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A bitter pill: national pharmacy closings hinder access, increase risk

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Healthcare Network Southwest Florida

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Posted on

Jan 24, 2025

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Florida - Southwest

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Major pharmacy chains have closed hundreds of locations in the past year, making pharmacy services harder to find in some areas and, where such services are no longer available, creating “pharmacy desserts.” Without a nearby pharmacy, patients may have to travel further and navigate transportation challenges to obtain critical medications.

Access to a convenient pharmacy is vital because adults are taking more prescription medications every year; up to 60% of U.S. adults reported they took at least one prescription drugs. Polypharmacy, where a patient is taking at least 5 medications, is a major risk factor for adverse health outcomes, especially for patients over the age of 65.

Despite representing only 13% of the population, older patients consume approximately 30% of prescription medications and 40% of over-the-counter medications.

Without access to a convenient pharmacy, patients may struggle to obtain life-saving medications, resulting in more cases of unmanaged chronic conditions, extended illness, and sometimes severe health complications. Even delayed access to medications can have serious health consequences, including higher medical costs and health complications.

Often, when a service is no longer available, that is when we recognize how truly important they are.

Pharmacists do more than just dispense medications. They help patients find affordable therapies and provide preventive care services including vaccines and health screenings. Pharmacies also often offer medical supplies and over-the-counter drugs. As people take more medications, pharmacists are at the forefront of medication reconciliation, which includes reviewing all the medications a patient is taking to avoid errors such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors or drug interactions.

Medication therapy management is also a vital service, offering patients education and consultation on their prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements. This helps patients better understand and manage their health.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) like Healthcare Network in Collier County provide additional benefits through their integrated pharmacy services. Healthcare Network has two on-site pharmacies: Nichols Community Health Center in Golden Gate and Marion E. Fether in Immokalee. These locations allow patients to see a provider and fill their prescriptions in the same site. If a prescription is too costly or not covered by insurance, the provider can prescribe an alternative immediately, and refills can be expedited with providers nearby.

For those with complicated medical regimens or multiple medications, pharmacists can organize pills in blister packs to help a patient track what to take and when. Healthcare Network’s pharmacies provide mail-order and prescription delivery services, with support available for patients who speak languages other than English. Our multilingual pharmacy staff and language interpretation services ensure clear communication, allowing us to stay closely connected with patients, offering guidance, education, and encouragement as part of their care team.

Rising medication costs are another significant issue. According to the American Hospital Association, drug prices for nearly 2,000 medications rose between 2022 and 2023 at a rate exceeding inflation, with an average increase of 15.2%. These high costs are particularly burdensome for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals, with estimates indicating that as many as 44% of patients forgo filling prescriptions due to financial constraints.

As an FQHC, Healthcare Network can offer some medications at a reduced price through the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell medications at a lower price to FQHCs. In addition, our pharmacies accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and can help patients apply for available discounts from pharmacy assistance programs.

Providing pharmacy services in areas of Collier County that already lack primary care doctors is one of the many ways that Healthcare Network is increasing access to essential medical care for the community.

About the Author

Dr. Martine Woolley leads pharmacy operations at Healthcare Network, including the Federal 340B discount program, to ensure accessible, high-quality care for patients and families. Her expertise in pharmacy management and commitment to compliance drive excellence and innovation across all services. For more information about Healthcare Network’s pharmacy services, visit HealthcareSWFL.org.

By Martine Woolley, PharmD, MS, MBA, Vice President of Pharmacy

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