In October, Rite Aid announced would close all remaining stores, following a multi-year trend of major drugstore chains like Walgreens and CVS eliminating thousands of locations.
When the only pharmacy nearby closes, where can patients go? For a growing number of communities, the answer is: far from it.
Nearly 16 million People in the United States live in a pharmacy desert and travel a significant distance to get to the nearest pharmacy. This limited access to medications, vaccines, and health visits, already affecting 46% of counties nationwide, will only increase as closures continue.
After two decades running a community pharmacy, I have seen first-hand how patients turn to us as their primary health care point of contact. Now, as more national chains close their doors, a person’s local pharmacy may be the only point of contact and a fundamental lifeline.
Independent pharmacies do not need to reinvent their model to address the impact of pharmacy deserts. Its relationship-driven approach, supported by innovative technology, offers a scalable solution for care delivery and a key access point for healthcare partners facing the loss of big pharmacies.
The true cost of pharmacy closures
It’s easy to view pharmacy closures as a minor disruption, but the effects extend far beyond delays in prescription refills. In many cases, the loss of a pharmacy means the loss of a trusted healthcare provider.
In fact, 58% of Americans say they are likely to visit a local pharmacy to treat a non-emergency problem, and 81% say they trust a pharmacist to diagnose minor illnesses and prescribe medications.
Pharmacists also remain key drivers of patient medication adherence, and pharmacist-led interventions have been shown to significantly improve medication adherence in chronic diseases. Without this support, patients may face a increased risk of disease progression and increased health care costs resulting from medication noncompliance.
When pharmacies disappear, so does a vital source of preventative and non-emergency care. However, large pharmacy chains are not the only providers equipped to offer these services.
Independent pharmacies already serve more than 15 million patients throughout the United States, and two thirds They serve areas with populations of less than 50,000 inhabitants. Their role will only intensify as national chains pull back, particularly in communities most at risk of experiencing healthcare gaps. In fact, patients age 65 and older, those from low-income households, and those living in rural communities are more likely to trust independent pharmacies to access pharmacy services.
Because independent pharmacies provide care tailored to the needs of their population, they are uniquely positioned to fill the void left by their larger counterparts. However, sustainably expanding services to meet this demand will require greater investment in advanced technology that many independent pharmacies have already adopted.
Why independent pharmacies are set to expand their role in community care
As pharmacy deserts increase, independent pharmacies are becoming an access point to essential care. By combining their community-focused approach with strategic digital tools, they address access gaps in the following ways:
- Meet patients where they are
Independent pharmacies adapt to the unique challenges of their communities. Unlike large chains that stick to standard offerings, independent pharmacies often adapt their services to local demand.
An example is medication. adhesion packaging. Instead of delivering medications in an unsorted vial, many independent pharmacies arrange individual prepackaged medications that are clearly labeled with the date and time of the dose.
This offer is valuable for people who suffer from chronic illnesses and may have difficulty keeping track of multiple prescriptions. Additionally, many independent pharmacies offer this service to long-term care facilities, where staff administer complex medication regimens for multiple patients.
Additionally, they could provide delivery services, helping to improve access for populations with mobility issues or people in assisted living facilities. For some independent pharmacies, that delivery zone can extend more than 100 miles, allowing them to also extend personalized care to patients far beyond their local footprint.
- Leverage trusted relationships and provide targeted support
Pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare providers in a community. Unlike other care settings that require appointments, in a pharmacy patients can walk in and receive guidance on the spot.
Independent pharmacies often outperform chain and mail-order pharmacies in their ability to connect with patients and address questions about medication side effects, compliance challenges, or cost-related barriers to care. But to have these conversations, pharmacists need support in juggling competing demands behind the counter.
In this case, technology can streamline patient identification, offering specific clinical alerts that highlight care needs. For example, if a patient is flagged for a delayed vaccine, a pharmacist can initiate a timely conversation about eligibility and schedule an appointment.
Supported by these real-time alert systems, independent pharmacists are empowered to intervene earlier and engage patients to access key services.
- Reinforcing care through multi-touch communication
Independent pharmacies can expand their reach beyond pharmacy walls through consistent multichannel communication with patients.
For example, a pharmacist could send a text or email update with medication management tips or information about available health screenings, such as COVID, flu, and blood pressure tests. For patients who live far from your pharmacy, these updates can help you intentionally plan visits and come prepared with questions about medication timing or available preventive services.
While independent pharmacies excel at providing personalized care, multichannel communication extends that care between visits. Timely and relevant disclosure helps patients stay informed and reinforces the pharmacy as a proactive partner in their health journey.
Strengthening the future of local care
The decline of large pharmacy chains leaves many communities at risk of losing essential health services. However, it is important to remember that independent pharmacies offer more than a temporary solution to this problem.
During my years working as a community pharmacist, I have seen how a timely conversation at the counter or specific compliance interventions can alter a person’s care process. Ultimately, the strength of today’s independent pharmacies lies in a combination of human touch and technology-based knowledge.
By combining personalized service with tools that highlight care needs in real time, independent pharmacies help patients not only adhere to treatment but also play an active role in managing their health.
About Kristen Hartsell
Kristen Hartzell, Pharm.D., is vice president of clinical services at RedSail Technologieswhere he leads initiatives that connect pharmaceutical care, technology and patient outcomes across a national network of independent pharmacies. A practicing community pharmacist and co-owner of Hartzell’s Pharmacy in Catasauqua, PA, she unites real-world experience with strategic innovation to help pharmacies thrive amid change.
