Gone, Gone, Gone: Pharmacy Deserts—and Their Implications for Public Health—Are on the Rise

By Sarabeth Lowe, MPH

Ms. Lowe is a Communication Specialist at the University of Delaware Disaster Research Center.

If you’ve ever been stuck in a line at your local pharmacy, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But before you let out that sigh building in your chest, take a moment to cultivate some patience. Pharmacists do more than dispense medication and vaccinations; they are a wealth of knowledge and uniquely qualified to provide fast, accurate, and reliable medication advice.^1–5 As an added bonus, they’re accessible and one of the most trusted professions in the country.^6,7 In a world where Americans visit their pharmacy nearly twice as often as other healthcare providers and health costs continue to skyrocket, the role of your local pharmacist might be more important than ever.^1–5,7–10 

Even though these professionals are an important pillar of our public health system, pharmacists are easily overlooked and underappreciated. In addition to their considerable work responsibilities, community pharmacy staff also experience high rates of verbal abuse, physical aggression, crime, and other forms of workplace violence, a global trend that continues to rise.^11–13 At the same time, another worrying trend is well underway: the number of pharmacies continues to shrink.

What Is a Pharmacy Desert?

Between 2010 and 2021, more than 26,000 pharmacies in the United States were shuttered – that’s nearly one-third of all retail locations or about one pharmacy in every town in America.^1,3,9,14 Since 2021, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens – 3 of the largest drugstore chains in the country – have closed more than 3,000 locations.^15–17 With more of these closures slated in the coming years, more Americans will be living in pharmacy deserts, a reality that has significant and dangerous implications on public health.^1,3,9,17,18

Much like food deserts – areas where people lack access to affordable, healthy food – “pharmacy desert” is a term used to describe a community with too few pharmacies to support its population.^19–22 The exact definition has evolved over the years to help capture more barriers, such as physical distance, that impede access to these critical health care fronts. According to a 2025 study published in JAMA, 17.7% of Americans live in a pharmacy desert, and nearly 9% of people live in an area served by a single pharmacy. The same study also found that these disparities were especially pronounced in small rural areas and less populous states, including New Hampshire, South Dakota, West Virginia, Maine, and Vermont.^19,20

An Evolving Role

Whether it’s a corporate chain operation or a mom-and-pop business, the role of community pharmacies, and pharmacists, has evolved.^18,23,24 Stores that once served as simple pickup points have evolved into hubs for health, wellness, and retail. The same advancement can be said for the professionals working those storefronts. Pharmacists today do more than dispense prescriptions and consult with physicians and patients; they give vaccinations, advise clients on potential medication interactions, help people manage chronic conditions, perform health screenings, test for infectious diseases, provide access to contraceptives, and educate the public on various health matters.²⁵

The role of pharmacists in preserving public health has been greatly expanded over the years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been true at both the state and federal levels. A bipartisan law aimed at expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, H.R. 3164: Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, is working its way through Congress.^26–28 Some experts say that granting pharmacists full practice authority would be a boon to public health because it could help mitigate the effects of a shrinking pharmacy workforce and compensate for the decrease in primary care providers.^29,30 Such a law could expand access to preventative health services, improve the management of common illnesses and chronic diseases, and streamline testing and treatment for a wide range of conditions.^{23–25,29,30} However, other authorities, including the American Medical Association, argue that expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice (without physician oversight) would lead to “siloed, delayed and incomplete care,” ultimately resulting in worse patient outcomes and higher healthcare costs.²⁶

Why It Matters

In addition to providing all of the services mentioned above, local pharmacies facilitate greater access to healthcare, which is especially relevant and significant because it helps strengthen health equity, a state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health.^{2,4,5,31–34} Achieving this requires more than just throwing resources at a problem—it calls for focused, ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices, remove obstacles to health and healthcare, and eliminate preventable disparities.

A local pharmacist who is already deeply embedded in the community and familiar with its needs can meet people where they are.^35,36 In doing this, pharmacies anchor our health system.³ About one-third of Americans—nearly 100 million people—don’t have a primary care provider.^1,37,38 Local pharmacists help fill that gap. When the neighborhood pharmacy shuts its doors, people lose access to an important healthcare and literacy resource, and they can fall through the cracks. 

Research shows that pharmacy deserts are more common in marginalized and medically underserved communities.^{2,4,5,9,14,18–22,25,31,35} This only reinforces inequities and accelerates health disparities. Missing medication refills might seem inconsequential, but small actions like that have ripple effects across the healthcare system. Pharmacy deserts can lead some people to delay preventive screenings or forgo care altogether. For example, for people with chronic conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, skipping a dose of medication could land them in the hospital or lead to a life-threatening emergency. In 2024, retail pharmacies distributed more than 1.5 million prescriptions of naloxone (Narcan),³⁹ the life-saving overdose prevention drug, and the approval of over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone may have contributed to reduced costs.⁴⁰ In general, pharmacy deserts will lead to poorer health outcomes and disproportionately impact disenfranchised and marginalized populations.^{2–5,9,17–22,31,36,37} Unfortunately, it’s these vulnerable groups that bear the brunt of the consequences. 

What To Do If Your Pharmacy Closes 

Pharmacy closures can be stressful, especially if you take medications regularly or live in an area with limited healthcare options. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to prepare for this possibility. 

Ask where your prescriptions are being transferred. Ideally, you can get this information in advance. If your pharmacy has already closed, try calling the number on the label of your prescription bottle.¹ If it does not automatically connect you to the new location and you still cannot find where your medications have been transferred, contact your prescriber to request that new prescriptions be sent to your chosen pharmacy.

Ask for a 90-day supply. Ask your prescriber to call in a 90-day supply of your medication to help tide you over until you find a new pharmacy. Not all insurance plans cover a 90-day supply of prescription drugs (it often depends on state laws and the type of medication), but it has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic.^41,42

Scout other locations. When selecting a new pharmacy, weigh your options carefully. Ask your prescriber or a local clinic for recommendations. Here are some questions to consider:¹⁸

Is the pharmacy staff adequately supported?

What services do they provide?

What are the pros and cons of choosing a local pharmacy compared to a big-box retailer?

What OTC products/medications do they provide (eg, hearing aids, birth control, etc.)?

Are there any new barriers or advantages (eg, language, wheelchair access, drive-through options, smartphone app, etc.) to consider?

What are the typical wait times and hours of operation? Is a 24-hour pharmacy available nearby?

Which pharmacies accept your insurance?

Explore access options. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether mail-order prescriptions and home delivery options are available. 

Stay organized. Record and maintain a list of your medications and their dosages. You can ask your pharmacy for a printed record of prescriptions that have been filled in the last year; don’t forget to include any OTC medications. Share the list with your new pharmacy to make sure nothing is missed during the transition.¹⁸

Additionally, try to fill all of your prescriptions at the same location so your pharmacist can perform a safety check using your complete medication list.^1,18,43–45 Certain drug interactions can be dangerous.

The Future of Our Pharmacies 

The pressure on the healthcare workforce is pervasive and coming from all directions. Pharmacists are no exception. Like many other healthcare providers, they face high levels of burnout, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.^46,47 They may be stretched even thinner in the coming years. According to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, applications to pharmacy schools fell 64% between 2021 and 2022.^48–50

Despite all of this, pharmacists continue to serve as critical lynchpins in their communities. They’re on the front lines of the healthcare workforce, deeply embedded in the local community and familiar with the unique needs of the people they serve. As trends in closures continue, lawmakers and special interest groups can fight for stronger protections and advancement opportunities for these professionals so that more Americans don’t lose access to their medications, vital health services, and more.¹⁸ This advocacy could turn the tide for public health and make achieving health equity more than a possibility. With this in mind, be patient and gracious the next time you’re standing in line at the pharmacy. Take a deep breath, and don’t forget to thank your pharmacist; they’re bearing more than you think.

Sources

1. Gragnolati A. When the neighborhood pharmacy closes, ‘everything changes’. Unbiased Science. 12 Nov 2025. Accessed 2 Mar 2026. https://theunbiasedscipod.substack.com/p/when-the-neighborhood-pharmacy-closes
2. Strand MA, DiPietro Mager NA, Hall L, et al. Pharmacy contributions to improved population health: expanding the public health roundtable. Prev Chronic Dis. 2020;17:E113.
3. Hayes-Mota G. First opinion: families like mine depend on their local pharmacy for medicine — and for survival. Stat News. 27 Oct 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/pharmacy-desert-walgreens-closes-rite-aid-rural-insulin/
4. DiPietro Mager N. Expanding pharmacy services to support public health. Innov Pharm. 2021;12(4):10.24926/iip.v12i4.4370.
5. Thomson K, Hillier-Brown F, Walton N, et al. The effects of community pharmacy-delivered public health interventions on population health and health inequalities: a review of reviews. Prev Med. 2019;124:98–109.
6. Saad L. Americans’ ratings of US professions stay historically low. Gallup. 13 Jan 2025. Accessed 24 Mar 2026. https://news.gallup.com/poll/655106/americans-ratings-professions-stay-historically-low.aspx
7. Murphy C. Trusted care in every community: a National Pharmacist Day Q&A. UC Irvine News. 8 Jan 2026. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://news.uci.edu/2026/01/08/trusted-care-in-every-community-a-national-pharmacist-day-qa/
8. Zachariah Z. Promoting public trust in pharmaceutical health systems is ‘critical’. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research. 20 Oct 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/promoting-public-trust-in-pharmaceutical-health-systems-is-critical
9. Mammen PE. Rite Aid closures will create pharmacy deserts. And without pharmacies, public health unravels. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 May 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pharmacy-deserts-rite-aid-closures-healthcare-impacts-20250522.html
10. Cox C, Ortaliza J, Wager E, Amin K. Health care costs and affordability. KKF. 8 Oct 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/health-policy-101-health-care-costs-and-affordability
11. Bhagavathula AS, Obamiro K, Hussain Z, Tesfaye W. Workplace violence against pharmacists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2023;63(1):23–31.
12. Burghle A, Abrahamsen B, Lundby C, et al. Customers’ information-seeking behavior prior to community pharmacy visits: a community pharmacy survey. Res Soc Adm Pharm. 2020;16(10):1442–1446.
13. Odeh M, Odeh DM, Alkhader E, Alzyoud D. Pharmacy robberies and occupational safety risks: a national cross-sectional study of community pharmacies. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2026;22:100721.
14. Guadamuz JS, Alexander GC, Kanter GP, Qato DM. More US pharmacies closed than opened in 2018–21; independent pharmacies, those in Black, Latinx communities most at risk. Health Aff (Millwood). 2024;43(12):1703–1711.
15. Hauari G. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are all set to close stores. Hundreds have already shuttered. USA Today. Updated 30 May 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/29/cvs-walgreens-rite-aid-pharmacy-stores-closing/83922662007/
16. Fein AJ. The 2025 Economic Report on US Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Drug Channels Institute. Mar 2025. Accessed 26 Mar 2026. https://drugchannelsinstitute.com/files/2025-PharmacyPBM-DCI-Overview.pdf
17. Aguilar P, Boumgarden P. Public health and private equity: what the Walgreens buyout could mean for the future of pharmacy care. The Conversation. 28 May 2025. Accessed 28 Mar 2026. https://theconversation.com/public-health-and-private-equity-what-the-walgreens-buyout-could-mean-for-the-future-of-pharmacy-care-253598
18. Berenbrok LA, Murphy M, Herbert S. Why community pharmacies are closing – and what to do if your neighborhood location shutters. The Conversation. 15 Feb 2025. Accessed 26 Mar 2026. https://theconversation.com/why-community-pharmacies-are-closing-and-what-to-do-if-your-neighborhood-location-shutters-217775
19. Locklear M. A new metric to identify—and prevent—pharmacy deserts. Yale School of Medicine. 11 Apr 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/a-new-metric-to-identify-prevent-pharmacy-deserts/
20. Mathis WS, Berenbrok LA, Kahn PA, et al. Vulnerability index approach to identify pharmacy deserts and keystone pharmacies. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):e250715.
21. Qato DM, Daviglus ML, Wilder J, et al. ‘Pharmacy deserts’ are prevalent in Chicago’s predominantly minority communities, raising medication access concerns. Health Aff (Millwood). 2014;33(11):1958–1965.
22. Wittenauer R, Shah PD, Bacci JL, Stergachis A. Locations and characteristics of pharmacy deserts in the United States: a geospatial study. Health Aff Sch. 2024;2(4):qxae035.
23. Urick BY, Meggs EV. Towards a greater professional standing: evolution of pharmacy practice and education, 1920–2020. Pharmacy (Basel). 2019;7(3):98.
24. Toklu HZ, Hussain A. The changing face of pharmacy practice and the need for a new model of pharmacy education. J Young Pharm. 2013;5(2):38–40.
25. Roesler AR, Lin-Schweitzer A, Hesse-Fong J, Kocsis SW. Advancing health through expanded access to pharmacy-based care. Milken Institute. 22 Jul 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/reports/advancing-health-through-expanded-access-pharmacy-based-care
26. Garvey G. House, Senate bills would expand pharmacists’ scope of practice. American Medical Association. 14 Aug 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/scope-practice/house-senate-bills-would-expand-pharmacists-scope-practice
27. Cantrell S, Halpern L. Expert: ECAPS Act could sustain pharmacists’ public health role postpandemic. Pharmacy Times. 2 Sep 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/expert-ecaps-act-could-sustain-pharmacists-public-health-role-postpandemic
28. Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PREPact/pages/default.aspx
29. Frost T, Richards M. Unlocking pharmacist innovation: 2025 policy strategies for full practice authority. Cicero Institute. 20 Aug 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/2025-policy-strategies-for-full-practice-authority/
30. Grossi G. Introduction of ECAPS Act prompts nationwide call to action from pharmacists aimed at Congress. American Journal of Managed Care. 8 May 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/introduction-of-ecaps-act-prompts-nationwide-call-to-action-from-pharmacists-aimed-at-congress  
31. Cathers M. Pharmacy deserts have health equity implications. Pharmacy Today. Oct 2024. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.pharmacist.com/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=515&
    articleid=2642&documentid=955
32. About health equity. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated 5 Feb 2024. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/health-disparities-hiv-std-tb-hepatitis/about/index.html
33. Prentice KR, Beitelshees M, Hill A, Jones CH. Defining health equity: a modern US perspective. iScience. 2024;27(12):111326.
34. Braveman P, Arkin E, Orleans T, et al. What is health equity? Behav Sci Policy. 2018;4:1–14.
35. Kwan N. The impact of pharmacy deserts. US Pharm. 2024;49(4):32–36.
36. Murphy M, Rodis J. The growing crisis of pharmacy Deserts. The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. 28 Apr 2025. Accessed 25 Mar 2026. https://pharmacy.osu.edu/news/growing-crisis-pharmacy-deserts
37. Closing the gap: how community health centers can address the nation’s primary care crisis. National Association of Community Health Centers. Feb 2023. Accessed 28 Mar 2026. https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Closing-the-Primary-Care-Gap_Full-Report_2023_digital-final.pdf
38. Hassanein N. A third of Americans don’t have a primary care provider, report finds. USA Today. Updated 28 Feb 2023. Accessed 30 Mar 2026. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/02/28/americans-lack-primary-care-provider-report/11359096002/
39. Naloxone dispensing rate maps. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated 11 Feb 2026. Accessed 30 Mar 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/data-research/facts-stats/naloxone-dispensing-rate-maps.html
40. Marley GT, Annis IE, Egan KL, et al. Naloxone availability and cost after transition to an over-the-counter product. JAMA Health Forum. 2024;5(7):e241920.
41. Liberman JN, Girdish C. Recent trends in the dispensing of 90-day-supply prescriptions at retail pharmacies: implications for improved convenience and access. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2011;4(2):95–100.
42. Alpern JD, Chomilo N, DeSilva M. Drug-dispensing limits within Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2021;27(10):1489–1493.
43. FDA pharmacists help you use medicines safely. US Food and Drug Administration. Updated 31 Aug 2023. Accessed 31 Mar 2026. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-pharmacists-help-you-use-medicines-safely
44. Tariq RA, Vashisht R, Sinha A, et al. Medication dispensing errors and prevention. StatPearls. Updated 12 Feb 2024. Accessed 1 Apr 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/ 
45. Pharmacist’s role in medication safety. agency for healthcare research and quality. PSNet. 15 Dec 2024. Accessed 31 Mar 2026. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/pharmacists-role-medication-safety
46. Prasad-Reddy L, Kaakeh R, McCarthy BC Jr. Burnout among health system pharmacists: presentation, consequences, and recommendations. Hosp Pharm. 2021;56(4):374–377.
47. Kenny K. Advocate for change to address pharmacy burnout. Pharmacy Times. 16 May 2025. Accessed 1 Apr 2026. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/advocate-for-change-to-address-pharmacy-burnout
48. Macuto Z. Understanding pharmacy school enrollment decline. EAB. 12 Sep 2024. Accessed 31 Mar 2026. https://eab.com/resources/blog/adult-education-blog/understanding-pharmacy-school-enrollment-decline/ 
49. Lopez EJ, Nguyen NT. The pharmacy student population: applications received 2020-21, degrees conferred 2020–21, fall 2021 enrollments. Am J Pharm Educ. 2022;86(6):9228.
50. Reed T. Pharmacies are struggling to refill their own ranks. Axios. 6 Feb 2024. Accessed 31 Mar 2026. https://www.axios.com/2024/02/06/pharmacy-staffing-shortage-burnout