The results of the sixth annual RPS Workforce Wellbeing Survey, in partnership with Pharmacist Support and in collaboration with the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), highlight the intense pressures that pharmacy teams face due to medicine shortages.

The survey of over 6,500 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians reveals that this persistent issue has left pharmacy teams stressed and frustrated as they struggle to provide vital medicines for their patients.

The results show that in the past 12 months, 56% of respondents said that pressures with managing medicines shortages had directly impacted their mental health and wellbeing. A further 49% reported they had suffered verbal abuse because of medicine shortages and 41% said their patients have been put at risk by shortages, potentially leading to worsening health conditions, flare ups, relapses or reduced quality of life.

The survey results underline the urgent need for the Government and NHS to create a national strategy to tackle medicine shortages and improve the resilience of supply chains, as called for in the recent RPS report: Medicine shortages: solutions for empty shelves.

Beyond medicine shortages, factors which have negatively impacted mental health and wellbeing over the past year include: inadequate staffing (70%); lack of work-life balance (49%); increased financial pressures (47%); lack of protected learning time (47%); lack of colleague or senior support (47%), and long working hours (34%).

Overall, 87% of respondent scored as being at high risk of burnout and just 21% felt their mental health and wellbeing was a priority in the workplace.

While many of the survey findings were similar for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, there were some noticeable differences. For example, 43% of pharmacy technicians reported that they enjoy or really enjoy their work, compared to just 34% of pharmacists. Additionally, while the proportion of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists offered breaks was similar, significantly more pharmacy technicians (47%) were able to take them, compared to just 35% of pharmacists. A higher proportion of pharmacists believe their mental health and wellbeing is not considered in their workplace (19%) compared to pharmacy technicians (15%).

At a time when pharmacy teams are increasingly being asked to deliver transformational change, the survey underscores the urgent need for better support systems to combat burnout and promote wellbeing at work.

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

“Pharmacy teams want to do everything possible to provide the medicines their patients need, and it’s deeply distressing when they can’t. This sense of ‘moral injury’ – of knowing what patients need but being unable to deliver it due to circumstances beyond their control – is taking a heavy toll on their wellbeing.

“Medicine shortages are not just a supply chain issue; they are a human issue, with real impacts on pharmacy teams working tirelessly to support the patients who rely on them. Finding solutions are essential not only for the wellbeing of the workforce but for ensuring safe and effective patient care.

“The survey results demonstrate the human cost of coping with the relentless workplace pressures. We need collaborative efforts from Governments, employers and the NHS to tackle the pressures on frontline pharmacy teams and create more supportive work environments.”

Pharmacist Support CEO Danielle Hunt said:

“This year’s survey saw a significant rise in responses, including, for the first time, insights from pharmacy technicians. Despite this broader participation, the findings remain deeply concerning, with pharmacists—our core beneficiary group—continuing to face a high risk of burnout. Worryingly, both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians report similar levels of burnout, reinforcing the urgent need for action to improve workplace wellbeing.

“While systemic challenges, such as funding constraints and medicine shortages remain beyond the control of pharmacy teams, there are areas where change is possible – particularly in fostering a positive workplace culture. Strong evidence shows that creating an environment where people feel valued and supported can have meaningful impact on reducing burnout. That’s why our charity is currently focused on equipping individuals and workplaces with the tools needed to drive positive change.

“This year’s survey also highlighted emerging concerns, including feelings of isolation and financial pressures -issues that align with what we’re hearing from students, trainees and working pharmacists. In response, we are expanding our support in 2025, with a new Financial Wellbeing resource launching in May to help individuals navigate financial stress and build resilience.”

APTUK President Nicola Stockmann said:

“The environments our teams are working in are fundamental in supporting ongoing professional development, learning and wellbeing. Furthermore, there must be a collaborative effort from stakeholders to support staff retention and morale, as this directly benefits both patient care and the teams providing pharmacy services. APTUK welcome the opportunity to include pharmacy technicians in the wellbeing survey for the first time, as a result of the wellbeing roundtable we attended in 2023. We look forward to continuing to support this workstream and collaboration in future annual surveys.

“Whilst there have been differences in responses between professions, it must be recognised that the results of the survey clearly demonstrate that the wellbeing of pharmacy teams overall, are and continue to be, under significant pressure.

“APTUK remain committed to collaborative action as the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians, to support sustained improvement of the experiences of the whole pharmacy team.”

Chief Executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council, Duncan Rudkin said:

“We were pleased to be able to support this year’s Workforce Wellbeing Survey by sending it out to the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on our register. The significant increase in the number of responses from pharmacists, and the inclusion of pharmacy technicians for the first time, has helped to paint a full picture of the wellbeing of both pharmacy professions, and the intense pressures they are often facing.

“We absolutely recognise the challenges that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are experiencing, and look forward to participating in the upcoming roundtable to discuss what we can all do to improve their workforce wellbeing.  Our standards for pharmacy professionals and for registered pharmacies should help to support the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the workplace, and we will shortly be publishing an article that highlights this.”

RPS, Pharmacist Support and APTUK will convene a roundtable in mid-March to review the latest findings with the NHS, professional bodies, employers, trade unions and regulators.

Reasd the full survey results.

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