News made it here to Australia over the 700 job cuts imposed within the Boots head office and support network noting that the job cuts will not be coming from within any retail locations. This news follows the Boots merger with US chain Walgreens and whilst not affecting retail locations one must be sceptical as to how long retail jobs will be safe.
While the merger is a first step towards a global pharmacy-led chain ongoing pressure of on continued profitability will most surely squeeze the labour markets and pay rates within Boots retail locations.
Is this a reality?
Will the knowledge of the 700 redundancies be picked up within the industry? Is the industry keeping its best people?
How will the merger play out? Is it a step in the right direction for pharmacy?
Or a further corporatisation of what was once a health advisor led profession?