Pharmacy deserts: When distance isn't the only barrier

Millions of Americans live in what are known as “pharmacy deserts” — communities where residents have limited access to a pharmacy. The problem is especially acute in rural areas, low-income urban neighborhoods and regions with aging populations, where closures of independent and chain pharmacies can leave patients traveling long distances for prescriptions, vaccines and basic health care services. For people with chronic illnesses, transportation barriers or tight work schedules, the loss of a local pharmacy can mean delayed medications, missed doses and worsening health outcomes.

The issue has gained attention as major retail pharmacy chains continue to close underperforming locations while independent pharmacies struggle with thin profit margins, staffing shortages and reimbursement pressures. Experts warn that pharmacy deserts can deepen health care disparities, particularly for vulnerable populations who already face challenges accessing medical care. At the same time, pharmacists are increasingly being called on to provide vaccinations, screenings and frontline health advice, making access even more important. A recent study from California Polytechnic State University researchers, published in Risk Analysis, found that even when there is a nearby pharmacy, patients aren’t always going there. Here are the key findings: