Data Report: 2018 Pharmacist Licensure Survey

Abstract

Identifying supply and distribution of the pharmacist workforce is crucial in understanding the capacity to meet medical needs and improve overall population health of Hoosiers. The field of pharmacy has been a longstanding profession that has changed significantly throughout its history. Data presented in this report provide a snapshot of key demographic and practice characteristics for the pharmacist workforce in Indiana. The 2018 Indiana Pharmacist Licensure Survey Data Report presents key information derived from data collected from the pharmacist re-licensure survey administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) during the license renewal period. In 2018, 11,354 pharmacists renewed their professional licenses. Of those who renewed their license, 5,316 pharmacists reported actively practicing and had a valid Indiana license address and were included in this report. Data from this reports demonstrates a lack of diversity among pharmacists as less than 10% of the workforce identified as a non-white minority. Additionally, a very small percentage of pharmacists reported completing a fellowship (2.2%) or residency (10.8%), and 43.4% reported having no BPS certification. Though majority of pharmacists are working more than 32 hours per week (73%), around one-fifth (20.2%) reported spending around 10% of their time in direct patient care. Limited access to pharmacists is demonstrated by the significantly lower pharmacist FTE in rural counties as compared to urban (489 FTE in rural counties; 4,035.4 FTE in urban counties). This report details important demographic and practice characteristics for the pharmacist workforce and examines these data specifically for pharmacists. The 2018 Pharmacist Licensure Survey Data Report presents a snapshot of data on the pharmacist profession to provide stakeholders with information needed to improve the quality and accessibility of pharmacist care for Indiana residents through policymaking, workforce development, and resource allocation. Additional analyses and reports may be made available upon submission of a technical assistance request at http://family.medicine.iu.edu/hws.