Mapping the crisis: How data can help fix America’s growing pharmacy deserts

Editorial Note: Maggie’s article first appeared on pharmaphorum. The full article is linked below.

As major pharmacy chains like Walgreens continue to close hundreds of stores nationwide, pharmacy deserts are increasing across the US. These closures put medication access, affordability, and adherence at greater risk.

Nearly one in seven Americans already live in a pharmacy desert, and that number continues to climb, particularly in rural and low-income communities. These closures, compounded by the decline of independent pharmacies, create a critical gap in care. While mail-order and mobile delivery options can help, the most important step is understanding where these gaps exist and who they affect the most.

Today, 45% of US counties meet the definition of a pharmacy desert. That means large segments of the population must travel significant distances to access essential medications. But solving this challenge requires more than simply counting how many pharmacies exist in a given area. True visibility comes from layering pharmacy locations on top of geospatial data, such as population density, income levels, transportation access, insurance coverage, and health burden. These insights allow pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), healthcare organisations, and local leaders to make strategic, community-focused decisions that expand access and close disparities.

The expanding pharmacy desert crisis

The rise of pharmacy deserts is a growing national concern with serious implications for health equity. On average, per 10,000 residents, rural counties have just 1.72 pharmacies, while large metropolitan areas have over 78. When even a single pharmacy closes in a rural area, the impact is immediate. Patients may face reduced medication adherence, worsening chronic conditions, more frequent emergency room visits, and increased out-of-pocket costs.