When someone in rural America loses their local pharmacy, their nearest option may become a 40-minute drive away. For someone juggling health issues and limited transportation, that’s more than an inconvenience, it’s a barrier to care. And this is happening more often than we think.
Across the country, pharmacy closures are creating “pharmacy deserts”, leaving families without easy access to trusted pharmacists. The numbers are stark: 7,000 pharmacies have closed since 2019, with 2,700 closures occurring in just the last two years alone, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
But behind the statistics are real people, like older Americans who may no longer drive, or parents who suddenly have to take off work to travel across town. And in each case, printed prescription information often becomes the lifeline – providing safe dosing reminders and instructions when no pharmacist is around to answer questions.
So why is this happening? Closures are often driven by rising costs, consolidation, and shifting insurance practices. The result: fewer pharmacies, overwhelmed staff at those that remain, and longer waits for patients. Here’s the bigger question: what happens when a community loses its last pharmacy? Longer drives. Higher risk of missed doses. And more pressure on patients to navigate complex medication regimens on their own.
That’s why the bipartisan Patient’s Right to Know Their Medication Act is so important. The bill ensures patients can always receive printed prescription information at the counter, no matter where they live or what technology they have access to. It’s a safeguard that helps keep people safe when access to care gets harder.
Printed medication information can’t replace a pharmacist’s guidance, but it helps fill the gap. When pharmacies close, those paper instructions at the counter ensure patients still have clear, reliable directions in hand.
Communities deserve better than pharmacy deserts. Until policymakers take a closer look at what’s driving closures, printed prescription information – and commonsense solutions like the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act – will remain essential safeguards for patients everywhere.
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