Article

Pharmacy deserts: Identifying challenges and addressing gaps in access to healthcare

A growing healthcare crisis

Pharmacies are facing pressure from reimbursement challenges, rising costs, and many other factors that are causing some businesses to close their doors. Pharmacy closure can have a ripple effect on the communities being served that stretches far beyond the inconvenience of having to transfer scripts. Patients also rely on pharmacies for healthcare services and resources. The proximity of the other pharmacies in the area can have a huge impact on patient care.

For example, the number of miles a patient must travel can mean the difference between getting the medications they need or going without. It also means reduced access to care services like immunizations and health screenings. This is especially true for patients in communities that are already underserved or have limited transportation options. It’s happening in rural and urban settings alike, and Cencora is taking steps to help pharmacies navigate this dynamic environment.

Understanding how pharmacy deserts form

This insightful infographic digs deeper into what a pharmacy desert entails and breaks down the many factors that create them.

Data and insights on U.S. pharmacy deserts

This interactive map of the U.S. allows you to click on each state to reveal how many households are in pharmacy deserts and are considered most vulnerable.

Additional insights on pharmacy deserts

Good Neighbor Pharmacy

Supporting and strengthening pharmacies

Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Cencora are helping pharmacies future-proof their business through tireless advocacy for fair reimbursement and Provider Status at both the state and federal levels.

Pharmacy Times

Expert discusses pharmacy deserts, expanding pharmacy access

Jenni Zilka, President, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, talks about the growing challenge of pharmacy deserts and the need to maintain the financial viability of pharmacies so they can continue to serve as accessible healthcare destinations.

Pharmaceutical Commerce

Enhancing pharmacy resilience

In this interview, John Stefankiewicz, VP of Analytics, Cencora, describes the value of advocacy and other solutions needed to enable pharmacy access in underserved areas.

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Have more questions about pharmacy deserts?

We’re working closely with our partners across the healthcare industry to tackle this issue. Please reach out to us and we’ll connect with you as soon as possible with more information so we can expand access to care together.

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