Pharmacy closures are becoming increasingly widespread in the U.S., creating a growing number of pharmacy deserts, where access to medications is limited and people might have to travel two or three towns over to pick up prescriptions. For people with complex care needs, who commonly experience challenges with activities of daily living and transportation issues, this can become more than a logistics problem. It’s a barrier to staying healthy, out of a care facility and at home.
According to a study from The Ohio State University, almost half of all counties in the U.S. have at least one pharmacy desert—defined as a 10-mile area without a retail pharmacy.
Several factors contribute to retail pharmacy closures, including increased competition, a shift in supply and demand, growing operational costs, and retail theft. With pharmacy closures throughout the U.S., access is a critical issue.
Lack of access to pharmacy care can influence adherence and medication management, disrupting healthcare delivery and affecting clinical outcomes. Without the right medications, patient health can suffer, potentially resulting in unplanned facility utilization and impacting their ability to age in place.
Matching Patient Need to Level of Care
For patients with chronic care needs who have barriers to activities of daily living and face mobility and transportation issues, it can be extremely difficult to access their medications, when they may not have the ability to walk or shop. And even if they receive their medications, there can still be obstacles to adherence. For example, it can be challenging to remember which pills to take at what times or use an antiquated pill box due to the complexity of their drug routines.
In fact, it is estimated that fewer than half of prescriptions for people with chronic diseases are taken as directed. And annually, poor medication adherence causes 125,000 deaths in the U.S. and costs the healthcare system up to $300 billion in additional medical appointments, ER visits and hospitalizations.
People with chronic conditions require a higher level of care to safely age in place—beyond the traditional retail or mail order pharmacy model. In the U.S., millions of people served by Medicare and Medicaid could benefit from access to enhanced pharmacy services to keep them healthier at home. Some of these services include reoccurring medication reconciliation, time-of-day adherence packaging, medication delivery, monthly medication review and 24/7 access to pharmacist support.
This comprehensive level of care is designed to proactively help patients—and their providers—overcome common challenges associated with polypharmacy.
Providing a Higher Level of Pharmacy Support
A comprehensive approach to pharmacy improves access to care and personalizes medication management to promote safety and efficacy, improve adherence, and reduce risk of medication-related harm. It also has additional benefits for patients, providers and payors, including:
- 40% fewer hospital readmissions
- $2,400 per member per year reduction in total cost of care
- An exceptional patient experience, with 93% of patients agreeing high-touch pharmacy services help them stay healthy at home
Expanding access to pharmacy in the U.S. is key to helping patients remain healthier at home while improving clinical and cost outcomes. But this issue is about more than ensuring patients receive their medications. It’s about providing patients with the right level of care to meet their medical needs. With the right level of care, patients can remain independent and thrive in their communities, enhancing quality of life and bringing peace of mind.
