Community Pharmacy Closures in the U.S.: Examining Contributing Factors and Workforce Impacts
Description:
Community pharmacies, once among the most accessible and trusted sites of care, are now closing at a rapid rate in the United States—reducing access to essential medications, routine health services, and trusted health professionals, particularly in rural communities. The annual rate of closures among community pharmacies has reportedly been increasing, which has contributed to a range of personal and professional impacts on the community pharmacy workforce, including decreased job opportunities and increased stress. Building on prior UW CHWS studies on the pharmacy workforce, this study examined whether factors such as patient care services offered, payment models, and hours of operations influence whether community pharmacies remain open or closed using the National Council for Prescription Drug Plans (NCPDP) DataQ dataset and describe subsequent effects on the pharmacy workforce supply.
Publication under review.
Lead Researcher: Jennifer Bacci, PharmD, MPH, BCACP
Contact Info: jbacci@uw.edu
Funder:
HRSA: HWRC Allied Health
Status:
Complete
Publications/Presentations
| Authors | Title | Type | Date | Documents/Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oster NV, Bacci J, Dunlap BS, Skillman SM, Frogner BK | Workforce Impacts of Community Pharmacy Closures In the United States | PRESENTATION | 06-01-2026 |