Category: Pharmacy Access

Fewer pharmacies found on Chicago’s South and West sides, an analysis finds

WBEZ Chicago, By Cheyanne Daniels, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, August 3, 2022 Even as drug stores are providing more vital services — including COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, contraceptive counseling and wellness visits — a recent study shows communities on Chicago’s South and West sides have fewer pharmacy locations than other parts of the city. These areas…Continue Reading Fewer pharmacies found on Chicago’s South and West sides, an analysis finds

LA pharmacies fall short on Plan B and other contraceptive access

KCRW, July 2, 2022 Janaya Williams The Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has some people worried that access to birth control will be next on the chopping block. But beyond the legal ramifications of a post-Roe nation, there are already major barriers to accessing contraception even in blue states like California and liberal…Continue Reading LA pharmacies fall short on Plan B and other contraceptive access

Women and Adolescent Girls Face Barriers Accessing Contraceptives – Even in Blue States Like California

USC Schaeffer Center, June 24, 2022 The recent Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade will likely result in 26 states implementing laws that restrict or ban access to abortion services. In many of these states, the legislation is so sweeping, it will also impact emergency contraceptives like Plan-B—also known as the “morning after”…Continue Reading Women and Adolescent Girls Face Barriers Accessing Contraceptives – Even in Blue States Like California

FTC Launches Inquiry Into Prescription Drug Middlemen Industry

FTC, June 7, 2022 Agency to Scrutinize the Impact of Vertically Integrated Pharmacy Benefit Managers on the Access and Affordability of Medicine The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it will launch an inquiry into the prescription drug middleman industry, requiring the six largest pharmacy benefit managers to provide information and records regarding their business…Continue Reading FTC Launches Inquiry Into Prescription Drug Middlemen Industry

Pandemic highlights importance in fighting ‘pharmacy deserts,’ especially in communities of color

ABC Action News Tampa Bay, February 22, 2022 By  Chris Stewart “A pharmacy desert is a neighborhood where the majority of the population lives more than a mile or a half a mile–depending on their income and vehicle ownership–from their nearest pharmacy in urban areas,” said University of Southern California associate professor Dima Qato. Qato…Continue Reading Pandemic highlights importance in fighting ‘pharmacy deserts,’ especially in communities of color

Access for All

AACP, February 14, 2022 By Jane E. Rooney As pharmacy deserts proliferate, more must be done to examine barriers to access and prepare future pharmacists to address the needs of underserved communities. The term “pharmacy deserts” is popping up with greater frequency as pharmacy closures become more widespread and independent pharmacies struggle to survive in…Continue Reading Access for All

One Chicago pharmacy avoids creating another drugstore desert by tapping into its deep roots

Fortune, December 22, 2021. By Markian Hawryluk and Kaiser Health News Like other community pharmacists nationwide, Muldrow has seen private insurers steer his customers toward their own allied chain, mail-order and specialty pharmacies. Urban independent pharmacies, particularly those in low-income Black and Latino communities, have been more likely to close than chain drugstores. “There’s really no financial…Continue Reading One Chicago pharmacy avoids creating another drugstore desert by tapping into its deep roots

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’