OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City pharmacist Dr. Bled Tanoe is urging the state to add more protections for pharmacy workers who report unsafe working conditions.
On Nov. 16, the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy discussed modifying regulations regarding its adequate staffing policies at its meeting.
Oklahoma has laws to address staffing needs and working conditions at pharmacies. Dr. Tanoe praised the board for its past and current efforts, but is also calling for it and lawmakers to further address whistleblower protections, especially at major chain pharmacies.
According to Dr. Tanoe, she left her job at a Walgreens because of the pressure she was facing. She argued that her intense workload cut into the time needed to check allergies and other factors to ensure safe prescriptions.
"I found myself to be in a place where I, the environment was not safe for my patients, you know, and I was constantly afraid to make a mistake with every script that I bagged," asserted the pharmacist.
According to Dr. Tanoe, working conditions at pharmacies got even worse during the pandemic as companies added COVID-19 testing and vaccination administration to employees' workloads.
She explained that those efforts were important, but conditions need to improve.
"We're seeing... this massive shift, you know, of pharmacists leaving the profession, and technicians, because of the environment where they practice," she explained.
Dr. Tanoe added that, "They [pharmacists] really want...
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