Members of the Allied Health Professionals are rallying at metro area hospitals today to bring what the union calls a “full-fledged” hospital pharmacist staffing crisis to the attention of the public.

The AAHP says hospital pharmacists provide the necessary medications for every single hospital patient, but with higher salaries and bonuses offered in the private sector, recruitment and retention of staff has become very challenging.

AAHP President Gord Piercey says the situation is dire.

“Clarenville and Burin in particular. Clarenville right now is working at 75 per cent reduced staffing models. They have four pharmacy positions in that site, and three of them are vacant. Burin also has four pharmacists, bu t they are down 50 per cent as two positions are vacant.”