April 2010 Summary. The ADI for April 2010 is 3.37—lower than the 3.42 registered last month. One year ago, the ADI was at 3.72—much higher than this month’s ADI. This month there were no states at the highest level of shortage or unmet demand which is “5”. There were 20 states at the “4” level (some difficulty filling open positions)—2 more than last month. The number of states at the “3” level (balance between supply and demand) was 30—one less than last month. There was 1 state at the “2” level (demand is less than the pharmacist supply available)—Hawaii. There were no states at the “1” level (demand much less than the pharmacist supply available). Overall, 48% of the U.S. population was residing in states where filling open positions was at least moderately difficult in April 2010. This is only the second month since the ADI survey started in August 1999 that more than half the US population (51.6%) is living in states where the supply and demand for pharmacist positions are in balance.

Regional and Divisional Demand Indices. This month the South had the highest level of unmet demand at 3.41, down from 3.48 last month. The West had the next highest level at 3.39 down from 3.45 last month. The Midwest was next at 3.34, down from 3.36 last month. The Northeast was lowest at 3.30, down from 3.32 last month. The gap that had long persisted between the South/West and Midwest/Northeast has completely disappeared although the rank ordering for the regions has remained similar.

The East South Central division (AL, KY, MS, TN) had the highest unmet demand at 3.58, down from 3.65 last month. Next was the Pacific division (AZ, CA, WA, OR, AK, HI) at 3.57, down form 3.63 last month. The Mountain Division (CO, ID, UT, WY, MT, NM, NV, AZ) again had the lowest level of unmet demand at 2.99, down from 3.04 last month. Next lowest was the New England division (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) at 3.04, down from 3.09 last month. Values for all regions and divisions are on the ADI Website, www.pharmacymanpower.com

State Demand Indices. In April 2010, there were no states with a demand level rounding to "5= high demand”. Wisconsin, New Mexico and Washington were the states with the highest ADI level at 4.00. There were 20 states at the “4” level (some difficulty filling open positions) and 30 states at the “3” level (balance between supply and demand). States at the “4” level included Wisconsin, New Mexico, Washington, Maine, West Virginia, New York, North Dakota, District of Columbia, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Louisiana, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, California and Oregon. There was 1 state at the “2” level (demand is less than pharmacist supply available): Hawaii. There were no states at the “1” level (demand is much less than the pharmacist supply available). Read all individual state ratings on the state map at the ADI Website, , www.pharmacymanpower.com

Demand Indices by Population. In April 2009, 0.0% of the U.S. population lived in states at the "5" level, the same as last month. With 20 states in the “4” category this month, the percent population at the “4” level was 48%, up from 45.1% last month. This month, 51.6% of the population lived in states at the "3" level, down from 54.3% last month. 0.4% lived in states at the “2” level, down from 0.6% last month. 0% lived in states at the "1" level. Overall, in April 2010, 48% of the U.S. population was residing in states where filling open positions was at least moderately difficult; over half the U.S. population was living in states were there was a balance in the supply of and demand for pharmacists and <1% in states where supply somewhat exceeded demand.

Demand Indices by Practice Setting. This month's community pharmacy demand index was 2.86, down slightly from 2.89 last month. The demand for institutional pharmacist positions was 3.31, down from 3.33 last month. Integrated health systems with both institutional and community positions, which generally experience higher demand, were at 3.56, the same as last month. The remaining ratings from contract pharmacy firms and other practice sites were too small in number to report.

Thank you for your continued participation and interest in the Aggregate Demand Index project.
- Katherine Knapp

Katherine K. Knapp, PhD
Professor and Dean
College of Pharmacy, Touro University - California
1310 Johnson Lane, Mare Island
Vallejo, CA 94592
Phone: 707.638.5221; FAX: 707.638.5266
Email: kknapp@touro.edu or kkknapp@msn.com