The closure of independent pharmacies are negatively affecting underserved communities throughout America, according to a session presented at the American Pharmacists Association 2025 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, provided an in-depth look at pharmacy closures, examined how they impact communities, and underscored the dire need to address pharmacy deserts. “We know just how frequently or often patients are coming to see pharmacists in both Medicare populations and commercial payers; it’s about twice as often as patients are seeing their primary care providers,” he said.
In fact, a previous Journal of the American Pharmacists Association study found that community pharmacies are highly accessible health care destinations, specifically based on drive time, in both urban and suburban areas. “Drive time” takes into account many more factors that translate to pharmacy access, including public transportation access, speed limits, traffic lights, time of day, and more. Berenbrok also noted that not all patients visit the pharmacy closest to where they live, as some patients choose pharmacies close to their work or children’s school.
How to Address Pharmacy Deserts
Though it’s difficult to pin down a clear definition of what constitutes a pharmacy desert, the need to address them is vital. A variety of federal policy reforms may begin to ease these growing challenges, including the need to increase pharmacist reimbursement, further recognition of pharmacists as providers, and increase the services pharmacists are able to bill for. Alleviating this problem will also be a gradual effort through education, advocacy, and community-based services. But these pharmacies won’t be able to effect change alone. Berenbrok looked to the future with hope as well as skepticism.
“So, how do we make sure that we’re protecting these pharmacies,” he asked. “Are there ways to increase reimbursement for those areas in need? Can there be government subsidiaries for pharmacies? These are all things that people are thinking about, writing about, and advocating for.”
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