Pharmacy Closures Create “Deserts” Nationwide — How Patients Can Fight Back

Pharmacy in a desert with tumbleweeds.

Tufts Now – Online Article – October 20, 2025

Retail pharmacies across America are facing a full-blown crisis. Over the past four years, the nation’s three largest chains — CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens — have closed nearly 3,000 locations, according to the 2025 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

In Greater Boston, almost 15,000 residents now live in “pharmacy deserts” — neighborhoods where the nearest drugstore is more than half a mile away and most people don’t own a car. For seniors, low-income families, and people managing chronic illnesses, that distance can mean missed refills and worsening health.

A Perfect Storm Behind the Closures

Experts say the pharmacy crisis stems from a mix of economic pressures, workforce shortages, and shifting delivery models.

“People only see the closed signs,” explained Paul Beninger, professor of public health at Tufts University. “But behind every closure is a complex story about staffing, consolidation, and unfair business practices.”

Prescription sales remain enormous — $683 billion in 2024 — but the money increasingly flows through mail-order networks and corporate middlemen rather than community pharmacies.

Staffing Shortages Strain Traditional Pharmacies

There simply aren’t enough pharmacists to go around. Many experienced professionals are retiring, while new graduates gravitate toward higher-paying pharmaceutical or research jobs. The result: short-staffed stores, burned-out employees, and longer wait times for patients.

Online Giants Disrupt the Market

Adding pressure are online and telehealth platforms like Amazon Pharmacy and Walmart Health. These companies leverage vast inventory systems, preferred pricing, and advanced logistics to compete on cost and convenience.

Some telehealth startups even combine virtual doctor visits with compounding services, allowing patients to order generic alternatives or custom formulations — including versions of popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications — for a fraction of retail prices.

While digital access can help some patients, not all online sellers follow FDA standards. Experts warn consumers to research vendors carefully and remain cautious of offers that seem “too good to be true.”

The PBM Problem

At the heart of the crisis are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — the powerful middlemen who decide which drugs are covered, how much pharmacies get paid, and how much patients owe.

The three largest PBMs — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts (Cigna), and OptumRx (UnitedHealth Group) — now control nearly 80% of the prescription market. This consolidation gives them enormous leverage to steer business to their own mail-order or affiliated pharmacies while squeezing independents with low reimbursements and hidden fees.

According to the American Medical Association, this lack of competition and vertical integration poses a serious threat to both patients and small pharmacies.

What This Means for Patients

When a community pharmacy disappears, patients lose more than a pickup window — they lose a trusted healthcare partner. Pharmacies often serve as the most accessible medical touchpoint for people managing diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.

In areas without pharmacies, residents struggle to:

Access essential medications and vaccines
Receive medication counseling or blood-pressure checks
Manage chronic conditions without delay

For many, the closure of a local pharmacy means choosing between medication, groceries, or gas to reach the next town.

How Patients Can Take Control

There is hope. Experts highlight several ways patients can protect themselves and access affordable care:

Explore patient-assistance programs. Most major drugmakers now offer direct-to-patient aid for individuals with limited income.
Ask your doctor about alternatives. Many conditions can be managed with older or generic drugs that cost far less.
Research clinical-trial options. Participating in trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies without the burden of insurance costs.
Stay informed. Speak regularly with your pharmacist or physician about coverage changes, refill delays, or new discount programs.

RescueMeds’ Mission: Keeping Access Alive

At RescueMeds, we believe patients should never face delays or denials because of PBM interference or pharmacy closures. Our team ensures that injured workers and vulnerable patients receive same- or next-day medications — at no cost to them — even when traditional pharmacies are out of reach.

As pharmacy deserts expand, RescueMeds fills the gap, bringing timely, transparent, and compassionate care directly to those who need it most.

Because access to medicine isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline.

Join us today. Sign the Petition, send us your email and let’s keep local pharmacies in our neighborhoods.

Rescuemeds