Access to pharmacies becoming latest health hurdle for residents of over half of US counties
Ohio State researchers found that Americans in nearly half of all counties live in what’s called a pharmacy desert, meaning drug stores are nonexistent within a ten-mile radius.
(InvestigateTV) — Hospitals, ambulances and maternity care are all falling further out of reach as health care availability becomes more difficult for millions of Americans.
A recent study shows pharmacy access is the latest health care hurdle. Ohio State researchers found that Americans in nearly half of all counties live in what’s called a pharmacy desert, meaning drug stores are nonexistent within a ten-mile radius.
That’s thousands of communities, all without local access to essential medications and in some cases, basic health care services.
Experts say the trend has been getting worse in recent years, with widespread closures hitting more than just family-owned pharmacies.
Large chains have been closing retail stores in droves, too.
Reporter Kristin Crowley takes us to one town where residents say it could only be a matter of time before they fall into the same fate as so many communities before them.
The following statements were provided to our investigators during this investigation:
CVS HEALTH
“CVS Pharmacy continues to be the largest retail pharmacy in the U.S., with more than 9,000 locations nationwide and offering unmatched access, engagement and expertise. Ongoing improvements in customer and colleague satisfaction and higher colleague retention reflect the investments we’ve made in our stores and our people.
As we first announced in November 2021, we’re realigning our retail footprint, reducing store density and optimizing our existing stores and pharmacies. We closed 900 stores between 2022 and 2024. Store closure decisions are based on several factors, including population shifts, consumer buying patterns, store and pharmacy density, pharmacy care access, and community health needs. We’re focused on ensuring we have the right kinds of stores and the right number of stores in the right locations.
We’re closing locations strategically to better meet consumers’ health, wellness and pharmacy care needs – as announced more than three years ago – not in reaction to industry pressures. Even after the realignment work, 85% of people in the U.S. will still live within 10 miles of a CVS Pharmacy. And, while we’re closing certain locations, we’re also opening stores and pharmacies in areas where there’s a need. In fact, we opened 100 stores between 2022 and 2024 and have plans to open nearly 30 CVS Pharmacy locations, including those inside Target stores, in 2025.”
WALGREENS
“The decision to close any store is not one we take lightly. Our goal is to always provide essential services to the communities we serve. However, increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures are weighing on our ability to cover the costs associated with keeping our pharmacies open. We understand the concerns about the potential impact to pharmacy access. When we close a store, we take steps to help the community find services they need by automatically transferring prescriptions to the nearest pharmacy, providing free 1–2-day delivery prescription delivery, and working with local leadership to help fill any vacancies after our closure.”
RITE AID
“Rite Aid is committed to improving access to critical health services across our markets. Our small-format store pilot is specifically designed to provide access to pharmacy services in “pharmacy deserts” and underserved communities, and they are strategically placed in areas that don’t have nearby access to pharmacy-related health care services. This is another important step in our work as a modern pharmacy that prioritizes customer relationships with a local pharmacist.
As we routinely assess our footprint, we will continue to conduct research to help ensure we do not create pharmacy deserts in the communities we serve. We make every effort to ensure our customers have access to health services, whether at Rite Aid or other nearby pharmacy.”
PHARMACEUTICAL CARE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
“The truth is, PBMs frequently reimburse independent pharmacies at higher rates than retail chain pharmacies. Policies that mandate even higher reimbursement rates and dispensing fees to benefit independent pharmacies would require consumers and employers to pay more for prescription drugs.
We can’t ignore the reality that consumers have the ultimate decision-making power when it comes to where to fill prescriptions and whether to do it at a pharmacy or via home delivery mail service.”
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