In today’s world, there has been a noticeable increase in awareness surrounding mental health. It can’t be ignored, as it influences all aspects of our lives. Heightened awareness of mental health has grown into various domains, including the healthcare profession.
Pharmacists face unique stressors, such as long work hours and high expectations with many responsibilities. According to insights from a 2025 survey, this has led to mental health challenges, such as:
Burnout and Psychological Strain. A significant portion of pharmacists, often between 50% and 70%, reported feelings associated with burnout, including fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of depersonalization. Major contributors like high patient volumes and administrative burdens were frequently cited.
Anxiety and Depression. Over 40% of community pharmacists reported symptoms of anxiety and around one-third described experiencing depressive symptoms. Many pharmacists attributed these feelings to the constant pressure to perform amid staffing shortages and rapidly changing healthcare policies.
Work Environment Factors. Pharmacists who work in larger chain pharmacies often feel less supported compared to those in independent pharmacies, where there might be more personal autonomy but also less institutional mental health support.
Impact on Patient Care. Participants were strongly concerned that stress and mental strain could have downstream effects on patient care. Pharmacists were concerned that burnout might lead to increased errors, decreased empathy, and ultimately, compromised quality of care.
Luckily, pharmacy employees who are seeking support for their mental health can find resources like professional counseling, peer support, and specialized programs designed to address the unique challenges they face in the pharmacy profession.
Implementing strategies to nurture mental well-being is important for fostering a resilient pharmacy community. Self-care practices are important in ensuring a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Implementing stress management techniques is vital for maintaining mental well-being. As you know, the pharmacy profession is extremely stressful, so it’s imperative that you and your staff develop healthy ways to cope. Prioritize personal time and relaxation, and learn to say no when necessary to protect your mental health.
Signs of Substance Abuse in Pharmacists
Pharmacy practitioners who misuse prescription drugs—especially controlled substances—may take them to relieve stress, self-medicate, to improve their alertness at work, or something else. It’s important for colleagues to be aware of signs and symptoms of substance abuse among pharmacists, including:
- Absenteeism from work
- Disappearing inexplicably for extended periods during a shift
- A decline in work performance, such as making mistakes or keeping poor records
- Having difficulty concentrating or recalling instructions
- Having conflicts with coworkers, staff, and patients
- Experiencing hand tremors or impaired coordination
- Creating inappropriate prescriptions
- Exhibiting a progressive decline in personal appearance and hygiene
- Experiencing personality changes, like mood swings, anxiety, depression, or lack of impulse control
- Increasingly isolating themselves personally and professionally
- Coming to work on off days to “help out”
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and run by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
