Category: News

Pharmacy Deserts Hinder Medications Access in Segregated Black and Latino Neighborhoods

Public Health Post, December 2, 2021. Pharmacies are an important part of the health care system because they dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications and increasingly provide preventative services, including Covid-19 testing and immunization. However, geographic access to pharmacies varies throughout the US, especially in segregated American cities. Disparities in pharmacy access impact medication adherence, or…Continue Reading Pharmacy Deserts Hinder Medications Access in Segregated Black and Latino Neighborhoods

What do CVS store closures say about the future of pharmacies?

NPR Morning Report, November 19, 2021. Caroline Champlain– CVS says it is planning to close about 900 stores over the next three years, starting in 2022. The company says it’s an effort to review the retail side of its business, and focus on more health care services. But when it comes to choosing which stores…Continue Reading What do CVS store closures say about the future of pharmacies?

60% of Indianapolis neighborhoods are ‘pharmacy deserts’

Fox 59 News, October 25, 2021. INDIANAPOLIS– For many Hoosiers, filling their prescriptions can be a roadblock to getting healthier. That’s because many Indiana cities don’t have a pharmacy in their neighborhood. Dr. Dima Qato, from USC’s School of Pharmacy, coined the term pharmacy desert. She explained to Edmé the pandemic further impacted this health…Continue Reading 60% of Indianapolis neighborhoods are ‘pharmacy deserts’

Event Recap | Transformation Series: Evolution of the Pharmacist | 9.24.2021

Health Care Council of Chicago, September 24, 2021. On September 24, the Health Care Council of Chicago (HC3) hosted a discussion to address challenges to medication compliance, address barriers to medication access, and examine the solutions and opportunities there are to address these inequities through innovation and policy-reform. Event Recap Panelist Introductions Dima M. Qato,…Continue Reading Event Recap | Transformation Series: Evolution of the Pharmacist | 9.24.2021

NCPA partners with USC School of Pharmacy on access efforts

NCPA. September 9, 2021. The National Community Pharmacists Association is working with the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics to tackle barriers to pharmacy access, including closures. The organizations’ Pharmacy Access Initiative will generate real-time information for various officials, academics and industry leaders to…Continue Reading NCPA partners with USC School of Pharmacy on access efforts

Opioid Overdose Risk Appears Higher in Older Americans, USC Study Indicates

USC Press Room, September 8, 2021. One in 10 adults were at risk of overdose, with older Americans relying on high doses of opioids more than younger adults, researchers found in a national sample of prescription claims. Recent research led by USC School of Pharmacy Associate Professor Dima M. Qato aims to fill that knowledge gap. The…Continue Reading Opioid Overdose Risk Appears Higher in Older Americans, USC Study Indicates

Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles with fewer pharmacies than whites

LA Times, May 5, 2021. Los Angeles — Experts bring to light that between 2007 and 2015 there were fewer pharmacies for Latino and black communities in the Los Angeles region, compared to the areas where they lived whiter. “We focus on cities due to racial residential characteristics/segregation and the fact that more than 80%…Continue Reading Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles with fewer pharmacies than whites

Fewer pharmacies in urban areas impact residents of color, USC research says

Los Angeles Daily News, May 3, 2021. Pharmacies are increasingly vital points of care for essential health services. In addition to filling prescriptions to treat chronic health conditions, pharmacists dispense emergency doses of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancy and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. “We focused on cities because of racial/ethnic…Continue Reading Fewer pharmacies in urban areas impact residents of color, USC research says

‘Pharmacy deserts’ disproportionately affect Black and Latino residents in largest U.S cities

USC Press Release, May 3, 2021.  Lack of easy access to prescription medications and other pharmacy-based services may contribute to health disparities “One in three neighborhoods throughout these cities were pharmacy deserts, affecting nearly 15 million people,” said Jenny S. Guadamuz, the study’s first author and postdoctoral fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center and the Program…Continue Reading ‘Pharmacy deserts’ disproportionately affect Black and Latino residents in largest U.S cities

Walgreens Not Following U.S. Guidance on Pfizer Vaccine Spacing

NY Times, April 5, 2021. Following complaints from customers and the C.D.C., the pharmacy chain will start scheduling Pfizer vaccine doses three weeks apart. Dima Qato, a pharmacist and associate professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, said she was concerned about how the public perceives inconsistent messages about spacing doses of…Continue Reading Walgreens Not Following U.S. Guidance on Pfizer Vaccine Spacing