Objective To investigate the current leadership status of public hospital pharmacies, and to provide evidence and suggestions for further improving the performance of public hospital pharmacies. Methods According to our conception of the key characteristics of leadership, we designed a questionnaire to investigate leadership practices among 306 managers and pharmacists working in 74 public hospital pharmacies. We used percentage and proportion for statistical description. Results (1) Over 70% of participants thought that public pharmacies lacked independent decisiveness; power was distributed; and elections were democratic. (2) Nearly 60% thought that public pharmacies lacked effective communication and awareness of service. (3) Nearly 70% thought that leader’s abilities were not exceptional. (4)There were not obvious advantages or disadvantages among the leaders. (5) Half trusted the leaders and thought there should be no change. Conclusion Public hospitals should grant more power to pharmacies to implement effective leadership.