U.S. retailer Wal-Mart announced on Wednesday that, amid the expansion of its digital and pharmacy healthcare services, it has elevated 3,000 pharmacy technician positions to operational team lead roles, increasing their average hourly wage from $22 to $28.
The company also stated that pharmacy technicians, who currently earn an average of $22 per hour, will become eligible for hourly wages of up to $40.50.
This initiative aims to expand staffing and strengthen local pharmacy teams across its 4,600 locations, while also enhancing digital services such as Better Care Services, the utilization of Eli Lilly's Lilly Direct program, and the expansion of pharmacy delivery services.
Competitor Amazon has also been making inroads into the pharmacy market, expanding same-day prescription delivery to more U.S. cities and, beginning this month, offering Novo Nordisk's new weight-loss drug Wegovy through insurance plans, with a cash price starting at approximately $149 per month.
Wal-Mart indicated that team leads will help oversee daily pharmacy operations and provide support to pharmacy managers and pharmacists, with the potential to earn up to $42 per hour (excluding bonuses), depending on the work location.
In November, the company raised its annual forecast for the second time, following another strong quarterly performance driven by a surge in online sales, which attracted more affluent shoppers with the convenience of fast delivery.
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