Pharmacy Deserts

As pharmacy deserts grow, digital-first pharmacies like Amazon offer a solution to care gaps.

October 27, 2024

‍

40% of all U.S. counties are considered pharmacy deserts, where people must drive more than 15 minutes to reach nearby pharmacies.

‍

These areas where folks don’t have convenient access to a pharmacy can pose serious health risks in older adults since they’re less likely to take medication and disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods.

‍

To make the problem worse, major pharmacy chains are downsizing. CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, all struggling with decreased profits from prescription drugs due to lower reimbursement rates, have announced plans to close thousands of unprofitable stores over the coming years.

‍

Amazon could be the big winner in this situation. Last week, the company announced plans to expand its drug delivery business to more cities to fill the gaps where these pharmacy deserts persist.