Walmart requests its pharmacists to voluntarily reduce their working hours and take pay cuts to decrease costs, mainly targeting those in higher wage brackets. This move comes as Walmart pharmacies face pressures from low-profit margins on weight-loss medications and the company’s $3.1 billion legal settlement related to opioids. This year, Walmart’s shares have risen significantly as it becomes a favored choice for bargain shoppers during inflation.
Company representatives have confirmed the reduced hours, citing decreased drug demand during the summer and requests for work-life balance from pharmacists. However, industry experts argue that the underlying reason for the reduction of hours lies in the shortage of pharmacy technicians rather than demand fluctuations. The shortage of technicians, coupled with increased workloads due to the popularity of certain medications, has prompted the scaling back of pharmacists’ hours.