Pharmacy closures have surged over the past decade, leaving low-income and rural communities grappling with dwindling access to essential medications. From 2011 to 2021, nearly 30% of U.S. pharmacies shut their doors, with independent stores disproportionately affected, according to a recent report published in Health Affairs.
The data highlights a stark divide: counties with high poverty levels experienced a net loss of 34.3% of pharmacies, compared to a 28% decline in wealthier areas. Independent pharmacies fared worse than chain stores, shuttering at nearly double the rate, with 38.9% closing over the decade.
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