Vulnerability Index Approach to Identify Pharmacy Deserts and Keystone Pharmacies.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Community pharmacies are crucial for public health, providing essential services such as medication dispensing, vaccinations, and point-of-care testing. Addressing disparities in pharmacy access, particularly in underserved rural and low-income areas, is critical for health equity.

Objective

To identify areas in the US at risk of becoming pharmacy deserts through the development of a novel pharmacy vulnerability index.

Design, setting, and participants

This population-based cross-sectional study in the contiguous 48 states performed geographic information systems analysis of pharmacy data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) dataQ. Participants included all open-door pharmacies (community or retail pharmacies open to the general

SUBMITTER: Mathis WS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11907307 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature