As the world continues to evolve, society is increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity across all spheres of life. Not only does the inclusion of a wide array of perspectives and experience make sense for increased equity and social progress, but it’s also good business.
Research shows that companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians. Furthermore, gender-diverse businesses are 15% more likely to outperform financially above the industry median.
Women have made significant gains pursuing careers across sectors, including in pharmacy. In the middle of the twentieth century, women accounted for 15% of pharmacists in the United States. Today, that number is an estimated 65%. As glass ceilings shatter, it’s important to recognize the important contributions women pharmacists make on a daily basis when delivering quality care to patients in communities, nationwide, and across the globe.
Importance of Women in Healthcare
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the importance of female involvement in the healthcare industry, going so far as to say that “female healthcare workers drive global health.” A report from the same year found that women have driven 80% of the overall growth in the U.S. healthcare field since the beginning of the twentieth century, and account for three-quarters of full time, year-round healthcare workers today.
Women are the primary consumers and decision makers in the healthcare market, and comprise nearly half of its workforce. Over 60% of employees entering the healthcare industry are females, compared to the 50% average in sectors across the country. Women play a pivotal part in the delivery and support of healthcare in the United States, and increasingly assume roles at the industry’s highest levels, including Emma Walmsley (CEO of GlaxoSmithKline and the first woman to lead a global pharma company), Laura Dietch (president and CEO of BioTrace), and Gail Boudreaux (president and CEO of Anthem).
Independent Pharmacy Ownership
Despite major gains in gender parity across the healthcare sector – and more specifically, in the pharmacy realm – independent pharmacy ownership is an area that is sorely lacking in equal representation.
While 65% of pharmacists may be women, only 25% of pharmacy owners are female. Despite the lack of gender parity in independent pharmacy ownership, there is still a wealth of opportunity for women seeking to jump into the business. Owning one’s own business can offer more flexibility, work-life balance, and financial opportunities.
