Unionized pharmacists who work at grocery stores throughout Southern California surveyed patients and customers this week about wait times, service conditions and medication safety.
Nearly 200 customers at Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions and Albertsons stores expressed frustrations about long lines, understaffing and mistakes with their medication, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. The customer surveys took place in front of stores in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Newbury Park, Nipomo, Canoga Park, Tujunga, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Seal Beach.
The grocery pharmacists union previously released findings of an online survey of 118 patients that revealed a pattern of longer lines, mounting workload pressures and safety concerns at grocery-based pharmacies. Issues of concern include chronic understaffing and rising prescription volumes inside supermarkets with no action from the companies, according to UFCW 770.
The survey found that nearly 59% of customers said lines have increased at their pharmacy in the last four years, 48% reported waiting more than 10 minutes for service and 11.9% said they have experienced a medication error.
The pharmacists union is currently negotiating a new labor deal with Ralphs, which is owned by the Kroger Co., and Albertsons Cos. Inc., the parent of Vons and Pavilions. The existing contract expired March 1.
Jessica Crowley, a Pavilions pharmacist in Los Angeles, participated in the union action Thursday at a Ralphs store in Pasadena.
“We’re out here talking to patients and customers today, and capturing their frustrations with long lines, short staff and the medication errors that come with it,” Crowley said in a statement. “We hope that the results will force the companies to finally listen to their patients, customers, and pharmacists, and agree to institute stronger staffing standards, which is one of the things we’re fighting for in our contract.”
Kroger and Albertsons representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Angie Ayala, a pharmacy technician at the Pasadena Ralphs, also expressed concern about inadequate staffing.
“When we’re short-staffed, pharmacists are pulled in every direction at once,” Ayala said in a statement. “They are verifying prescriptions, checking for drug interactions, giving vaccines, answering phones, resolving insurance issues, and counseling patients all at the same time. Our patients feel it, and they are fed up with the consequences of understaffing.”
Union officials said members will continue engaging with grocery customers next week, with the release in-person survey results to follow.
UFCW 770 represents nearly 800 pharmacists. The union has been negotiating a new contract since January and is seeking more robust staffing and competitive wages to retain experienced workers.