A recent study from USC and UC Berkeley reveals a sharp rise in pharmacy closures across the U.S., with nearly one-third of pharmacies shut down since 2010. This growing trend is particularly affecting Black and Latino neighborhoods, where the closure rates are higher. The surge in closures threatens access to essential healthcare services, especially as more pharmacies are expected to close in the coming years.

BulletsIn

• Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. pharmacies have closed since 2010, causing a significant decline in access to healthcare.
• One-third of U.S. counties experienced a net decline in pharmacies between 2010 and 2021, impacting 91.6 million people.
• Pharmacy closures accelerated from 2018 due to industry consolidation and the merging of chains with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
• Black and Latino neighborhoods face disproportionately higher pharmacy closure rates (37.5% and 35.6%) compared to predominantly White neighborhoods (27.7%).
• Independent pharmacies, often excluded from PBM networks, are more likely to close than chain pharmacies.
• States like Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, and New York saw more than half of their counties lose pharmacies.
• The closures are endangering access to prescription medications and emergency care.
• Researchers urge policymakers to focus on expanding pharmacy participation in networks, especially for Medicaid and Medicare plans.
• With further closures anticipated, experts warn that communities most at risk must be identified and supported.
• The study highlights the need for policies that preserve essential pharmacy services, particularly as the scope of pharmacy services expands.