Community pharmacists report significantly higher work-related stress levels than those working in general practice, a snapshot survey has revealed.

An exclusive poll by The Pharmacist suggests the stresses of the job have resulted in a lack of sleep and put a strain on pharmacists’ personal relationships in both settings – but it appears notably worse among those in the community.

The survey held in April was completed by almost 160 members of the profession, including 84 working in community pharmacies and 74 in general practice.

Three-quarters (75%) of community pharmacy respondents said workplace stress had resulted in a lack of sleep, while 47% of those working in general practice reported the same issue.

A further 75% of those in the community also said they were experiencing ‘compassion fatigue’ and more than a third (34%) of general practice pharmacists said the same.

When it comes to personal relationships or friendships, almost seven in 10 (69%) of community pharmacists said their job-related stress was having an impact. This was compared to around a third (34%) of general practice pharmacists who reported an impact on their relationships.

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More than half of community pharmacists (51%) said job stress had forced them to reduce their hours – this was significantly lower for those in general practice (16%).

And it appears that the percentage of community pharmacists that report taking antidepressants because of work-related stress was more than double (17%) the percentage of those in general practice (8%).

Work-related stress 'part of the job'

One community pharmacy respondent described the profession as ‘on its last legs’, while another said recruitment issues caused ‘maximum stress levels, always’.

‘The burden and worry is heavy. My mortgage is due for renewal and my accounts do not support this. An extra additional consequence of this issue,’ one community pharmacy respondent added.

Meanwhile, one general practice pharmacist informing our survey described the NHS as ‘very stressful’, with ‘constant’ staff and target changes. ‘I think it’s part of the job,’ they said about workplace stress.

Another said they had to ‘reduce session times to 20 minutes in two practices due to stress’.

'Government must address pharmacy workforce pressures'

Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Professor Claire Anderson said the findings ‘reflect the varying stress levels amongst pharmacy sectors’.

‘We urgently need action from government and the NHS to address workforce pressures and ensure better support for pharmacy teams across all settings,’ she told The Pharmacist.

She pointed to the findings of a recent RPS workforce wellbeing survey which found 87% of pharmacists were at risk of burnout.

It also found that access to protected learning time ‘varies between sectors, with only 35% of community pharmacists report having enough, compared to 68% in general practice’, added Professor Anderson.

'Stress and burnout are commonplace'

Also commenting on our findings, Alastair Buxton, director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England (CPE), said: ‘The persistence of community pharmacy workload pressures means morale remains low.

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‘Occurrences of stress and burnout are commonplace, forcing professionals who love working with patients to consider leaving the sector altogether.’

CPE’s 2024 survey on pharmacy pressures also suggested that staffing issues was having a significant impact on workload and the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacy team members.

‘If the government wants to make full use of the clinical skills of community pharmacists and their teams, it must safeguard the pharmacy workforce and deliver on its commitment to work with us to set out a sustainable funding and operational model for the sector,’ added Mr Buxton.

'Day-to-day pressures are immense'

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: ‘A career in community pharmacy can be incredibly rewarding but as this survey shows the day-to-day pressures are immense.’

He noted that teams were dealing with ‘record volumes of work’ and ‘delivering more services than ever before’ while still up against a significant funding gap.

‘Too often we hear of pharmacy teams working long hours as well as contractors raiding personal savings and pension pots to keep their pharmacy afloat,’ Mr Picard told The Pharmacist.

‘If we are to address this, it's important the government now sets out a roadmap to meet the funding gap facing community pharmacy at the upcoming spending review, which will relieve some of the pressure on pharmacy teams.’

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Pharmacies and pharmacists play a crucial role in our communities, which is why we are working to turn around a decade of underfunding and neglect that has left the sector on the brink of collapse.’

They added that the new pharmacy contract aimed to ‘help get community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future, as well as deliver services closer to home for patients’.