<p>My husband graduated from pharmacy school in the mid 1990’s. At that time there was a huge shortage of pharmacists. In our area now, there is certainly not a shortage, but not a ton of unemployed pharmacists either. The pay is still excellent. Lots more pharmacy schools now. Also some demographic changes. The baby boom generation has begun to retire. My husband is busier than ever at work (retail). What OP described is accurate as far as working conditions. The recession closed a lot of corner drug stores in our area. Demands on the employed increased, and we keep waiting for things to turn the corner in terms of working conditions. His employers used to trip all over themselves to cover his time off (even though they expected 12 hour shifts with no break of any kind), now he’s expected to ask for time off six months in advance. My husband hates to make people wait longer than absolutely necessary for their prescriptions, and will bend over backwards to help his patients with medication or insurance problems, take an interest in their lives, and answer their questions. It’s tough these days. He certainly appreciates those who treat him like the professional he is, and are reasonable in their expectations.</p>