What You Should Know:
A silent crisis is unfolding across the United States, as pharmacy deserts proliferate, leaving millions of Americans without convenient access to essential medications and vital healthcare services, according to new data from GoodRx.
– The expanding problem is not merely an inconvenience; it represents a significant threat to public health, exacerbating existing health disparities and straining an already burdened healthcare system.
Defining Pharmacy Deserts & Growing Impact
A census tract is considered a pharmacy desert if the average driving time to the three closest pharmacies exceeds 15 minutes for more than 50% of the county’s population. This definition, adapted from the USDA’s concept of food deserts, acknowledges the critical role of timely access to essential resources.
Currently, a staggering 48.4 million Americans, or 1 in 7, reside in areas designated as pharmacy deserts. These regions are characterized by a lack of easily accessible retail pharmacies, forcing residents to endure lengthy commutes to obtain their prescribed medications. This figure has alarmingly increased from 41.2 million in 2021, underscoring the rapid erosion of pharmacy access nationwide. 45% of U.S. counties are now classified as pharmacy deserts, demonstrating the widespread nature of this issue.
Certain states have been disproportionately affected by the pharmacy shortage. The highest percentages of pharmacy deserts are found in:
- Alaska (82%)
- North Dakota (81%)
- Montana (79%)
- South Dakota (74%)
- Nebraska (70%)
- Kansas (68%)
- Wyoming (61%)
The Impact of Pharmacy Closures
Over the past five years, more than 1,300 pharmacies have shuttered, contributing to the expansion of these deserts. The continued closure of pharmacies exacerbates existing disparities in healthcare access, making it more difficult for individuals to obtain necessary medications and adhere to prescribed treatments.
Some states have experienced particularly significant increases in pharmacy deserts due to closures. Between 2021 and 2024:
- Ohio saw a dramatic increase of 410,000 residents living in pharmacy deserts, reaching nearly 2 million affected individuals.
- North Carolina witnessed nearly 1 million additional residents affected by pharmacy closures.
- Oregon and Washington faced a surge in pharmacy deserts, particularly impacting rural and lower-income communities.
- Michigan and Pennsylvania experienced widening disparities between urban and rural pharmacy access, with smaller towns losing their last remaining pharmacies.
- California, despite its urban centers, has seen pharmacy access decline in rural regions, particularly in the Central Valley and northern parts of the state.
Who Is Most Affected?
Certain demographics bear the brunt of this crisis. Nearly 90% of those living in pharmacy deserts are in rural areas, with 56.8% of all rural residents lacking access to a nearby pharmacy.
- Older Adults: In pharmacy deserts, more than 22.3% of residents are aged 65 or older, a group that heavily relies on prescriptions for chronic conditions.
- Indigenous Communities: American Indian and Alaska Native residents are overrepresented in pharmacy deserts (3.7% versus 1.4% in non-desert areas), reflecting long-standing healthcare access disparities in tribal regions.
- Economic Disparities: Pharmacy deserts tend to have lower median household incomes ($59,633 versus $66,184 in non-desert areas) and higher rates of uninsured adults (14.4% versus 12.9%), making medication affordability an even greater challenge.
Addressing the Crisis
As pharmacy deserts expand, the healthcare system must adapt to prevent worsening health outcomes due to medication inaccessibility. Potential solutions include:
- Expanding Mail-Order Pharmacy Options: Encouraging the use of mail-order services can help mitigate travel challenges for those in pharmacy deserts.
- Increasing Pharmacist Scope of Practice: Allowing pharmacists to provide a broader range of healthcare services, such as vaccinations and basic health screenings, could help offset the impact of pharmacy closures.
- Investing in Telehealth Solutions: Virtual consultations and digital prescription services can improve access for those living in remote areas.
Without proactive measures, millions more Americans will face increasing challenges in accessing essential medications.
