The number of independently-owned retail pharmacies in metropolitan areas increased by 28% between 20 but declined by 16% in noncore rural areas, according to the federally-funded Rural Health Research Centers. Research shows location plays a significant role in closures. “I'm concerned that without the help from the COVID vaccinations that everyone needed, these pharmacies that were able to tough it out for another year or two might not be able to continue,” Hoey said. Spokespeople for the companies told USA TODAY they take many factors into consideration when shuttering stores, such as customer buying habits and local market dynamics.Īs for independent pharmacies, data from the National Community Pharmacists Association shows their numbers have remained relatively flat between 20.ĭoug Hoey, the association's CEO, said business from the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of surrounding chain pharmacies helped keep numbers stable, but he worries this is a short-term trend. In 2019, Walgreens announced plans to close 200 stores but declined to share additional numbers. Rite Aid spokesperson Catherine Carter said the chain is also reducing its retail footprint and has closed more than 150 stores across 17 states since late 2021. How many pharmacies are closing?Ĭustomers are also facing mass store closures among some of the largest pharmacy chains in the nation.ĬVS said it is on track to close 300 stores in 2022, chipping away at a goal to shutter 900 stores over the next three years. Compensation for pharmacists fell nearly 5% in 2021 after adjusting for inflation, according to the New York Times. “So pharmacists leave, and stores have to shorten" their hours.Ī lack of pay raises could also play a role. The stress level and burnout is high,” Qato said. “There are multiple stories about pharmacists just getting overwhelmed. The bureau forecasts about 13,600 job openings for pharmacists each year on average over the next decade. The number of pharmacists employed by pharmacies and drug stores dropped 6% between 20, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Staffing challenges are also hitting mom-and-pop pharmacies, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents more than 19,000 independent pharmacies.Īn August report from the association found more than three-quarters of roughly 360 surveyed independent pharmacy owners and managers say they have a hard time filling open positions, resulting in higher payroll costs and longer wait times for patients. Pharmacies post-Roe: Walgreens, CVS pharmacists are withholding medications for people post-Roe "It's affecting older adults, those of low socioeconomic status and racial and ethnic minorities the most." "It becomes a vacuum where you have patients who can't get the services they used to get," said Cheryl Wisseh, an assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of California, Irvine. Major chains like Walgreens and Rite Aid say they've had to curb operating hours due to a national labor shortage. Experts say this shift – along with retail pharmacy closures – can hinder access to prescriptions, especially for low-income patients. “I was kind of surprised to see it now being a bigger problem.” During the height of COVID, they actually stayed open when I would expect them to have problems,” the 57-year-old California resident told USA TODAY. He was greeted with a third sign when he showed up to his rescheduled appointment, this one telling him the store was closed because of a family emergency. Again, a sign told him the store was closed for the day. 25, he booked another appointment for the following Monday and headed to the store to pick up a prescription. 21 and showed up at his local Walgreens at the designated time – only to be met with a sign noting it was closed. Randy Florschuetz thought his annual flu shot would be a quick errand. Watch Video: Why CVS, Walgreens are facing backlash over their birth control policy
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