Pharmacists have played a crucial role in the Island’s healthcare system during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the P.E.I. Pharmacy Association has reported a significant decrease in staffing levels at some community pharmacies in recent years. According to Erin MacKenzie, the association’s executive director, a shortage of workers existed, but more pharmacists have been leaving the private sector for other job opportunities, leading to reduced hours or closures of certain community pharmacies.
MacKenzie expressed concern over the closure of three pharmacies within a short period, especially in smaller communities where the local pharmacy often serves as the primary healthcare provider. The association’s internal survey indicates a projected doubling of job vacancies for pharmacists and technicians in the upcoming years, as many professionals are leaving P.E.I. for other opportunities, retiring, or leaving the field altogether.
Despite an increase in the number of registered pharmacists and technicians on the Island over the past decade, the actual workforce situation may not align with registration figures. The rise in internationally educated pharmacists has been notable, but the data does not specify the distribution of pharmacists among community pharmacies, Health P.E.I., and hospitals.
Health P.E.I. reported an increase in pharmacy staffing, with the recruitment of 32 pharmacists for permanent and temporary positions between 2023 and 2025. The presence of pharmacists in healthcare settings has led to improvements in patient safety and care efficiency. However, challenges persist due to workforce shortages, with wage scales differing between public and private sectors.
The Canadian Pharmacists Association highlighted nationwide workforce pressures, with a forecasted shortage of 1,700 pharmacists in Canada. Without intervention, this shortage could double by 2034. The association emphasized the need for workforce planning and recruitment strategies to address the growing demand for pharmacy services. It also pointed out that the pharmacy profession has the lowest projected growth rate among health professions, necessitating a collaborative effort to attract and retain pharmacy professionals across the country.
MacKenzie stressed the importance of recruiting graduates from Canadian pharmacy schools and internationally trained workers to address the staffing challenges. She emphasized the need for government support in attracting and retaining talent in the pharmacy sector, likening the recruitment efforts to the strategies employed for attracting physicians to the region.