The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, including the healthcare industry. One area that has been significantly affected is pharmaceutical staffing. According to NBC News, there are 60% more openings for pharmacy technicians over the last five years, further affecting the staffing shortage. Here are three ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the pharmaceutical staffing shortage.
Increased Demand for Medical Professionals
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented demand for medical professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. With hospitals and healthcare facilities overwhelmed by the number of patients, the demand for qualified professionals to provide care has skyrocketed. As a result, pharmaceutical companies have faced significant challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff. While healthcare staffing solutions can help solve part of the problem, all of the issues have yet to be solved. The staffing shortage has been further exacerbated by the fact that many healthcare workers have been infected with the virus or have been forced to quarantine due to exposure.
Supply Chain Issues
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to global supply chains, including those that support the pharmaceutical industry. Many pharmaceutical companies rely on international suppliers for raw materials, ingredients, and finished products. When borders were closed and transportation systems were disrupted, many of these companies faced significant challenges in obtaining the supplies they needed to operate. This has resulted in delays and shortages of critical medications, including those used to treat COVID-19 patients. The shortage of these medications has put even more pressure on already overworked healthcare professionals, exacerbating the staffing shortage.
Shifts in Medical Priorities
The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a shift in priorities for many pharmaceutical companies. Many companies have had to divert resources and staff to focus on developing vaccines, treatments, and other products related to COVID-19. This has created a shortage of staff in other areas, such as drug development, quality control, and manufacturing. Pharmaceutical companies have had to make difficult decisions about which projects to prioritize, often leaving important projects on hold.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the pharmaceutical staffing shortage. The increased demand for medical professionals, disruptions to supply chains, and shifts in priorities have created significant challenges for pharmaceutical companies. As the world continues to navigate the pandemic, it’s essential that we address these staffing shortages and work to support our healthcare professionals in providing the care that our communities need. Our team offers healthcare staffing solutions, helping you to get the staff your company needs to operate effectively. Reach out to us for all of your healthcare staffing needs.
