Becker's: Pharmacy Vacancy Costs Outweigh Visible Staffing Spend
In a Becker's Hospital Review commentary, the author argues that hospital pharmacy leaders focus too narrowly on visible staffing and contract labor costs while underestimating the larger financial toll of unfilled pharmacy and technician vacancies. The piece cites ASHP data showing technician turnover above 20%, vacancy rates up to 40% in some settings, turnover costs of $25,000-$35,000 per technician, and pharmacist burnout rates around 64%. It contends that unfilled roles push pharmacists into technician-level tasks, increase overtime and burnout, and trigger attrition cycles that cost more than strategic staffing investment. The author recommends evaluating vacancy cost alongside staffing cost rather than treating hourly rates as the primary savings lever.