State Telepharmacy Policies and Pharmacy Deserts.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Pharmacy deserts have increased, potentially affecting patient access and care. Historically, telepharmacies have been used to reduce pharmacy deserts to restore access, but states frequently restrict their operation.

Objective

To analyze whether telepharmacy policy is associated with pharmacy deserts and access to pharmacy services.

Design, setting, and participants

This cohort study analyzed pharmacy location and census data from 2016 through 2019 for US states with new telepharmacy policies. Nearby control states were used for comparison in a pretest-posttest nonequivalent group design. Statistical analysis was performed from January 2022 to July 2023.

Exposure

Intervention states were selected if a change in telepharmacy policy was adopted in 201

SUBMITTER: Urick BY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10425826 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature