In an article published in USA Today, experts warned of the risks of work-related stress following the death of 41-year-old Ashleigh Anderson, a pharmacist at CVS, in 2021. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Anderson was often the only pharmacist on shift at a 24-hour CVS in Indiana—where she was expected to fill hundreds of prescriptions per day and administer vaccines without a break. Despite her refusal, she had been promoted to pharmacy manager, forcing her to ensure that the pharmacy was adhering to regulations and holding her accountable for any violations. Just before her death, Ms. Anderson was experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, jaw pain, chest pain, and cold sweats. On the morning of her death, she communicated to her boyfriend that she believed she was having a heart attack at CVS. In order to seek immediate medical attention, she would have had to close the pharmacy and potentially face consequences from corporate for accumulating a greater backlog of prescriptions. Ms. Anderson reached out to an assistant to find a replacement; however, before the replacement arrived, she collapsed behind the pharmacy counter. Although a bystander began cardiopulmonary resuscitation while a pharmacy technician called 911—and first responders performed ventilation, chest compressions, and defibrillation minutes later—she was pronounced dead at the ER. Coroners later determined she had severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with 99% blockage of the left descending coronary artery—but that if she had visited the ER sooner, she might have received life-saving treatment.

The experts stressed that many retail pharmacies have recently reduced staffing, increased prescription volume, and introduced corporate goals aimed at boosting profits. Many current and former CVS employees have stated that these goals have bred a culture of intimidation that has pressured and conditioned employees to work through illnesses, injuries, family emergencies, and mental health issues. Following Ms. Anderson’s death, a new social media campaign featuring the hashtag “#SheWaited” addressed the crisis, advocated for better working conditions at retail pharmacies, and urged employees to put their needs before the needs of corporations. Her family also raised awareness for cardiovascular disease and the significance of seeking immediate treatment for concerning symptoms. In an effort to eliminate the conditions that led to Ms. Anderson’s death, Haley Howard, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Manchester University, began teaching future pharmacists that if they can’t look after themselves, they can’t care for their patients. “Pharmacists need to be in safe working environments. I wanted to share with my students and say, ‘This stuff happens in pharmacy, and it shouldn’t be happening,’” concluded Dr. Howard.