Local 12: CVS, Walmart cut pharmacy hours due to staffing issues

Walmart and CVS recently announced it is going to cut or shift pharmacy hours due to staffing issues, and Walgreens has already done so.

Kelly Epplen, associate dean of student affairs and admissions at the University of Cincinnati's James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, told Local 12 pharmacy school enrollment numbers dropped about a decade ago after the job market became saturated. But now that trend is starting to shift, in part due to students being inspired to enter the profession after seeing pharmacists on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As tragic as COVID has been globally and in our communities, pharmacists have really stepped it up and established their vital role in public health," Epplen said. "I see an upward tick and a positive trajectory."

Watch or read the Local 12 story.