Pharmacist Crisis in Taiwan's Hospitals: A Persistent Problem
STRVERY: Shortage of Pharmacists Puts Strain on Large Hospitals
Taiwan is grappling with a significant shortage of pharmacists, especially in medical centers and regional hospitals, particularly in the northern regions where the shortage varies between 5% and a staggering 30% [1]. This predicament is a complex web of causes, as we delve into the details.
By Lin Hui-chin / Staff reporter
According to Health and Welfare Ministry data, last year saw 37,391 registered pharmacists, with 19,994 working in pharmacies and 17,278 employed in healthcare facilities [1]. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with increased demand for masks, at-home rapid test kits, and other products at community pharmacies. This surge in demand led to a whopping 30% increase in overall sales [1].
In this scenario, some pharmacists abandoned hospital roles and opened their own stores, contributing to an expansion of pharmacies from over 7,000 to more than 8,000 nationwide [1]. However, post-pandemic sales dip, coupled with high hiring costs, has sadly led to over 300 community pharmacies shutting their doors [1].
Pharmacist shortages are common in medical centers and regional hospitals across the country, and this issue is most pronounced in northern Taiwan [1]. While some hospitals in central and southern Taiwan are fully staffed, others are still struggling with more than 10% shortages [1].
The disparity in shortages between northern and southern Taiwan can be explained by differences in salary and living costs [1]. Before the rise in hospital salaries in central and southern Taiwan and the increasing costs in northern Taiwan, many pharmacy graduates from southern Taiwan sought jobs in the north due to the higher salaries [1].
Despite the situation, many pharmacists appearing to have left hospital settings aren't returning, according to National Taiwan University Hospital's Department of Pharmacy director Huang Chih-fen [1]. The complexity of hospital work, fast-paced prescription process, and additional educational training and hospital accreditation requirements deter many from returning to hospitals [1].
The hope lies in government intervention through salary improvements, work stress reduction, career development opportunities, and encouraging patients to seek medical attention at clinics and local hospitals to alleviate the pressure on large hospitals [1]. As per National Health Research Institutes' forecast, the pharmacist workforce could grow to approximately 40,000 by 2032, but the shortage in medical facilities could worsen [1].
Instead of establishing new pharmacy departments, schools should focus on existing resources and training initiatives to address this imbalance [1]. As medical facilities continue to face pharmacist shortages, innovative strategies are needed to attract and retain pharmacists while ensuring the sustainable growth of the healthcare industry in Taiwan.
Sources:
[1] StarNews (https://star-news.tw/zh/article/299282)[2] Median (https://www.medianet.com.tw/News_center/news_list/2022_07_28_17413.aspx)[3] International Pharmaceutical Federation (https://www.fip.org/)
- The persistent shortage of pharmacists in Taiwan's hospitals, particularly in the northern regions, may have a significant impact on the health and wellness of patients, as they may experience delays in obtaining necessary medical-conditions treatment due to pharmacist unavailability.
- To address the ongoing crisis in Taiwan's hospitals due to pharmacist shortages, it is crucial to implement strategies that focus on improving salaries, reducing work stress, providing career development opportunities, and encouraging the use of clinics and local hospitals to alleviate the pressure on large hospitals, all of which play a vital role in science and the overall health-and-wellness sector.
