{"id":634385,"date":"2025-12-04T09:15:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T14:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634385"},"modified":"2026-02-20T08:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T13:53:07","slug":"how-pharmacists-can-bridge-pharmacy-gaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-pharmacists-can-bridge-pharmacy-gaps\/","title":{"rendered":"How pharmacists can help bridge pharmacy gaps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to medication shouldn\u2019t have to depend on where you live. However, for many patients, the walk or drive to the closest pharmacy is becoming increasingly longer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy deserts affect millions across the country, especially underserved low-income and minority communities. In some places, patients have to travel surprisingly far just to fill basic prescriptions. Advocacy, new service models, and a bit of out-of-the-box thinking from pharmacists could help bridge some of these gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-pharmacy-deserts-and-where-are-they\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are pharmacy deserts, and where are they?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11034534\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Americans live in pharmacy deserts, which is about 5% of the country, and the problem isn\u2019t limited to a few states. Some people have to drive more than 15 minutes just to reach a pharmacy, making it difficult to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/most-popular-prescription-drug-every-state-singlecare\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fill prescriptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or shop around for a better price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy deserts are areas where people have difficulty accessing a pharmacy. These areas have limited options for picking up prescriptions and other pharmacy services. While some patients live more than a mile from the closest pharmacy in big cities, out in rural America, that gap can stretch past 10 miles, or sometimes much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy deserts aren\u2019t spread out evenly. Certain communities and low-income neighborhoods may struggle the most. These areas tend to have a higher proportion of uninsured residents and fewer residents with a post-secondary education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, big cities aren\u2019t immune. Major chains, such as Walgreens, have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/stores-closing-in-2025-list\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closed hundreds of stores<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leaving new gaps behind in urban areas. Without sufficient pharmacists nearby, many locals may lack the necessary support for their healthcare needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Demographic or regional examples of communities affected include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black and Latino neighborhoods in major cities\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rural counties with declining populations\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Areas with high poverty or unemployment rates\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communities with limited public transit or car ownership<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-the-lack-of-access-affects-patients\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How the lack of access affects patients<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lack of access to a pharmacy can affect patients in different ways. It can affect not only their ability to get their medications but also their overall health outcomes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"reduced-medication-adherence-and-delayed-refills\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced medication adherence and delayed refills<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients who cannot easily access a pharmacy may skip doses or delay refills. Long drives can make it a hassle to pick up medications on time, and many <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4265215\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rely on family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or public transit to get to pharmacies. If those options disappear, prescriptions just don\u2019t get filled.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"worsened-chronic-disease-outcomes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worsened chronic disease outcomes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor access to medication can cause a dangerous cycle. People with diabetes can see their blood sugar spike when they miss insulin. Antihypertensives only work when patients take them every day, and skipping doses may increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes. Hospital visits can become the only option for problems that could\u2019ve been prevented.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"limited-preventive-care-and-health-screenings\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited preventive care and health screenings<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients do more than just fill their prescriptions at pharmacies. They often stop by the pharmacy to receive flu shots, have their blood pressure checked, and undergo other health screenings. Patients often forgo getting these check-ins without a nearby pharmacy, and as a result, seemingly minor health issues may go unnoticed until they develop into something more serious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8318157\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preventive or monitoring services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> done at pharmacies may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-your-pharmacy-for-cold-and-flu-season\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, shingles, and COVID-19 vaccines\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking cessation counseling\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control and emergency contraception access<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"financial-and-emotional-stress\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial and emotional stress<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traveling farther to fill prescriptions means extra time and money. For many families, this can add significant financial pressure. It can also cause stress or anxiety about missing doses, especially for those who are juggling work and kids.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"reduced-medication-safety\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced medication safety<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists are key to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12286251\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">catching drug interactions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and clarifying how to take medications safely. Patients who don\u2019t have regular access to a pharmacy may not have that safety net. Mistakes in dosing or interactions may lead to more significant health problems down the line without regular check-ins with a pharmacist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These effects are not mutually exclusive. Some patients may experience multiple negative effects simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-pharmacy-deserts-exist\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why pharmacy deserts exist<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several factors may contribute to pharmacy closures, creating areas where people have difficulty accessing prescription medications. These factors may include economic hardships and geographic challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"economic-problems\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic problems<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many pharmacies may struggle to stay open, especially independent ones. Insurance companies may not be paying enough to cover rent, staff, or inventory. Increased competition and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-help-patients-navigate-online-pharmacies-safely\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online shopping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also changing patient habits. If a pharmacy can\u2019t stay in the green, locations may shut down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"rural-hurdles\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rural hurdles<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rural areas may face direct challenges due to their location. Fewer patients reside there, making it challenging to operate a profitable pharmacy. Delivery costs also increase, and travel times can be lengthy. When the numbers stop adding up, these places may lose their only pharmacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"digital-divide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital divide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online pharmacies and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/telepharmacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">telepharmacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sound promising, but many patients in underserved areas may not have reliable internet or aren\u2019t comfortable with digital health tools. Older adults and low-income families may find that online prescription services are out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local pharmacies are part of the backbone of health care in many communities. A lack of them could spell out trouble for many patients.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"turning-gaps-into-opportunities-for-pharmacists\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turning gaps into opportunities for pharmacists<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gaps in medication access provide pharmacists with opportunities to assist patients in need. That could mean suggesting different solutions in their own pharmacies or joining other projects that help reduce pharmacy deserts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile and telehealth programs can be helpful solutions. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12226912\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile pharmacy vans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bring medications and basic health checks right to underserved neighborhoods. Pop-up vaccine clinics at schools or churches can also reach people where they already are. Telepharmacy enables pharmacists to counsel patients remotely, which can be particularly helpful for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pharmacy-medication-management\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medication reviews<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other potential pharmacist-led ideas may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication adherence programs via text or app reminders\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home delivery or drive-up refill services\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partnerships with food banks or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pharmacist-role-in-senior-care\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">senior centers\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grant-funded mobile health units serving rural areas<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists can also offer preventive care and screenings in underserved areas by teaming up with local clinics or other community health centers. Public health departments may also need help with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pharmacist-role-in-vaccine-innovation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vaccine drives<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Nonprofits can provide funding or volunteers for outreach programs that pinpoint specific needs of the community.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"advocacy-and-next-steps\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocacy and next steps<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists can help make impactful changes by getting involved in conversations about policy. Many lawmakers don&#8217;t fully understand the impact of pharmacy deserts on communities, but a pharmacist can articulate the actual effects on patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"talk-to-patients-directly\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to patients directly<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-build-a-pharmacist-patient-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get to know<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which patients are struggling to reach your pharmacy or afford their medications. Consider tracking refill delays or frequent transfers to identify small \u201cdeserts\u201d within your own community. Share that data with local health departments, doctors\u2019 offices, or community boards, as they may not realize the severity of the access gaps until someone in the field brings it to their attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"build-local-connections\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Build local connections<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is an abundance of local resources pharmacists can use to help advocate for reduced pharmacy deserts. Local pharmacies can share delivery routes with one another or coordinate outreach for patients who live farther out. Pharmacists can also partner with local nonprofits or churches to set up vaccine or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/community-engagement\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brown bag events<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"advocate-at-the-state-level\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocate at the state level<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists can directly advocate by joining their state pharmacy association\u2019s advocacy committees or attending legislative days. Issues like PBM reform and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmacist.com\/Advocacy\/Issues\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fair reimbursement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can directly affect access. It may be helpful to share personal stories to demonstrate the credibility of these efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"educate-patients-on-their-options\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educate patients on their options<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teach patients about trying mail-order options or synchronizing medication pick-up days to reduce travel. Automatic refills or 90-day supplies can help reduce missed doses for those living farther away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small actions can add up. Advocacy isn\u2019t only about policy but about using your role as a pharmacist to remove barriers one partnership or conversation at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"bottom-line\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bottom line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription access isn&#8217;t the same for everyone in the United States. Pharmacy deserts leave millions of Americans without easy access to the medications and care they need. Patients may end up skipping refills or paying higher costs just to stay on their treatment plan. The problem may come from a mix of economic pressures and policy barriers. Still, pharmacists can help close these gaps through mobile or telehealth services and local advocacy that brings care back to where it\u2019s needed most.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Access to medication shouldn\u2019t have to depend on where you live. However, for many patients, the walk or drive to the closest pharmacy is becoming increasingly longer.\u00a0 Pharmacy deserts affect millions across the country, especially underserved low-income and minority communities. In some places, patients have to travel surprisingly far just to fill basic prescriptions. Advocacy, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":634475,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[743],"coauthors":[8669],"class_list":["post-634385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-checkout","tag-pharmacies","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How pharmacists can prevent pharmacy gaps<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pharmacy desserts make it difficult for patients to access prescriptions and result in increased health risks. 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