Action | Addressing hours of continuous work by pharmacists |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 10/10/2012 |
I am a retail pharmacist for a chain pharmacy in Virginia. I am on my feet for 13 hours a shift and really have a difficult time getting a lunch break with the ever increasing volume our stores are seeing. It would be nice to have a requirment that chain pharmacys set a designated 30 minute break so that we can get our eyes away from the computer for a few minutes.
I also support the limit to a 12 hour workday, as 13 hours is exhaustive to be standing on my feet. We also have a responsibility to accurately dispense medications to patients and I definitely see fatigue playing a role in dispensing errors at pharmacies around the state. This change would improve the work environment for pharmacists by allowing us to be more alert and focused.