Job prospects Hospital Pharmacist in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a major labour shortage for Pharmacists in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region. There were far more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Methodology

The employment outlook will be moderate for Pharmacists (NOC 31120) in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation depends mainly on the full scope of practice, the volume of prescription drugs and the development of new drugs.

Extending powers to members of this profession who work in pharmacies and have been authorized to take on new activities to make health care more accessible for the public is expected to create an additional need for pharmacists. These new activities include primary care for common illnesses, such as dermatitis, seasonal allergies and minor infections.

The growing and aging population is creating a greater need for drug management, investments in research to develop new drugs and in health care that should increase the demand for this occupation.            

According to the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec, there is a significant shortage of workers in the occupation in local pharmacies to meet the needs of the population. Opening hours (evenings and weekends) sometimes have to be reduced due to the difficulty in hiring new recruits for positions requiring such availability. Many hospital positions are also difficult to fill.

Here are some key facts about Pharmacists in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region:

• Approximately 370 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45): 87%
  • Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 13%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology