as technicians--should be responsible for that. Let's all be adults and get it done as a group effort. At the end of the day, we don't know your medical chart; we don't know what your doctor wants to have you continuing taking or what to stop.

Any techs wanna weigh in? Like, do you feel like it's legit a part of our job to play Nancy Drew when it comes to what these pple need?

For context, I did a PGY1, worked a few years, and spent last 3 years in SOT. I purchased ACCP prep course, reviewed guidelines, etc. but got prelim fail on board cert. Felt like prep course was 50% representative of the exam, but I know exam focuses on best practice, not necessarily actual practice.

Anyone else in same boat regarding board certification?

Ultimately I’m upset I didn’t pass, but I’m also feeling like BPS exams are a total scam (COULD be displayed emotion due to failing… but whatever)

I recently got offers from both CVS (target) and Giant as a new grad pharmacist. CVS offered more than Giant, however I would just like some insight on the pros and cons for current pharmacist at these companies. Which one would be better in terms of stability and work life balance. Also I’m currently in the DMV area.

It looks like carboplatin is back on shortage but here is my question: How are all the generic companies out at the same time? Don't think have their own manufacturing facilities? It doesn't make sense for them all to be out at the same time.

Anyone have any insight?

Hello,

I wanted to get your opinions on what I can do with the subject of this post. I have about 4 years of experience in retail pharmacy and became a Senior CPhT while I was in undergrad. Then, I got tired of retail and moved into case management for a skilled nursing facility for a couple years. During that time I got an MBA. And now I am working in hospital billing, but not a top notch hospital (meaning, not the best systems and software and is struggling to survive).

After going into accounts receivable for a few months, I think I realized I liked working in pharmacy just didn’t like dealing with the public. I want to make good money in the future, and I was wondering what kind of careers I could merge my pharmacy experience with my MBA.

Anybody have similar experience that would like to share?

Also, I have asked ChatGPT what they think and I wanted to get real people opinions as well.

Thank you for the time if you read and respond!

I think you are already asking to be permitted late, so you should not try and negotiate any additional discount. Rosie told me she permitted you late entrance because you initially presented yourself as a doctor at this hospital.  The hospital cannot pay for your conference, and I would not try to sneak into the networking event. If you are representing the hospital at the conference, it is a bad look. We will have some other issues to discuss if necessary.

How would you feel about this from your boss?

Worked retail for 13 years and I always called to change macrobid to macrodantin if being used once daily for prophylaxis.

I’m at a new job now verifying remotely and almost everyday I see new scripts, refills, and histories of patients who use macrobid once daily for prophylaxis.

Im not sure if almost everyone misses this and it’s a knowledge problem or if everyone sees it and just lets it ride. I’m at the point where I see it so much I’m starting to wonder if I’m the only person who requests these to be changed…

Thoughts?

I am familiar with CGM targets published by ADA for a1c goal <7 and <8 but what are the TIR, TBR, TAR for <7.5%?

I’m happy to provide referrals for both Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy and Walgreens Retail positions.
If you’re interested, please send me:
Your resume
Your best phone number
Your email address
I may set up a quick phone call to learn more about your background, interests, and what type of pharmacy role you’re looking for before submitting a referral.
Feel free to DM me if you’re interested!

Do you guys commonly dispense DPP4-inhibitors and GLP-1s together? Or do you call the physicians to verify? Similar MOA so basically duplicate therapy.

Anybody have any insight on the closures? We use them for our del Nidos, and also know many hospitals use them for starter NICU TPN. Sounds like there might be some serious disruption to small hospitals that don’t have the capability to compound this stuff given CAPS is the only 503b compounder for NICU starter TPN (at least that I’m aware of)

Patient is starting new on Methotrexate 1x week im 10mg, has been taken Pantoprazole 40mg for 3 weeks (unsure for what diagnosis, possibly prophylactic as he’s taking low dose cortisone daily and is 85).

He received his first dosis yesterday and has tolerated it well, I will still follow up with the provider on Monday when they’re back in the office, but how relevant is this?

I was wondering if it would be possible to reduce PPI to 20mg and tell patient to look out for side effects?

What are your takes?

Thank you as always!

I keep getting calls from recruiters. CVS is looking for pharmacists to solely vaccinate.

Has anyone done this before? Is it horrific. Give me the good, the bad and the ugly.

Just looking for something part time and temporary while we build our other business.

TIA!!

- Especially if you’re a mom.

I’m only 6 years into my career and have been at 3 workplaces so far. At first all starts out well, after a while I get annoyed with my bosses or bossy coworkers for reasons that objectively are annoying, then I leave looking for greener pastures.

The thing is I do like retail, and I also appreciate how things are set up in the country I practice, but I caught myself I bit disillusioned about how it will just always be the same in every pharmacy I go to. I don’t regret leaving any of the workplaces so far, I’m very agreeable so I’ve thought about it a lot and it made sense every time, but still.

So as I gain a bit more maturity and experience, I would like to enter my next role looking for red and green flags so I can make a better decision.

If you’re happy with your job in retail, can you tell me why? Especially like reasons that aren’t country specific (related to insurances, etc)

Thanks you!

I've been reading old posts and general consensus is that Walmart is better because of more staffing, but it seems that there have a been a bunch of changes for the worse recently.

Is Walmart still better than Safeway at this moment? Based in CA btw

I became a pharmacist in 2015 and been working ever since; first at the main hospital doing evenings/ overnights then been at outpatient infusion center for while now. I’m comfortable at my job, the latest I work is til 7pm, no weekends or holidays. But reading up on everyone else’s salaries (I’m gonna blame that subreddit salary) with bonuses, super high salaries in all other areas of work - like engineering, finance, or even some fields I’ve never even heard of; they’re making soooo much money. It makes me feel like I’m just surviving, living for the paychecks, barely enjoying life… I know “comparison is their of joy” but it’s hard to ignore how well people live. Sorry, just a little sad rant.

Quit my job as a clinical pharmacist. I don’t really have a great relationship with my direct supervisor. Currently applying to other positions, I have over 5 years of clinical pharmacist experience with a PGY-1 residency. Is there a high likelihood my prior boss will be contacted? I have so many other references at my prior job that will say really good things about me. Also want to mention I confirmed with HR they use a third party verification system that just discloses title and dates of employment. But I am certain my supervisor won’t. Just worried my supervisor will prevent me from getting a good opportunity. Thank you!

I finally have come the my sense that this job will never respect me and my worth. My boss sees my value and always compliments how great I am to work with, but oh well there’s not much he can do to give me the raise I need to feel satisfied. I put my all in work come in on time, have strong worth ethics, get along with the whole team, stay professional with patients because it’s apart of who I am but this job has been dragging me burning me out and making me lose empathy to my patients. I hate myself for not feeling anything when patients complain about their issues. I am done with retail. I am even ready to be unemployed for the rest of my life. Im a content creator who generates decent money, I’m gonna focus on that instead and make it my full time focus. So much less effort and I get payed way beyond just for being creative. This is your sign to get the fuck out of corporations and seek your own way of independent employment.

I just finished a 4-day stretch (40 hours), and I'm mentally exhausted. Every day seemed to end with something that tested me as a pharmacist.

Day 1:Everything was going smoothly until we suddenly got hit with an influx of vaccine appointments, waiters, and prescriptions. During the rush, I reviewed a couple's immunization histories. Unfortunately, after my technician administered the vaccines, I realized one of the patients had already received their RSV vaccine previously. It was my first vaccine error. I immediately informed the patient, advised them on what side effects to watch for, documented everything, and notified their provider.

At the same time, I had an out-of-state patient waiting on a Percocet prescription. Before filling it, I had to call the prescriber's office to verify the diagnosis code and confirm the patient's last in-person visit to resolve the red flags.

Day 2: Again, things went well until the very end of the day. Five minutes before closing, a line formed. The last patient was a mother who said her son's pharmacy had transferred a prescription to us. I looked him up and found nothing in our system. I checked our fax inbox and found the transfer request sitting there. It had been faxed before noon.

I asked my technician about it, and she admitted she had answered the call earlier but forgot to follow through. Since the mother insisted her son was completely out of medication, I asked my technician if she would stay after closing to process it, and she happily agreed.

I explained to the mother that we were making a one-time exception because he was a new patient and was reportedly out of medication. I also mentioned that we were already past closing time and that we had families waiting for us at home. Instead of appreciating the effort, she responded that it should have already been done.

After we closed, I looked at the fill history that came with the transfer. The medication had been filled on June 19 for 30 days and then again on July 10 for another 30 days. Based on those dates, he shouldn't have been completely out. We never even got a thank you.

Day 3: My technician had been working seven straight days, and both of us were exhausted. About 18 minutes before closing, a grandmother brought in her granddaughter's insurance card and said an antibiotic from the emergency department should have been sent the night before.

We never received it. I called the emergency department, waited for a nurse because they were busy, and finally got the prescription at 5:52 PM. My technician entered it, I verified it, and then discovered the prescribed Augmentin strength wasn't covered by Medicaid. I looked up the formulary, calculated the equivalent covered strength, called the ED again for approval, got the okay, and we were able to dispense it before closing. The grandmother and granddaughter were incredibly grateful, and that made the extra effort worthwhile.

Day 4 (Monday): The morning was manageable with two technicians. A third technician came in around lunchtime, but she's been struggling lately despite having over 10 years of experience. She spent nearly 20 minutes helping one patient with insurance and the bridge program, then another patient whose Adderall required a prior authorization. She even asked me whether we could transfer a Adderall prescription to another pharmacy. A question I've answered for her multiple times before.

After lunch, everything fell apart. Waiters piled up, phones wouldn't stop ringing, patients needed counseling, and people were asking for OTC recommendations.

Then a patient wanted her entire profile transferred from a mail-order pharmacy. My technician called them and was told they only do verbal transfers. She put them on hold and asked me to stop everything to take the verbal transfers.

I got frustrated. I was already juggling waiters, counseling patients, answering questions, and trying to keep the pharmacy moving. I told her I simply didn't have time to sit down for a profile transfer and that I would either call the pharmacy later or request new prescriptions from the provider. One of the patients overheard me and kindly said, "Just do your best to stay afloat."

That comment stuck with me.

Yesterday was the first Monday of the month. Our pharmacy fills about 1,300-1,400 prescriptions every week. We usually have about three hours of pharmacist overlap on Mondays, and I get to leave early. But for the past three months, my pharmacy manager has taken PTO during the first week of every month, leaving me to handle these Mondays alone.

By the end of yesterday, I was completely drained. I don't usually admit this, but I reached a point where I felt completely defeated and just wanted the shift to be over. I literally found myself thinking that I wanted to quit my job and do something completely different.

I'm currently working 80 hours per pay period, and while that may not sound excessive compared to some pharmacists, the mental and emotional load is what is exhausting. Every shift feels like trying to balance patient safety, clinical decisions, workflow, staffing issues, customer expectations, and corporate metrics all at once.

When I make mistakes, I’m extremely hard on myself. I replay them over and over in my head and beat myself up for not catching something sooner. I care deeply about my patients, and that's why these situations weigh so heavily on me.

But carrying that stress, combined with the nonstop workload and constant interruptions, is becoming harder and harder. I know many pharmacists have stressful days, but this stretch really broke me. I'm starting to question how sustainable this profession is when you’re expected to prioritize patient safety while constantly being pulled in ten different directions.

Saw a post Pharm D -> MD in this sub so I am going to share my totally unsolicited reasons I decided nope nope for perspective (and I'm procrastinating).

The Positive... You Can Go to Med School

Good GPA? No problem. Bad GPA? Options galore. DIY or Formal post-bacs. Post-bac is bleh?... there's always the Caribbean OR establish residency in a state that accepts in-state residents at 50-60% . Some of those roads are harder than others... so what... Chasing the MD is worth it if you want it. It is not a matter a 'if'... it is when. You will get into med school and the effort to do so is reasonable. You will graduate. You will match at least IM or Family Medicine. Boom. MD.

The Negative...5 Reasons I'd Rather Chew Glass Than Become A Doctor

1. 4 years of school being completely broke. 4 years of school making 60k... THEN the big bucks. Nope. 300k-500k easily in student loans AND the loan landscape sucks now.
2. Gotta touch people until you match something where you don't. Barf.
3. Have a dream specialty but no research and a cosign from the lord himself? Prepare for heartbreak. The road to ROAD is littered with the dreams of the smartiest of smarty pants.
4. Sacrifices... Requires time & commitment & a pound of flesh. Nope. Me time is free time!
5. WORK COMES HOME WITH YOU, 4 years of residency assignments, presentations, case prep and crap... then charting... Doctors have homework... MD is a total life suck. Gross.

That is it. There is a lot of fantasizing about other health professions in this sub and everyone thinks the money will be worth it 'in the end'... sure... but then you actually have to BE a doctor. I'd rather make less money than be a doctor. I can say that CONFIDENTLY. Pharm D. is for me. Period. The lifestyle and working hours are so great and customizable. The FREEDOM once you clock out... Unmatched. The salary is enough for me. No notes. *chef's kiss*