Ever had a bad headache and just needed an ibuprofen, but the nearest pharmacy is at least an hour away? If that sounds familiar, your area might be turning into a pharmacy desert. Just like food deserts, pharmacy deserts are areas where it’s nearly impossible to find a pharmacy or get basic healthcare, and this is affecting more than half of the U.S. right now. According to GoodRx Research, around 50 million people live in pharmacy deserts, and this is no small issue because the trend is getting worse. So, how would you know if your area is at risk? Here are 9 signs to watch for:
1. Local Pharmacies Closing Their Doors
One of the obvious signs is when your local independent pharmacy starts hinting about closing up shop, whether it’s just for a while or for good. These kinds of pharmacies are deeply connected with their communities. Pharmacists probably know you by name, offer personalized services, and carry unique medicine you won’t easily find anywhere else. That’s why their closure would mean something bigger and far more concerning: either they cannot keep up with the financial hardships of the community, or they are unable to compete with retail chains and popular companies.
2. Earlier Closing Times
Say your local pharmacy hasn’t closed yet, but now it has gone from the usual 24/7 to only being open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It actually sounds concerning when your local pharmacy closes earlier than your favorite late-late-night show. Earlier closing times or even clearing weekends away may mean less manpower, profitability issues, or even cost-cutting; this could really affect people who work late hours and need access to medicine or help during emergencies. This subtle but significant change may force residents to file leaves or just delay their essential medications.
3. Decreasing Number of Pharmacists
Waiting in line to get your medicine is already a hassle, more so if you are feeling sick at the moment. There are also times when pharmacists seem rushed, which makes the service feel impersonal. If that’s happening, they’re probably dealing with more workload than they’re supposed to. This shortage is often caused by fewer local candidates, low pay, or better job opportunities elsewhere. If all hands are on deck, but they’re just as countable as one’s fingers, these hands will leave because of burnout.
4. Supplies Running Low
It’s frustrating that you wait in line, and then when it’s your turn, the pharmacist sees your prescription and says, “Oh, we’re out of stock,” or “I’m sorry, we will receive this brand by next week.” When your once-reliable pharmacy slowly delays your medicine, it may not be a good sign. While there may be supply chain issues, these local pharmacies often order less of their stock due to the decreasing number of people entering their stores, or what we call “foot traffic,” and scaling back of operations, which can be dangerous, unnecessarily stressful, and risky, especially for those who need constant medications.
5. Longer Trips
If getting your prescription takes more time and effort than it should, it might be a warning sign. This happens when nearer options are closed, leaving other facilities a long way away. This can be a big problem, especially for those without cars, older customers, and anyone with mobility issues. Instead of following a routine of going to the local pharmacy and getting your prescription right away, you will now consider looking for the nearest available store, worry about travel time, and whether they’ll even have what you need.
6. Limited Common Products
If you find the over-the-counter medicine shelves lacking, or maybe the first aid essentials and other personal care items are missing, you may start getting cautious, since a healthy pharmacy is not just about giving prescriptions. A good local pharmacy provides everything for medical and even personal care. If the common products are unavailable or disorganized, this usually means that the store has a poor inventory or just a shift in focus away from general retail. When that happens, pharmacies with this situation will no longer serve the community as well as they should.
7. Specialized Services No Longer in the Picture
Modern pharmacies don’t just fill prescriptions. They can provide services to help with vaccination, chronic disease support, and even monitoring blood pressure. But if your local pharmacy has suddenly stopped offering these services, it could be a bad sign. This happens because of issues with the management, lack of funding, or a business decision to provide the services somewhere else. While this may be an opportunity for the pharmacies to focus on prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, this actually defeats their mission to be a holistic healthcare provider, since residents are forced to look for the same services in other stores.
8. Seniors with Poor Transportation
Older people usually need more medications. Add to that, getting around can be a hassle, whether it’s walking or driving. Because of that, areas with aging populations often are more prone to turning into pharmacy deserts. The elderly and those people with mobility issues may feel frustrated when getting into a pharmacy, especially when there’s not enough quality public transportation. Old people living in a community with poor transportation creates a critical access gap, since it’s pretty ironic to know that those who need the medications the most cannot get them immediately. It emphasizes that the two factors, when combined, can worsen the problem.
9. Empty Retails Spaces
That’s why they call it a pharmacy desert. Those spaces that were once thriving local and independent pharmacies are now just empty lots or closed buildings. These vacant properties aren’t just eyesores but a visual representation that businesses don’t want to do business in your town anymore. Cities and towns are supposed to be filled in with establishments and stores that can aid the people in their daily living. The real concern is when these spaces remain vacant for months or even years. It just tells you that your area is no longer viable and profitable. Watch out; it can be a warning sign in the future.
Discover more DIY hacks and style inspo- Follow us to keep the glow-up coming to your feed!
Love content like this? Tap Follow at the top of the page to stay in the loop with the latest beauty trends, DIY tips, and style inspo. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments — we love hearing from you!