Panama suffering from pharmacist shortage

Panama is suffering from an acute shortage of pharmacists according to the Pan American Health Organization.

The standards of practice guidelines of the organization indicate that Panama should have 1,839 pharmacists, but there are only 1,114 — a deficit of 725 professionals in the field.

A pharmacist  employed by  the governmentearns about $700  a month n so some choose to migrate to the private sector, or serve medical secretaries  to improve their income

The Pharmacy and Drug Directorate of the Ministry of Health reported that it is reviewing the pay scale to increase the monthly payment to $1,000.

Experts acknowledge that  demand for pharmacists exceeds the annual 120 graduates from universities in the country.