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- Weekly Fill #20
Weekly Fill #20
Welcome back to this week's edition of the Weekly Fill! We're bringing you the latest pharmacy trends with some fun updates about life at ShiftRx.
Some changes this week: Benzo, our favorite office cat, is officially relocating to his forever home! Heâs gotten comfortable on our desks (and Andrewâs backpack), but now heâll have an entire home of his own. Weâre going to miss him, but weâre excited for him to be reunited with his owner. Meanwhile, the office itself? Not doing so well. The heavy rain in Austin decided to gift us a surprise ceiling leak. With office animals and now a watering hole, we are slowly turning into a zoo by the day.
The Weekly Fill is your go-to for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, owners, operators, managers, etc. Basically, if you're in pharmacy, this newsletter is for you. So share it with 10 pharmacy friends, or risk five years of bad luck (we're not kidding) đ
đ The Big Fill This Week: Weight Loss Drugs Go Full Commercial
What's happening?
Weight loss meds like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have been in high demand for a while, but now theyâve fully entered the mainstream space. Hims & Hers ran an ad for their weight loss drug services during the Super Bowl. Telehealth companies pushing these meds directly to consumers means a major shift in how patients access them and even more pressure on pharmacies.
Quick Doses:
Direct-to-consumer push: Telehealth platforms are making weight loss drugs easier to purchase, which could mean more demand, more shortages, and more patient questions.
Shortages arenât going away: The supply chain for these meds is already stretched thin, and mass advertising is only going to make it worse.
Expect regulatory changes: As more people turn to online prescriptions, the FDA and insurance providers might crack down on access and reimbursement.
What This Means for You: More patients are going to be asking about weight loss drugs, and pharmacies need to be ready for the increased demand, shifting regulations, and, inevitably, frustrated customers who canât get their prescriptions.
Want to read more? Check out the full story here.
Pharmacy Trends
Women in Pharmacy: Still Leading, Still Underrepresented in Leadership
February 11 was the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is great, but letâs be realâpharmacy still has a long way to go. Despite women making up the majority of pharmacists, leadership and ownership in the field are still overwhelmingly male.
Quick Doses:
Women dominate the field but not leadership: Over 60% of pharmacists are women, but they own less than 25% of independent pharmacies.
Pay gaps persist: Even in a female-majority field, men still tend to make more, especially in executive roles.
Mentorship matters: Access to networks, mentorship, and leadership training is one of the biggest factors in closing the gap.
Why It Matters: The industry is shifting, but change isnât automatic. Pharmacies that put mentorship and leadership opportunities for women first will shape the future of healthcare.
Want to learn more? Read about it here.
ShiftRx Announcement
Weâve moved into full-time roles, in addition to the PRN marketplace, to help you build out a reliable float pool. We have a careers hub featuring a job board, so if youâre a pharmacist or tech looking for your next career moveâthis is a must to check out. Get started here: https://www.shiftrx.io/pharmacy-professionals.
And if youâre managing pharmacy operations: post your open roles on our job board and get direct access to only pharmacists and technicians instead of spending time on Indeed or LinkedIn, sifting through tons of resumes. Get started building your pharmacy dream team here: https://www.shiftrx.io/healthcare-facilities.
đ Quick Scripts: Other Industry News
Amazonâs RxPass Cuts Costs and Increases Access: Amazonâs RxPass improves medication adherence by extending supplies and lowering out-of-pocket costs for common prescriptions, making meds more affordable for users. Read more
Texas Pharmacies Can Substitute Generics: Texas pharmacies can switch to generics for most prescriptions unless a doctor specifically requests the brand name, potentially saving patients money. Read more
Connecticut Expands Birth Control Access via Pharmacies: Connecticut now lets pharmacists prescribe and dispense birth control, improving access and convenience for patients. Read more
đPharma Spotlight
Each week, we highlight pharmacy professionals and industry leaders who are making a real impact. This is our way of celebrating the work and dedication of professionals who drive pharmacy forward.
Our Pharma Spotlight this week is on Niha Mitha, who currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Health and a Master's degree in Public Health with a focus in Biostatistics. Her thesis examined the correlation between female breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer deaths and various sociodemographic factors at the state and county levels. In addition, she co-authored a published paper with her professor and colleague on Syrian refugees and mental health in the International Journal of Translational Medical Research and Public Health. She has a strong interest in pharmacy and public health, particularly in medication access and vaccine support. Looking ahead, she plans to transition into biostatistics and data analytics within the pharmaceutical industry to contribute to data-driven healthcare solutions.

Niha Mitha
Whatâs the biggest challenge you face on a daily basis, and how do you handle it?
âAs a new pharmacy technician, Iâve already learned so much in just a month, but I quickly realized that pharmacy is an entirely different world with constant learning. One challenge I face daily is ensuring customer satisfaction, particularly when explaining medication costs and insurance complexities. While checking out customers may seem straightforward, it can sometimes be tedious and even nerve-wracking when patients are frustrated about pricing. To handle this, I take the time to navigate the system thoroughly, review insurance details, and continuously learn about pricing structures in my free time. Thankfully, my team of experienced pharmacy technicians is always willing to guide me, making the learning process smoother and more manageable.â
How do you stay organized when juggling multiple prescriptions, insurance issues, and patient requests at once?
âTo stay organized while managing multiple prescriptions, insurance issues, and patient requests, I focus on prioritization. Collaboration with other pharmacy technicians is also key, as working together ensures efficiency and minimizes customer wait times. Additionally, I make the most of available resources, such as pharmacy systems and workflow tools, to streamline processes and stay on top of tasks. By balancing time management, teamwork, and resourcefulness, I can maintain organization and provide the best service to patients.â
Whatâs one piece of advice youâd give to someone new to the role that you wish you had known earlier?
âWhether youâre new to the role or have years of experience, pharmacy is a field of continuous learning. Even after four years, youâll still encounter new processes, regulations, and challenges. Pharmacies are constantly evolving, so never feel discouraged if you donât know everything right away. Instead, embrace the learning process and stay open to growth, because adaptability is one of the most valuable skills in this role.â
Thatâs it for todayâs fill!
Stay tuned for next weekâs issue. If you enjoyed this, please share it with your pharmacy friends. Until then, keep filling those scripts đ«Ą
Doses and mimosas, ShiftRx team
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