Burnout among pharmacists is a pervasive issue, one that often gets wrongly attributed to personal shortcomings rather than systemic failures. If you’re feeling burnt out in your pharmacy career, let me tell you something important: it’s not your fault.

In the pharmacy world, burnout stems from the environment — insufficient staffing, overwhelming workloads, and a lack of supportive leadership and colleagues. These are the real culprits, not your dedication or effort. You didn’t cause your burnout; the conditions around you did.

I hear countless stories from pharmacists who, despite feeling drained and disheartened, still find moments of fulfillment. It could be the gratitude of a patient whose life they’ve impacted, or the chance to provide crucial health information. These moments remind us why we entered this profession — to help others.

But here’s the catch: these positive moments are overshadowed by the strain of an unsustainable work environment. Many pharmacists express frustration with their jobs, their employers, and the overall state of the profession. They long for change, for environments where they can thrive and truly enjoy their work.

If you’re in a position to influence change — as a leader in pharmacy, a legislator, or an executive — now is the time to act. We need to overhaul these environments, making them supportive, empowering, and conducive to both patient care and pharmacist well-being. It’s not just about throwing more resources at the problem; it’s about fostering a culture where pharmacists feel valued and supported.

To corporate offices and decision-makers, I urge you: we have the means to fix these issues. Let’s move past excuses and take responsibility for creating better workplaces. Pharmacists deserve better than burnout. They deserve environments where they can thrive and continue making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

So, let’s change the narrative. Let’s stop blaming pharmacists and start reshaping the environments that lead to burnout. Together, we can make pharmacy a profession that inspires and fulfills its practitioners, one where every pharmacist can say they love what they do.