Month: September 2022

Update on Rural Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in the United States, 2003-2021

Date: September 1, 2022

Update on Rural Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in the United States, 2003-2021

Nearly half of rural pharmacies are independently owned retail stores and are susceptible to closing due to financial hardship. This policy brief builds on the history of Rural Policy Research Institute projects examining the provision of pharmacy services and updates pharmacy closure in rural areas of the United States. Monthly data on all institutions providing pharmacy services in the 50 states and District of Columbia were obtained from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs.

Key Findings:

  • Between 2003 and 2021, the number of retail pharmacies declined in noncore rural areas by 9.8 percent, and in rural micropolitan areas by 4.4 percent, while the number in metropolitan areas increased by 15.1 percent during the same period.
  • Between 2003 and 2021, the number of independently owned retail pharmacies declined in noncore areas by 16.1 percent, and in micropolitan areas by 9.1 percent, while the number in metropolitan areas increased by 28.2 percent during the same period.
  • Between 2003 and 2021, the number of chain pharmacies grew in all three geographies, with the largest growth occurring in metropolitan areas (noncore: 4.6 percent, micropolitan: 3.7 percent, metropolitan: 10.5 percent).
  • Franchise pharmacies have never represented a large segment of the market (1.1 percent of all retail pharmacies in 2021), but their number declined dramatically in all three geographies from 2003 to 2021.

Contact Information:

Keith J. Mueller, PhD
RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Phone: 319.384.3832
keith-mueller@uiowa.edu

Additional Resources of Interest:

Providing High-Quality Support to Pregnant People and Their Families in Racially Diverse Rural Communities

Date: August 29, 2022

Providing High-Quality Support to Pregnant People and Their Families in Racially Diverse Rural Communities

Compared with urban birthing people, rural residents experience higher rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity. Rural residents who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have the highest maternal mortality and infant mortality rates in the country. At the same time as mortality and morbidity are rising, a steady trend of rural hospital and maternity unit closures has reduced access to care for pregnant rural residents. Still, some rural communities thrive, providing high-quality support to pregnant people, parents, infants, and families. This case series highlights examples from racially diverse rural communities, where hospitals and health systems with obstetric units strive to meet patient needs and provide evidence-based, supportive services during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Contact Information:

Mariana Story Tuttle, MPH
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 612.626.8401
tuttl090@umn.edu

Additional Resources of Interest: