PHARMACISTS across the nation have reported feeling stressed and burnt out over their jobs in the post-pandemic era, and one CVS pharmacist was no different.
Ashleigh Anderson dedicated her life to her patients, and made the ultimate sacrifice when she prioritized her job over a health emergency, leading to her heartbreaking, devastating death.
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Who was CVS pharmacist Ashleigh Anderson?
Ashleigh Anderson, 41, grew up around Lafayette, Indiana.
She was the oldest child and only daughter of Larry Anderson and his wife, Nancy.
Growing up, friends called her "the smartest person in any room," and she graduated high school as class valedictorian, as reported by USA Today.
While attending Purdue University, Anderson considered pursuing medicine and veterinary studies.
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In 2004, she earned a doctorate of pharmacy at just 24 years old.
Anderson began working at CVS shortly after, and would spend 17 years working at their pharmacies across multiple stores.
She quickly became a manager, and managers at other stores would even send their pharmacists to Columbus to train under her.
Anderson even won the company's highest honor, the Paragon Award.
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In August 2013, she ended up transferring from her busy Columbus store to a CVS location in Greensburg, Indiana, where she worked overnight shifts.
Despite her previous stints as a manager, she enjoyed the flexibility of being a regular staff pharmacist.
It allowed her to "clock in, clock out," and go home to enjoy her time with her family, her boyfriend, Joe Bowman, and her basset hounds.
Her "final" CVS workplace was located in Seymour, near her and Bowman's new home in Henryville.
She spent 18 months at the Seymour CVS, bonding with her co-worker, pharmacy tech Khandie Tharp.
Upon hearing the news of her in-store collapse, Tharp had rushed to the hospital the day Anderson was admitted.
“I wanted her to know that somebody was there for her,” Tharp said, adding, “I was there for her.”
What happened to Ashleigh Anderson?
On September 10, 2021, Ashleigh Anderson felt sick.
She had chest and jaw pain, nausea, and cold sweats.
"I think I am having a heart attack," she texted her boyfriend, Bowman.
Anderson was used to working in a high-stress environment like a pharmacy.
For months, she had been filling prescriptions and managing patients without bathroom or lunch breaks.
That morning, she was the only pharmacist on duty, which meant that if she left, she would have to close up the pharmacy unless she found another pharmacist to replace her.
After she couldn't get in touch with her boss, Anderson texted his assistant.
“I know this sounds crazy but I am having symptoms of a heart attack," she wrote.
"Can you get someone here long enough for me to go to the ER and get checked out?”
The assistant contacted Anderson, telling her to close the counter, and that a replacement, Bob, was on the way.
Less than 15 minutes later, Anderson collapsed at the pharmacy.
A pharmacy tech called 911, and first responders arrived minutes later.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, the emergency room at Schneck Medical Center.
Despite doing everything they could – including three rounds of epinephrine – it was too late.
Anderson had passed away.
She was later diagnosed with "severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with 99% blockage of her left descending coronary artery," known commonly as a widowmaker heart attack, according to USA Today.
“If she had gone in quickly when she realized she was having a heart attack, the artery would have been opened up, and she most likely would have survived,” said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and the executive vice president of Scripps Research.
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What did CVS say following Ashleigh Anderson's death?
Anderson's death was a “tragedy that never should have happened," according to Michael DeAngelis, executive director of corporate communications for CVS.
“It's impossible for me to comment on why Ashleigh made the decision she made,” DeAngelis said.
“I think, by and large, pharmacists are highly dedicated health care professionals, and I would not be surprised if there are pharmacists who have the mindset of, ‘I need to keep taking care of my patients,’ versus ‘I’m afraid of being punished by my employer.’”
Shortly after USA Today published an investigative report highlighting what had happened to Ashleigh Anderson, CVS Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah sent an internal memo to employees at CVS retail organizations.
Shane Jerominski, another pharmacist, shared the memo on X, formerly Twitter.
"The absolutely tone deaf message that went out this morning to all CVS teams in response to the USA Today piece about Ashleigh Anderson," wrote Jerominski, alongside the hashtag #TwitterRx and a screenshot of the memo.
Shah's memo began by addressing the "team" as a whole.
"Our store-based teams are the heart of our company," he wrote.
"Every day our dedicated pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and front store colleagues work to provide our patients and consumers with high quality care and outstanding service."
Shah then went on to discuss the implications of the USA Today article, and to highlight Anderson's contributions to CVS.
"Recently, an article in USA Today discussed the tragic death of one of our colleagues.
"All of us at CVS Health were deeply saddened by the death of Ashleigh Anderson in September 2021.
"She was an outstanding pharmacist who was committed to her patients, respected by her co-workers and served her community.
"As we reflect on this article, I want to stress that my leadership team and I are deeply committed to a few guiding principles.
Shah listed out three of those principles, including "fostering a culture of safety for our patients, customers and colleagues, creating an environment built on two-way dialogue," and "elevating and advancing the practice of pharmacy."
Shah also mentioned that CVS is "making sustained investments to provide a more balanced, positive work environment."
The reason for these investments, Shah wrote, was "because of what our store-based teams have told [CVS leadership teams]."
Shah then described what those "investments" would be, including "enhancing technology to support patient safety" and "introducing digital innovations that improve the customer experience and help balance workload."
Shah pledged that CVS would also be "maintaining staffing hours even during slower periods, increasing wages and bonuses and creating a more sustainable reimbursem*nt model."
Before signing off, Shah reiterated that he was "proud of the work we do and honored to lead this team."
Social media users, including other pharmacists, shared their thoughts on the memo on X.
"I hadn't heard her story. Absolutely tragic," tweeted one user.
"And this memo sounds like 'we are going to replace pharmacists with technology' and not like 'we are going to appropriately staff pharmacies to accommodate workload," they added.
"CVS's greed is out of control. I've spoken to many pharmacists and staff. They are burnt out. CVS RX insurance is theft," wrote another user.
"They don't care, full stop. This is the worst of capitalism. Pharmacy profits must be capped," they added.
CVS Health's Q4 revenue "reportedly increased to $93.8 billion," up 11.9%, while "revenue for the full year was up 10.9% compared to the prior year.
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In a statement released to additional media outlets, including Fox Business and The Daily Mail, CVS said it does not want employees to stay at work if they are sick, become ill, or experience a health emergency.
CVS also hopes employees report any workplace issues "anonymously if they choose, without fear of retaliation, so [CVS leadership] can promptly investigate and take action as needed."
