CVS fined in Ohio for understaffing pharmacy, risking staff and patient safety
CNN
State regulators hit CVS with a $250,000 fine against one of its stores in Canton, Ohio, after investigators found that the pharmacy had been understaffed, posing a risk to the well-being of patients seeking medication in a timely manner.
State regulators hit CVS with a $250,000 fine against one of its stores in Canton, Ohio, after investigators found that the pharmacy had been understaffed, posing a risk to the well-being of patients seeking medication in a timely manner. The move from the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy follows a walkout by pharmacists at some of the largest chain drugstores last October, including CVS, because of overwhelming and exhausting working conditions triggered by what the workers have said are low staffing levels, heavy workloads and low pay. The Board said its investigation stems back to 2021 when its agents visited the CVS location in September of that year and found several problems. The investigation found that the store was seriously short staffed, pharmacy phones were not working properly and the AC unit was broken. Agents also noted the drive-thru lane was backed up with several cars after a sign at the front of the store told customers that the pharmacy lobby was closed and everyone had to go through the drive thru. In yet one more instance, staff asked management to close the store down temporarily to catch up on filling prescriptions and clean the pharmacy, but the request was denied. A follow-up visit by agents revealed that the pharmacy was over a month behind in filling prescriptions, according to the agency’s report.













