December 2009 Summary. The ADI for December 2009 is 3.45, down from 3.66 last month. One year ago, the ADI was at 3.81—very 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”—although Wisconsin remained at the top of the list at 4.29. There were only 20 states at the “4” level (some difficulty filling open positions)—down from 32 last month. The number of states at the “3” level (balance between supply and demand) was 30—up from 19 last month. There was one 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, 47.7% of the U.S. population was residing in states where filling open positions was at least moderately difficult in December 2009—down from 67.8% last month.

Regional and Divisional Demand Indices. This month the West had the highest level of unmet demand at 3.64, down substantially from 3.88 last month. The South had the next highest level at 3.49, down substantially from last month’s 3.71. The Midwest was next at 3.40, down from 3.63 last month. The Northeast was lowest at 3.18, down from 3.31 last month.

The Pacific division (AZ, CA, WA, OR, AK, HI) had the highest level of unmet demand at 3.90, down from 4.12 last month. Next was the West South Central division (AR, LA, OK, TX) at 3.72, down from 3.92 last month. There was a tie for lowest level of unmet demand between the New England division (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) and the Mountain Division (CO, ID, UT, WY, MT, NM, NV, AZ). Both registered demand indices of 3.04, down from 3.13 (New England) and 3.33 (Mountain). Values for all regions and divisions are on the ADI Website, www.pharmacymanpower.com

State Demand Indices. In December 2009, there were no states with a demand level rounding to "5= high demand”. Wisconsin remained the state with the highest ADI level at 4.29. Next highest were West Virginia and California. 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): There was one state at the “2” (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 December 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 47.7%, down from 67.8% last month. This month, 51.8% of the population lived in states at the "3" level, up from 32.3% last month. 0.4% lived in the state at the “2” level and 0% at the "1" level. Overall, in December 2009, 47.7% of the U.S. population was residing in states where filling open positions was at least moderately difficult and, for the first time since the ADI Survey began in 1999, more than half of the U.S. population was living in states were there was a balance in the supply of and demand for pharmacists.

Demand Indices by Practice Setting. This month's community pharmacy demand index was 2.64, down substantially from 3.22 last month. The demand for institutional pharmacist positions was 3.06, the same as last month. Integrated health systems with both institutional and community positions, which generally experience higher demand, were at 3.62, down from 4.65 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