Pharmacy employers and unions press for technician ratio flexibility and remote processing after closures

Multiple stakeholders urged lawmakers to consider changes to workforce and operational rules to address pharmacy closures and staffing strains in California.

Jennifer Snyder, representing the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, told the committee California is “the only state in the nation that has a 1 to 1 pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio,” and that many other states allow far higher ratios. She said the industry supports the Board of Pharmacy’s exploration of a 1:2 ratio and asked the legislature to provide greater flexibility to permit pharmacies to use technological advances and remote processing for administrative tasks.

Peter Kellison of Walgreens echoed those workforce concerns and said addressing technician ratios and remote processing could speed prescription processing and relieve strains on pharmacists. The California Community Pharmacy Coalition urged giving pharmacists‑in‑charge discretion over staffing instead of a rigid statutory ratio, noting California’s technician requirements are among the most stringent in the country.

Why it matters: witnesses said restrictive ratios and rigid staffing rules contribute to longer wait times, burn out and some pharmacy closures. Labor representatives cautioned that any change should not increase unsafe workloads; the United Food and Commercial Workers reported 85 percent of its members surveyed felt understaffed for current tasks.

Board representatives said they are engaging stakeholders and evaluating proposals; the board indicated any statutory change would require legislative action.